Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in Vandalia, MO

Vandalia, MO Personal Injury Attorneys

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Call 866-382-4167 for a Free Consultation | Vandalia, MO Lawyer for Bicycle Accident

Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in Vandalia, MO. Riding a bicycle can be a cheap and eco-friendly way to get around town, or a great way to explore the outdoors. But on too many occasions, bicyclists don't receive the same respect that motorists do and end up injured because of someone else's negligence. 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 serve clients in Vandalia, MO and throughout the Greater St. Louis area and Southern Illinois. Talking to us is free, and we charge no attorneys' fees unless we win your claim. Speak directly to a qualified and empathetic bicycle accident lawyer by calling 866-382-4167 or by getting in touch with us online.

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Why Should You Hire a Lawyer for Bicycle Accident Cases in Vandalia, MO?

While some simple cases for relatively minor injuries can be handled without the help of an attorney, most require an experienced bike accident attorney in Vandalia, MO to secure the ideal outcome. A personal injury lawyer in Vandalia, MO can provide assistance in a variety of ways:

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, bike accident attorneys can help you optimize 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 complete scope of your damages and all the compensation you are legally entitled to
• Finding additional insurance coverage if your damages exceed the policy limits
• Making sure the insurance company applies the law fairly and morally

Negotiating With Insurance Companies to Protect Your Rights

Dealing with a discompassionate insurance adjuster can feel disheartening. It's their job to help me, isn't it? Yes, but they'll do whatever it takes they can to avoid taking on that responsibility.

Insurance companies often rely on claimants knowing limited about laws pertaining to injuries and accidents to provide as few money as feasible. We'll make sure they understand their legal responsibility to compensate you for every single one of your damages.

Legal Expertise

Bicycle accident cases involve intricate legal processes, including collecting evidence, deposing people who saw the accident, examining medical records, and negotiating with insurance adjusters. People who are unfamiliar with injury claims can make errors or neglect important steps. By hiring a lawyer specializing in bicycle accidents, your legal standing becomes a advantage, not a weakness.

You didn't ask to be injured and you shouldn't have to deal with the consequences. Let us handle obtaining your compensation while you focus on recovering.

Gathering Evidence to Strengthen Your Case

Some cases are more difficult to prove than others. For your bicycle accident case, you'll need an attorney to interrogate witnesses, review medical records, and connect your injuries to your accident, as well as depose witnesses who can support your story. The more complicated your case, the more supporting evidence is needed. Skilled bicycle accident attorneys like those at Halvorsen Klote will know how to discover the evidence needed to get a full financial recovery.

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 fight against your rights. That's why you need seasoned personal injury lawyers in your corner to file a lawsuit and take them to court if necessary.

As experienced Vandalia, MO trial attorneys, Halvorsen Klote can be by your side for the duration of your case, from our first consultation through a jury or bench trial.

How Common Are Bicycle Accidents in the Vandalia, MO Area?

In 2020, there were 938 bicyclists killed in auto accidents in the United States, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than any other year since 1987. According to reporting from the National Safety Council, in 2020 there were 325,173 nonfatal injuries in bicycle 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, there were 406 total crashes which resulted in 351 injuries and six deaths, according to statistics in the Missouri Traffic Safety Compendium. In Illinois, there were 2,180 bicycle crashes, which caused 28 fatalities and 1,995 injuries

Across the U.S., the vast majority ofMost bicycle accidents occur in urban areas where traffic is more condensed. Over three-tenths of bike crashes transpire between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., when it is more difficult to notice bikers on the road.

While bicycle accidents account for only one percent of trips, each year they account for over twice that in traffice-related fatalities. The discrepancy points to the ruinous destruction drivers can do 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 Vandalia, MO?

Most bike accidents are caused either because of the biker making a mistake or because a motorist just did not see the bicyclist in time to adjust. Below are the most common examples of what we see typically results in bike accidents:

• Drivers failing to see a bicyclist
• Drivers failing 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 checking for bicyclists
• Reckless driving
• Driving under the influence
• Road signs that impede a motorists vision
• Road hazards
• Inadequately marked 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 relayed that accidents on the side of the road are more severe because both the motor vehicle and bicycle are traveling at higher speeds. Your Vandalia, MO bike accident lawyer at Halvorsen Klote will perform a thorough investigation into your accident to who and/or what caused it and who is responsible for your injuries.

What Are Common Injuries from Vandalia, MO Bicycle Accidents?

Because of the vulnerability of bicyclists relative to their cars or trucks, injuries suffered in bicycle accidents can be severe and even sometimes result in permanent disability. We've helped secure the best possible financial recoveries for people with:

• Brain injuries
• Neck injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Whiplash injuries
• Broken bones
• Organ damage
• Nerve damage
• Joint injuries such as dislocations

Because of the high cost of dealing with a bicycle accident injury, you need experienced and dedicated bicycle accident lawyers like those at Halvorsen Klote to make sure you receive full compensation for all of your damages, including pain and suffering. In the worst accidents, if you suffer the wrongful death of a family member in the Vandalia, MO area, we will get you compensation to make sure your future is financially secure and to ease the pain, even if just a little.

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Who Can I Sue for My Bicycle Accident Injuries in Vandalia, MO?

Who you can seek compensation from depends on the the different aspects that led to your injuries. Liability is determined based on whose negligence contributed to the crash. In some cases there are multiple liable parties, and a dedicated bicycle accident lawyer will investigate your case and hold each party accountable for the percentage of blame they share. The most common liable parties in bicycle accidents include:

A Car, Motorcycle or Truck Driver

Car, truck and motorcycle drivers are the most common liable party for bicycle accidents by think they own the road and bicyclists do not. But bicyclists are allowed to enjoy the road the same as an operator of any other vehicle, and in the event of an accident 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 at fault for your injuries.

