Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in St. Robert, MO
St. Robert, MO Personal Injury Attorneys
Call 866-382-4167 for a Free Consultation | St. Robert, MO Lawyer for Bicycle Accident
Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in St. Robert, MO. Riding a bicycle can inspire a wonderful sense of freedom. But on too many occasions, bicyclists are an afterthought on the road and become hurt when other people don't pay attention or don't respect their safety. If you were injured 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. Robert, MO and throughout the Greater St. Louis area and Southern Illinois. Our consultations and initial investigations are free, and we charge no attorneys' fees until you are fairly compensated. Speak directly to a qualified and friendly bicycle accident lawyer by calling 866-382-4167 or by contacting us online.
Why Should You Hire a Lawyer for Bicycle Accident Cases in St. Robert, MO?
While some simple cases for relatively minor injuries can be handled without the help of an attorney, most require an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in St. Robert, MO to ensure the best possible result. A personal injury lawyer in St. Robert, MO can offer help in a variety of aspects:
Maximizing Compensation and Ensuring Fair Settlements
The purpose of making an injury claim is to get compensation. While insurance companies try to offer as little money as possible, bicycle accident lawyers can help you increase your compensation by:
- Gathering evidence that proves the other party's liability
- Proving how all of your damages related to the accident are included by the insurance policy
- Calculating the full extent of your damages and all the compensation you are legally entitled to
- Finding additional insurance coverage if your damages surpass the policy limits
- Making sure the insurance company applies the law truthfully and morally
Negotiating With Insurance Companies to Protect Your Rights
Dealing with a heartless claims adjuster can feel frustrating. It's their job to help me, isn't it? Yes, but they'll do anything they can to avoid assuming that responsibility.
Insurance companies often depend on claimants knowing limited about injury and accident law to provide as minimal money as possible. We'll guarantee they understand their lawful obligation to compensate you for every single one of your damages.
Legal Expertise
Bicycle accident cases involve complicated legal processes, including gathering evidence, deposing witnesses, analyzing medical records, and negotiating with insurance adjusters. People who are novice with injury claims can make errors or miss critical steps. By hiring a lawyer specializing in bicycle accidents, your legal standing becomes a advantage, not a vulnerability.
You did nothing wrong to deserve your injuries and you shouldn't have to deal with the consequences. Let us handle obtaining your compensation while you focus on getting better.
Gathering Evidence to Strengthen Your Case
Some cases are more challenging to prove than others. For your bicycle accident case, you'll need an attorney to interrogate witnesses, examine medical records, and link your injuries to your accident, as well as depose witnesses who can validate your story. The greater complicated your case, the more proof is needed. Skilled bicycle accident attorneys like those at Halvorsen Klote will know how to locate the evidence needed to win your claim.
Representing You in Court if Filing a Lawsuit is Necessary
Most bicycle accident cases settle out of court. However, if fault isn't clear, your damages are high, or other complications arise, the insurance company is going to oppose against your rights. That's why you need seasoned personal injury lawyers in your corner to bring a legal action and bring them to trial if necessary.
As experienced St. Robert, MO trial attorneys, Halvorsen Klote can fight for you for the duration of your case, from initial case review through a jury verdict.
How Common Are Bicycle Accidents in the St. Robert, MO Area?
In 2020, there were 983 bike accident deaths in traffic accidents in the U.S., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than any other year since 1987. According to reporting from the National Safety Council, that same year there were 325,173 bicyclists injured in nonfatal accidents. Most nonfatal injuries occurred in children between five and 14 years old, while deaths were most common in riders between 55 and 64 years old.
In Missouri, there were 406 total crashes which resulted in 351 injuries and six fatalities, according to data from the Missouri Traffic Safety Compendium. In Illinois, in 2,180 bicycle wrecks 1,995 people were injured and 28 people died.
Across the U.S., the vast majority ofMost bicycle accidents occur in urban areas where traffic is more congested. Over three-tenths of bike crashes transpire at night, when it is more difficult to notice bikers on the road.
While bicycle accidents make up only one percent of trips, annually they account for more than two percent of traffice-related deaths. The deviation points to the horrible damage motorists can do when they don't look out for bikers, and how important safety measures like helmets and lighting are.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in St. Robert, MO?
