Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in St. Peters, MO
St. Peters, MO Personal Injury Attorneys
Call 866-382-4167 for a Free Consultation | St. Peters, MO Lawyer for Bicycle Accident
Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in St. Peters, MO. Riding a bicycle is great for our physical and mental well-being. But too frequently, other motorists don't respect the safety of bicyclists and end up causing an accident. If you sustained an injury in a bike accident through no fault of your own, the lawyer for bicycle accident team of Halvorsen Klote is here to help see you through your time of need. We provide expert and sound legal advocacy to clients in St. Peters, MO and throughout the Greater St. Louis area and Southern Illinois. Talking to us is free, and you do not owe us anything unless we win your claim. Speak directly to a qualified and empathetic bicycle accident lawyer by calling 866-382-4167 or by contacting us online.
How Common Are Bicycle Accidents in the St. Peters, MO Area?
In 2020, there were 938 bicyclists killed in motor vehicle wrecks in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the highest total since 1987. According to research from the National Safety Council, that same year there were 325,173 bicyclists injured in nonfatal accidents. Kids ages five to 14 are the most likely to sustain an injury, while deaths were most common in riders between 55 and 64 years old.
In Missouri, in 406 total crashes, 351 people sustained nonfatal injuries and six people perished, according to the Missouri Traffic Safety Compendium. In Illinois, there were 2,180 bicycle wrecks, which resulted in 28 fatalities and 1,995 injuries
In both states, highly populated areas with more vehicle traffic see most bike crashes. Thirty-one percent of bike crashes occur between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., when visibility is at its lowest.
While bicycle accidents account for only one percent of trips taken by American commuters, annually they account for more than twice that in traffice-related deaths. The discrepancy points to the ruinous destruction drivers can cause when they don't pay attention on the road, and how important safety measures like helmets and lighting are.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in St. Peters, MO?
Each accident is unique, but most bike crashes are caused by motorist error or unsafe road conditions. Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents we see are:
- Drivers neglecting to to pay attention
- Drivers neglecting to to yield the right of way
- Drivers neglecting to to obey bike lane laws
- Drivers passing dangerously
- Opening a door after parking on the side of the street seeing if a biker is coming
- Reckless driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Poorly placed road signs
- Road hazards
- Insufficiently zoned-off construction sites
- Pedestrians forcing a bicyclist to swerve
- Faulty car or bike components
While intersections are the most common place to see or experience a bike accident, a National Transport Safety Board report stated that accidents on the side of the road cause more serious injuries because the speeds are higher than at intersections because of stop signs, traffic lights or turning vehicles. Your St. Peters, MO bike accident lawyer at Halvorsen Klote will carry out a comprehensive investigation into your accident to determine the cause of your injuries and who we need to seek compensation from.
What Are Common Injuries from St. Peters, MO Bicycle Accidents?
Bicyclists are more likely to sustain severe injuries than anyone else on the road. We've helped secure maximum financial recoveries for people with:
- Brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Fractures
- Internal injuries
- Nerve damage
- Joint injuries such as sprains
Because bicycle injuries often require extensive medical treatment and a lot of time off work, you need experienced and dedicated bicycle accident lawyers like those at Halvorsen Klote to ensure that you are not taken advantage of by the insurance company. In the worst accidents, if you suffer the wrongful death of a family member in the St. Peters, MO area, we will stand by your side and help you find some form of peace and secure your future.
Who is At Fault for My Bicycle Accident Injuries in St. Peters, MO?
Who owes you a recovery depends on the the different aspects that led to your accident. Each injury is different, and as such the liable party varies. In some cases there is more than one person or organization is at fault, and a dedicated bicycle accident lawyer will investigate your claim and hold each party accountable for the percentage of blame they share. Some of the parties we have successfully secured compensation from in bicycle accidents include:
A Car, Motorcycle or Truck Driver
Car, truck and motorcycle drivers can often cause bicycle accidents by think they own the road and bicyclists do not. But the road is for everyone, and if you are injured by a motorist the same liability in car accidents applies. For instance, if someone causes an accident because they were distracted by using their phone, they would be responsible for your injuries in a civil claim.
Both Illinois and Missouri have rules of the road for how drivers are supposed to interact with bicyclists, such as allowing them space in the street when bike lanes are not present. According to the legal doctrine of negligence per se, someone violates a state statute and injures someone else is liable as a matter of law. So if injured because someone hit you with their car door without looking, your lawyer for bicycle accident will only have to prove that the accident caused your injuries, and the insurance company will likely be more motivated to offer a fair recovery.
A Faulty or Motor Vehicle Parts
If your result was the result of a defective product, such as tires, an engineer, manufacturer and/or vendor may be liable in a product liability claim. Both bicycle and motor vehicle manufacturers are required to design and manufacture safe products and issue recalls whenever a component is found to be unsafe. If they fail to, they are liable for your damages.