Both Illinois and Missouri have specific laws for how motorists are supposed to drive around bicyclists, such as allowing them space in the street when bike lanes are not present. Following the legal philosophy of negligence per se, someone violates a state statute and injures someone else is liable as a matter of law. So if you wee injured because a driver passed too closely, your lawyer for bicycle accident will only have to prove that the accident caused your injuries, and the insurance company will be more accommodating in negotiations.

A Faulty or Car Parts

If your accident was because of a defective product, such as headlights, an engineer, manufacturer and/or vendor may be liable in a product liability claim. Anybody involved in the chain of distribution must ensure that products are not dangerous when used appropriately 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 drug tests, they would be least partially liable for your injuries.

A Government Entity

Governmental agencies both locally and in the state or federal government need to keep our Vandalia, MO roadways free of unreasonable dangers. If a hazard such as a pothole contributed to your injuries, you may be able to make a claim against a government entity with the help of your Vandalia, MO bicycle accident lawyer. There are special rules for filing claims against government agencies and they have different deadlines for how long you have to file, so an attorney is imperative for the best results in your claim.

In Missouri, you are also able to make a claim against a public bus driver. 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, according to 745 ILCS 10/ you cannot sue a public employee unless you can prove that they deliberately harmed you.

How Much Compensation Can I Receive for My Vandalia, MO Bicycle Accident Injuries?

There are a variety of factors that determine what, and how much, compensation you will receive for your bicycle accident injuries:

• How serious your injuries are — The worse your injuries, the more you'll have to pay in medical bills, which you will be compensated for. Assistive devices such as wheelchairs will lead to more money than a quick trip to the emergency room. Was the accident severe enough to require a joint replacement? That will have to be replaced in 15-20 years, and your Halvorsen Klote Vandalia, MO bicycle accident lawyer will make sure a new one paid for too.
• The impact your injuries had on your life — The purpose of a personal injury settlement isn't just to cover your medical bills, but to compensate you for the less tangible ways your injuries have hurt you, including pain and suffering and mental anguish. Is it a grind just to bring the groceries in? An experienced and knowledgeable Vandalia, MO bicycle accident lawyer at Halvorsen Klote will secure you compensation for those damages as well.
• How much time you miss from work — Any personal injury settlement will also include the paychecks you were not able to earn, even if you had sick leave. If you couldn't earn a living because your injuries were too severe to allow you to work for a period, that lost money will be part of your recovery.
• If your injuries prevent you from working the same job — If you were a warehouse worker who sustained an injury to a disc in your back in a bicycle accident in Vandalia, MO and a doctor orders you not to lift over 30 pounds, you need to know your future is secure after you've healed as much as possible. Your compensation will need to include enough money to make sure you and your family will still have the means to live a comfortable life.
• The amount of insurance coverage available — Different insurance plans have different policy limits. A standard car insurance policy may have a $50,000 limit on bodily injury, while commercial enterprises usually have much more. A skilled lawyer for bicycle accidents will assist you with an underinsured motorist claim with your own insurance company if the negligent party's insurance doesn't cover all of your damages.
• Whether you share any of the blame for your bicycle accident — Both Missouri and Illinois practice the legal philosophy of comparative fault, meaning that you can still be reimbursed for your damages if you bear some responsibility for the accident, but the amount will be lowered based on how much blame you share. Meaning, if it is determined that your economic and noneconomic damages come to $100,000 but you were 30 percent at fault, your recovery would be $70,000. Missouri is called a a "pure" comparative fault state, meaning you can receive compensation even if you are 99 percent responsible. 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 Vandalia, 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 treat people unfairly. Our practice is founded on the idea that an ordinary person who has been injured by another's negligence has a right to the same high standard of legal advocacy as wealthy organizations.

What to Do if You're Injured in a Bicycle Accident in Vandalia, MO

Getting in a bicycle accident can be frightening and it can be hard to know exactly what to do, but there are several steps you should take to help you recover physically and enhance your compensation.

Stay Calm, Get to Safety and Seek Medical Attention

If you're able to, move out of the way of traffic. Leave your bike, as trying to move it could make your injuries worse. If your injuries don't allow you to move safely, hold out for emergency medical personnel to get to the scene.

If you don't need to go to the hospital in an ambulance, go to the emergency room or urgent care after law enforcement tell you it's safe to leave the scene. If you didn't go immediately, see your general practitioner in the days afterward. 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 assign fault in an accident. When speaking to police, don't acknowledge fault or over-embellish your actions. Be honest, but don't say anything beyond the facts of the accident and your injuries, and don't provide any information they don't specifically 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 other people saw the accident, ask for their contact information so your city, state bicycle accident lawyer can contact them at a later time.

Don't Settle Too Quickly

The insurance companies' first offer will almost always be a lowball offer. They want you to settle before you discover the full extent of your damages or hire an attorney. They may tell you no more money is available, but that's almost never true. Many injury attorneys provide free consultations, so it's always recommended to at least speak to 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 Vandalia, 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

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Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in Vandalia, MO | Halvorsen Klote

We know that being hurt in a bicycle accident through no fault of your own is shocking, painful and leads to a large cloud of uncertainty about how you are going to pay for the damage someone else caused and when or if you'll be able to get back to normal. Our Vandalia, MO lawyer for bicycle accident team has committed their lives to fighting for people who have been treated unfairly, and ensuring that they get all the money they are owed. We charge no fees we reach a successful conclusion to your case. Call a bicycle accident lawyer in Vandalia, MO today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a complimentary case review.

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