Each accident is unique, but most bike crashes are caused by motorist negligence or unsafe road conditions. Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents we see are:
- Drivers failing to pay attention
- Drivers neglecting to to yield the right of way
- Drivers neglecting to to respect a bike lane
- Drivers passing too fast
- Opening a door after parking on the side of the road checking for bicyclists
- Reckless driving
- Drunk driving
- Poorly placed road signs
- Road hazards
- Improperly zoned-off construction sites
- Pedestrians being oblivious to bikers
- Faulty car or bike components
While most bike accidents happen at intersections, a National Transport Safety Board report stated that accidents on the side of the road do more damage because both the motor vehicle and bicycle are traveling at higher speeds. Your St. Robert, MO bike accident lawyer at Halvorsen Klote will perform 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. Robert, MO Bicycle Accidents?
Bicyclists are at a higher risk for severe injuries than anyone else on the road. Some of the most common injuries our lawyer for bicycle accident team has helped St. Robert, MO residents receive compensation for include:
- Brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries
- Nerve damage
- Joint injuries such as strains
Because of the gravity of the bicycle accident injuries, you need experienced and tenacious bicycle accident lawyers like those at Halvorsen Klote to ensure that you are not taken advantage of by the insurance company. In the tragic case of the wrongful death of a family member in the St. Robert, MO area, we will stand by your side and help you find some form of peace and secure your future.
Who is Liable for My Bicycle Accident Injuries in St. Robert, MO?
Who you can seek compensation from depends on the the different aspects that led to your case. Different accidents may have different, or multiple, liable parties. In some cases there is more than one person or organization is liable, and a knowledgeable bicycle accident lawyer will investigate your case and make each of them reimburse you based on how much of the accident was their fault. The most common liable parties in bicycle accidents include:
A Car, Motorcycle or Truck Driver
Car, truck and motorcycle drivers are often responsible for bicycle accidents by either not paying attention or driving hostilely toward them. But the road is for everyone, and if a car, truck or motorcycle driver injures a bicyclists the same liability in car accidents applies. For example, if someone injures you because they were texting and driving, they would be responsible for your injuries in a civil claim.
Both Illinois and Missouri have strict regulations for how motorists are supposed to drive around bicyclists, such as respecting bike lanes. Following the legal philosophy of negligence per se, someone is automatically liable for your injuries if they break a state statute. 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 Car or Truck Parts
If your accident was caused by a defective product, such as steering systems, 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 are negligent in that duty, you can make a claim against them.
A Trucking or Other Commercial Company
If a truck driver, rideshare driver or other commercial driver causes your accident, your bike accident attorney may be able to prove negligence on the part of the employer. For example, if a trucking company failed to perform a background check, they would be responsible for a percentage of your financial recovery.
A Government Agency
Governmental entities both locally and in the state or federal government need to keep our St. Robert, MO roadways free of unreasonable dangers. If a hazard such as inadequate lighting contributed to your injuries, your St. Robert, MO bicycle accident lawyer may be able to find out that a government agency did not follow their own rules for maintaining safe roads. 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. Under Missouri Revised Statute §537.600, public workers who cause an accident while driving within the scope of their employment are not given sovereign immunity like most other government workers are in personal injury cases. Unfortunately, in Illinois, 745 ILCS 10/ does not allow anyone to sue a public employee in a tort case unless the harm was deliberate or the employee showed an "utter indifference" to your safety.
What Are My St. Robert, MO Bicycle Accident Injuries Worth?
There are numerous factors that dictate what, and how much, compensation you will receive for your bicycle accident injuries:
- How serious your injuries are — More significant injuries lead to higher medical expenses, which you will be compensated for. Assistive devices such as wheelchairs will lead to more money than a quick trip to the emergency room. Did your injuries include a knee replacement? You will need a new one in 15-20 years, and your Halvorsen Klote St. Robert, MO bicycle accident lawyer will make sure you are not the one that has to pay for it when that time comes.
- How your injuries have affected your physical and mental well-being — The purpose of a personal injury settlement isn't just to cover your medical bills, but to compensate you for the physical and emotional distress caused by your injuries, including pain and suffering and mental anguish. Is it harder to play with your kids than it used to be? An accomplished and talented St. Robert, 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 you were on bed rest for six weeks, that lost money will be part of your recovery.