A Trucking or Other Commercial Company
If you are injured by a commercial driver, you may be able to make a claim against both the driver and their employer. For example, if a trucking company hired an unqualified driver, they would be responsible for a percentage of your compensation.
A Government Entity
Governmental entities at the state, local and federal levels need to keep our St. Peters, MO roadways free of unreasonable dangers. If a hazard such as a pothole contributed to your accident, you may be able to make a claim against a government entity with the help of your St. Peters, MO bicycle accident lawyer. A claim against the government is different in many ways than filing a claim with an individual or company's insurance company, so it is important to reach out to an attorney as soon as possible in order to make your claim.
In Missouri, a public transport operator may also be liable. Pursuant to Missouri Revised Statute §537.600, public workers who injure somebody while operating a motor vehicle are not given sovereign immunity like other public employees are in personal injury cases. Unfortunately, in Illinois, according to 745 ILCS 10/ you cannot sue a public employee unless you can prove that they deliberately harmed you.
What Are My St. Peters, MO Bicycle Accident Injuries Worth?
There are numerous factors that determine what, and how much, you can recover for your bicycle accident injuries:
- The scope of your injuries — More serious injuries lead to higher medical bills, which you will be compensated for. Surgeries will lead to much higher compensation than a an appointment or two with your primary care doctor. Did your bicycle accident lead to a knee replacement? That will have to be replaced in 15-20 years, and your Halvorsen Klote St. Peters, MO bicycle accident lawyer will make sure a new one paid for too.
- How your injuries have affected your physical and mental well-being — Personal injury settlements and verdicts are also intended to compensate you for the less tangible ways your injuries have hurt you, including pain and suffering and mental anguish. Does your wrist lock when you try to play the guitar? A seasoned and knowledgeable St. Peters, MO bicycle accident lawyer at Halvorsen Klote will secure you compensation for those damages as well.
- How much time you miss from work — You will also be reimbursed for the money you were not able to earn. If you couldn't earn a living because your injuries were too severe to allow you to work for a period, you will be reimbursed for that.
- If your injuries result in lost earning capacity — If you were a construction worker who sustained a back injury in a bicycle accident in St. Peters, MO and a doctor orders you not to lift more than a certain amount, your ability to earn a living has been severely compromised. Your compensation will need to substantial enough to make sure you and your family will still have the means to live a comfortable life.
- The amount of insurance coverage available — The defendant's insurance policy may have an impact on your settlement amount. Illinois and Missouri both require $50,000 per accident for bodily injury in car accident policies, while trucking companies may have up to $5 million in coverage. A talented lawyer for bicycle accidents can help you make an underinsured motorist claim with your own insurance company if the coverage available isn't enough to fully compensate you for your injuries.
- Whether you were partially responsible for your bicycle accident — Both Missouri and Illinois are comparative negligence states, meaning that you can still receive compensation if you bear some responsibility for the accident, but the amount will be lowered based on how much blame you share. Meaning, if your damages total $100,000 but you are responsible for 30 percent of the accident, you would receive $70,000. Missouri is referred to as a "pure" comparative fault state, meaning you can receive compensation even if you are responsible for the vast majority of the accident. Illinois is referred to as a "modified" comparative fault state, meaning you would be barred from recovery if more than half the accident is your fault.
At Halvorsen Klote, our St. Peters, MO bicycle accident lawyers know how to precisely value claims and get you all of the compensation you deserve. We know that powerful corporations and insurance companies often try their best to devalue your claim. We became personal injury attorneys because we believe that everyone has should be able to depend on the same expert legal representation as wealthy organizations.
Click on the links below to see some of the other cases we take on in St. Peters, MO:
- What to Do After a Car Accident
- Premises Liability Attorneys
- Automobile Injury Attorney
- Motorcycle Accidents Attorney
- Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
- Injury Claim Lawyer
- Drunk Driving Accident Lawyers
- Auto Crash Attorney
- Truck Crash Lawyers
Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in St. Peters, MO | Halvorsen Klote
You did not ask to be put in this situation, and you should not have to pay because someone else did not respect your safety. Our St. Peters, MO lawyer for bicycle accident team has committed their abilities to standing up for people who have been hurt and taken advantage of, and ensuring that they receive the full compensation they deserve. We charge no fees we win your case. Call a bicycle accident lawyer in St. Peters, MO today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a complimentary case review.
Joel Halvorsen
Attorney at Law
Joel Halvorsen and his partner Greg Klote founded the Halvorsen Klote law firm on the principle that injured people and their families should have access to the same quality legal representation as large insurance companies.
Greg Klote
Attorney at Law
Greg Klote is a partner and founder of Halvorsen Klote.
Greg has successfully fought for people who were injured through no fault of their own. He became a lawyer to help make a difference in the lives of those who have been wronged and treated unfairly.
