Lawyer for Bicycle Accident Warrenton, MO | Personal Injury Attorneys Greater | Auto Accident Law Firm | HK Law

Warrenton, MO

Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in Warrenton, MO

Warrenton, MO Personal Injury Attorneys


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

Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in Warrenton, MO. Riding a bicycle is a wonderful way to exercise and enjoy the freedom of the outdoors. 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 even after you did everything right, the lawyer for bicycle accident team of Halvorsen Klote will fight for your rights and secure you the financial recovery you deserve. We serve clients in Warrenton, MO and throughout the Greater St. Louis area and Southern Illinois. Talking to us is free, and we charge no attorneys' fees unless we secure you the recovery you are owed. Speak directly to a knowledgeable and empathetic bicycle accident lawyer by calling 866-382-4167 or by reaching out to us online.


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Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in Warrenton, MO | Auto Accident Attorneys | Personal Injury Law Firm Near Warrenton, MO

Why Should You Hire a Lawyer for Bicycle Accident Cases in Warrenton, 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 Warrenton, MO to guarantee the best possible result. A personal injury lawyer in Warrenton, MO can offer help in a multitude 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 eligible for
  • Finding extra insurance coverage if your damages go beyond the policy limits
  • Making sure the insurance company applies the law honestly and ethically

Negotiating With Insurance Companies to Protect Your Rights

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

Insurance companies often rely on claimants knowing scant about laws pertaining to injuries and accidents to offer as few money as feasible. We'll guarantee they understand their lawful responsibility to compensate you for each your damages.

Legal Expertise

Bicycle accident cases involve intricate legal processes, including acquiring evidence, interviewing witnesses, analyzing medical records, and negotiating with insurance adjusters. People who are novice with injury claims can make mistakes or miss critical steps. By hiring a lawyer specializing in bicycle accidents, your legal standing becomes a strength, 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 healing.

Gathering Evidence to Strengthen Your Case

Some cases are more complex to prove than others. For your bicycle accident case, you'll need an attorney to interview witnesses, analyze medical records, and establish a connection your injuries to your accident, as well as question witnesses who can corroborate your story. The more complicated your case, the more proof is needed. Experienced bicycle accident attorneys like those at Halvorsen Klote will know how to find 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 come up, the insurance company is going to fight against your rights. That's why you need seasoned injury attorneys in your corner to bring a legal action and take them to court if necessary.

As experienced Warrenton, MO trial attorneys, Halvorsen Klote can be by your side throughout your case, from initial case evaluation through a jury verdict.

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

In 2020, there were 938 bicyclists killed in auto accidents in the U.S., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than any other year since 1987. According to data from the National Safety Council, in 2020 there were 325,173 nonfatal injuries in bicycle 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, in 406 total crashes, 351 people sustained nonfatal injuries and six people perished, according to statistics in the Missouri Traffic Safety Compendium. In Illinois, there were 2,180 bicycle collisions, which lead to 28 deaths and 1,995 injuries

Across the U.S., urban areas with more vehicle traffic see most bike crashes. Over three-tenths of bike crashes happen at night, when bikers are harder to see.

While bicycle accidents account for only one percent of trips taken by American commuters, annually they account for over two percent of motor vehicle fatalities. The disparity points to the ruinous destruction people 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 Warrenton, MO?

Most bike accidents are caused either because of biker error or because a motorist just did not see a bicyclist. 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 respect a bike lane
  • Drivers passing in an unsafe manner
  • Opening a door after parking on the side of the street seeing if a biker is coming
  • Reckless driving
  • Drunk driving
  • Road signs that impede a motorists vision
  • Road hazards
  • Improperly 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 stated that accidents between intersections are more severe because of the higher speeds involved. Your Warrenton, MO bike accident lawyer at Halvorsen Klote will carry out a thorough investigation into your accident to determine the cause of your injuries and who we need to seek compensation from.

What Are Common Injuries from Warrenton, 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 Warrenton, MO residents receive compensation for include:

Because bicycle injuries often require extensive medical treatment and a lot of time off work, you need talented 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 Warrenton, 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.


Lawyer for Bicycle Accident Warrenton, MO | Personal Injury Attorney | Bike Accident Lawyers Near Warrenton

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

Who is liable depends on the causes of your accident. Each case is unique, 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 injuries and assign a proportionate amount of fault to each of them. You may be able to seek compensation from:

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 bicyclists are allowed to enjoy the road the same as an operator of any passenger car, and in the event of an accident the same liability in car accidents applies. For instance, if someone causes an accident because they were texting and driving, they would owe you damages.

Both Illinois and Missouri have specific laws for how motorists are supposed to treat and look out for bicyclists, such as allowing them space in the street when bike lanes are not present. According to the legal theory 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 be able to file a negligence per se claim, and the insurance company will be more honest in negotiations.

A Defective Bike or Car or Truck Parts

If your result was the result of a defective product, such as steering systems, you can seek a product liability claim. Anybody involved in the chain of distribution must ensure that products are not dangerous when used appropriately and issue recalls if a safety issue arises. If they are negligent in that duty, you can make a claim against them.