- If your injuries prevent you from working the same job — If you were a construction worker who sustained a permanent injury in a bicycle accident in St. Robert, MO and now are not able to safely lift over 25 pounds, you need to know your future is secure after you've reached maximum medical improvement. Your compensation will need to substantial enough to make sure your future is not put in jeopardy.
- The amount of insurance coverage available — The negligent party's insurance policy may have an impact on your settlement amount. A standard car insurance policy may have a $50,000 limit on bodily injury, while trucking companies may have up to $5 million in coverage. A skilled lawyer for bicycle accidents will make sure you get all the money possible by filing an underinsured motorist claim with your own insurance company if the negligent party's insurance doesn't cover all of your damages.
- Whether you are partially at fault for your bicycle accident — Both Missouri and Illinois practice the legal doctrine of comparative fault, 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. So if it is determined that your economic and noneconomic damages come to $100,000 but you were 30 percent at fault, you would receive $70,000. Missouri is considered a "pure" comparative fault state, meaning you can file a claim even if you are responsible for the vast majority of the accident. Illinois is called a a "modified" comparative fault state, meaning you would be unable to make a claim if more than half the accident is your fault.
At Halvorsen Klote, our St. Robert, MO bicycle accident lawyers will know exactly how much you are owed. We know that greedy corporations and insurance companies often try their best to devalue your claim. We do what we do every day because we believe that everyone has has a right to the same knowledgeable and aggressive legal representation as wealthy organizations.
What to Do if You're Injured in a Bicycle Accident in St. Robert, MO
Getting in a bicycle accident can be terrifying and it can be hard to know exactly what to do, but there are several steps you should take to help you get better physically and maximize your compensation.
Stay Calm, Stay Safe and Seek Medical Attention
If you can, move out of the way of traffic. Leave your bike, as trying to move it could intensify your injuries. If your injuries don't allow you to move safely, wait for emergency medical personnel to arrive.
If you don't need to go to the hospital in an ambulance, visit the emergency room or urgent care after police tell you it's safe to leave the scene. If you didn't go immediately, schedule a visit to your general practitioner as soon as you can. If you don't have a doctor's record of your injuries, you won't be able to get compensation from the insurance company.
Call and Wait for the Police
You need to have the police make a report, as it will go a long way in proving the other party's liability. Police are trained to allocate fault in an accident. When talking to police, don't confess fault or over-embellish what happened. Be honest, but don't say anything beyond the facts of the accident and your injuries, and don't give any information they don't explicitly ask for.
Gather Evidence and Witness Contact Information
While waiting for the authorities to arrive, gather as much evidence as possible. Take photos of the accident location, any damage to your bicycle and the other vehicle, and your injuries. If there are witnesses present, get their contact information so your city, state bicycle accident lawyer can get in touch with them later.
Don't Settle Too Quickly
The insurance companies' first offer will almost always be a lowball offer. They want you to settle before you realize the full extent of your damages or hire an attorney. They may tell you no more money is available, but that's almost rarely true. The majority of injury attorneys offer free consultations, so it's always worth it to consult with a lawyer about your case before accepting a settlement.
Click on the links below to see some of the other cases we take on in St. Robert, MO:
- Fatal Car Accident Lawyer
- Auto Accident Attorney
- Bike Wreck Lawyer
- What to Do After a Car Accident
- Premises Liability Attorneys
- Automobile Injury Attorney
- Motorcycle Accidents Attorney
- Pedestrian Accident Lawyer
- Injury Claim Lawyer
Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in St. Robert, MO | Halvorsen Klote
We know that being hurt in a bicycle accident because of someone else's negligence is shocking, painful and leads to a a ton of anxiety about how you are going to pay the bills that are piling up and whether or not you will ever feel the same again. Our St. Robert, MO lawyer for bicycle accident team has pledged their profession to standing up for people who have been hurt and taken advantage of, and ensuring that they receive all the money they are entitled to. You only pay if we reach a successful conclusion to your case. Call a bicycle accident lawyer in St. Robert, MO today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a complimentary case evaluation.
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.