A Trucking or Other Commercial Company

If you are injured by a commercial driver, the employer may be partially liable. For example, if a trucking company failed to perform a background check, they would be considered negligent.

A Government Agency

Municipal agencies at the state, local and federal levels need to keep our Warrenton, MO roadways free of unreasonable dangers. If a hazard such as inadequate lighting played a part in your injuries, you may be able to make a claim against a government entity with the help of your Warrenton, 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 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. According to Missouri Revised Statute §537.600, government employees who cause an accident while operating a motor vehicle are not able to receive sovereign immunity like other public employees are in personal injury cases. Unfortunately, in Illinois, under 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 Warrenton, MO Bicycle Accident Injuries?

How much your claim is worth depends on the severity of the injuries, how they've affected your life, your financial loss and other factors:

  • How serious your injuries are — The worse your injuries, the more you'll have to pay in medical expenses, which you will be compensated for. Surgeries will lead to much higher compensation than a quick trip to the emergency room. Was the accident severe enough to require a knee replacement? The lifespan for those is 15-20 years, and your Halvorsen Klote Warrenton, MO bicycle accident lawyer will make sure a new one paid for too.
  • The physical, mental and emotional impact of your injuries — Personal injury settlements and verdicts are also intended to compensate you for the effects on your personal life, including pain and suffering and mental anguish. After years of playing piano, is it hard to sit up straight on the bench now? An accomplished and skilled Warrenton, MO bicycle accident lawyer at Halvorsen Klote will fight to make sure the physical and emotional pain you felt is compensated to.
  • 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 PTO. If you couldn't work because a physician told you to stay home and rest, that lost money will be part of your recovery.
  • If your injuries result in lost earning capacity — If you were a warehouse worker who suffered a permanent injury in a bicycle accident in Warrenton, MO and now are not able to safely lift over 50 pounds, you need to know your future is secure after you've healed as much as possible. Your compensation will need to substantial enough to make sure your future is comfortable.
  • Policy limits — The negligent party's insurance policy may have an impact on your settlement amount. Illinois and Missouri both require $25,000 per person for bodily injury in car accident policies, while trucking companies often have coverage into the millions. A knowledgeable lawyer for bicycle accidents can help you make an underinsured motorist claim with your own insurance company if the negligent party's insurance doesn't cover all of your damages.
  • Whether you were partially responsible for your bicycle accident — Both Missouri and Illinois practice the legal doctrine of comparative fault, meaning that you can still get a recovery if you bear some responsibility for the accident, but the amount will be lowered based on how much blame you share. Meaning, if a fact finder awards you $100,000 but you are responsible for 30 percent of the accident, your recovery would be $70,000. Missouri is considered a "pure" comparative fault state, meaning you can receive compensation even if you were 99 percent to blame. Illinois is called a a "modified" comparative fault state, meaning you would be unable to make a claim if you are more than 50 percent liable.

At Halvorsen Klote, our Warrenton, MO bicycle accident lawyers know how to precisely value claims and get you all of the compensation you deserve. We know that large corporations and insurance companies treat people unfairly. 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.

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

Getting in a bicycle accident can be frightening and it can be hard to know exactly what to do, but there are several things you should do to help you get better physically and optimize your compensation.

Stay Calm, Stay Safe and Get Medical Treatment

If you're able to, move to the side of the road to get away from oncoming traffic. Leave your bike, as trying to move it could make your injuries worse. If your injuries are too severe for you to move safely, hold out 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 authorities tell you you can leave the scene. If you didn't go immediately, make an appointment with your general practitioner as soon as you can. If you don't have medical documentation 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 how the other drive caused your injuries. Police are trained to assign fault in an accident. When speaking to police, don't admit fault or over-embellish what happened. Be truthful, but stick to the facts of the accident and your injuries, and don't give 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 scene, any damage to your bicycle and the other vehicle, and your injuries. If other people saw the accident, get their contact information so your city, state bicycle accident lawyer can get in touch with them afterwards.

Don't Settle Too Quickly

The insurance companies' first offer will almost always be an inadequate offer. They want you to settle before you realize the full extent of your injuries or hire an attorney. They may tell you no more money is available, but that's almost hardly ever true. Many injury attorneys offer free consultations, so it's always worth it to at least speak to a lawyer about your case before accepting a settlement.

Check out some of the other cases we take on in Warrenton, MO:


Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in Warrenton, MO | Auto Accident Law Firm | Personal Injury Law Firm Near Warrenton

Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in Warrenton, MO | Halvorsen Klote

We know that being hurt in a bicycle accident through no fault of your own is shocking, painful and creates a a ton of anxiety about how you are going to pay for the damage someone else caused and whether or not you will ever feel the same again. Our Warrenton, MO lawyer for bicycle accident team has pledged their profession to standing up for people who have been wronged, and ensuring that they recover the full compensation they are owed. You do not pay unless we win your case. Call a bicycle accident lawyer in Warrenton, MO today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a complimentary case evaluation.


Joel Halvorsen

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

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.