Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in Weldon Spring, MO
Weldon Spring, MO Personal Injury Attorneys
Call 866-382-4167 for a Free Consultation | Weldon Spring, MO Lawyer for Bicycle Accident
Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in Weldon Spring, MO. Riding a bicycle can imbue a wonderful sense of freedom. But too frequently, other motorists don't respect the safety of bicyclists and end up causing an accident. 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 fight for the compensation you are rightfully entitled to. We offer expert legal representation the injured and vulnerable in Weldon Spring, MO and throughout the Greater St. Louis area and Southern Illinois. Our case reviews are free, no-risk and no-obligation, and you do not owe us anything unless we win your claim. Speak directly to a knowledgeable and empathetic bicycle accident lawyer by calling 866-382-4167 or by reaching out to us online.
How Common Are Bicycle Accidents in the Weldon Spring, MO Area?
In 2020, there were 938 bicyclists killed in auto wrecks across the country, 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. 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 caused 351 injuries and six deaths, according to statistics in the Missouri Traffic Safety Compendium. In Illinois, there were 2,180 bicycle accidents, which caused 28 deaths and 1,995 injuries
Nationawide, urban areas with more vehicle traffic see most bike crashes. Almost a third of bike crashes occur between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m., when bikers are harder to see.
While bicycle accidents make up only one percent of trips taken by American travelers and commuters, annually they account for more than twice that in motor vehicle deaths. The deviation speaks to how important bicycle safety is, and also how important it is for drivers of other vehicles to be aware of bicyclists and share the road with them.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Weldon Spring, MO?
Each accident is unique, but most bike crashes are caused by motorist error or unsafe road conditions. Below are the most common examples of what we see typically causes bike accidents:
- Drivers failing to pay attention
- Drivers failing to yield the right of way
- Drivers neglecting to to respect a bike lane
- Drivers passing too fast
- Opening a door without checking for bicyclists
- Reckless driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Poorly placed road signs
- Road hazards
- Improperly zoned-off construction sites
- Pedestrians being oblivious to bikers
- Defective car or bike components
While intersections are the most common place to see or experience a bike accident, a National Transport Safety Board report relayed that "midblock" accidents are more severe because of the higher speeds involved. Your Weldon Spring, MO bike accident lawyer at Halvorsen Klote will carry out an exhaustive investigation into your accident to who and/or what caused it and who is responsible for your injuries.
What Are Common Injuries from Weldon Spring, MO Bicycle Accidents?
Bicyclists are more likely to sustain severe injuries than anyone else on the road. We've helped secure maximum compensation for people with:
- Brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash injuries
- Broken bones
- Organ damage
- Nerve damage
- Joint injuries such as strains and sprains
Because of the gravity of the bicycle accident injuries, you need accomplished and passionate bicycle accident lawyers like those at Halvorsen Klote to make sure you are compensated for every way in which the injury has affected your life. In the worst accidents, if you suffer the wrongful death of a family member in the Weldon Spring, MO area, we will stand by your side and help you find some form of peace and secure your future.
Who is Responsible for My Bicycle Accident Injuries in Weldon Spring, MO?
Who you can seek compensation from depends on the the different aspects that caused your accident. Each accident is unique, and as such the liable party varies. In some cases there is more than one person or organization is to blame, and a seasoned bicycle accident lawyer will investigate your injuries and assign an appropriate amount of fault to each of them. The most common liable parties in bicycle accidents include:
A Motorist
Car, truck and motorcycle drivers are often responsible for bicycle accidents by think they own the road and bicyclists do not. But bicyclists are allowed to enjoy the road the same as the driver 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 driving drunk, they would be at fault for your injuries.
Both Illinois and Missouri have rules of the road for how motorists are supposed to interact with bicyclists, such as allowing at least three feet of space when passing. Under 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 you were injured by a motorist in a bike lane, your lawyer for bicycle accident will be able to file a negligence per se claim, and the insurance company will be more amenable in negotiations.
A Defective Bike or Car or Truck Component
If your result was caused by a defective product, such as headlights, you can make a product liability claim. Anybody involved in the chain of distribution must ensure that products are not unreasonably dangerous and issue recalls if a safety hazard arises. If they fail to, you can seek compensation from them.
A Trucking or Other Commercial Company
If a truck driver, rideshare driver or other commercial driver causes your accident, the employer may be partially liable. 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 Entity
Municipal entities both locally and in the state or federal government need to keep our Weldon Spring, MO roadways free of unreasonable dangers. If a hazard such as cracked pavement played a part in your injuries, you may be able to make a claim against a government entity with the help of your Weldon Spring, 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, you are also able to make a claim against a public bus driver. Pursuant to Missouri Revised Statute §537.600, public workers who injure somebody while operating a motor vehicle are not granted sovereign immunity like other public employees are in personal injury cases. Regrettably, in Illinois, pursuant to 745 ILCS 10/ you cannot sue a public employee unless you can prove that they deliberately harmed you.
What Are My Weldon Spring, MO Bicycle Accident Injuries Worth?
How much your claim is worth depends on the severity of the injuries, how they've affected your life, your financial damages and other factors:
- The severity of your injuries — The worse your injuries, the more you'll have to pay in medical bills, and you should receive all of those expenses. 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? The lifespan for those is 15-20 years, and your Halvorsen Klote Weldon Spring, 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 less tangible ways your injuries have hurt you, including pain and suffering and mental anguish. Is it painful just to get up and down the stairs? An experienced and talented Weldon Spring, 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 — You will also receive compensation for the money you were not able to earn. 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 prevent you from working the same job — If you were a warehouse worker who suffered an injury to a disc in your back in a bicycle accident in Weldon Spring, MO and now are not able to safely lift over 50 pounds, your ability to earn a living has been severely compromised. Your compensation will need to include enough money to make sure your future is not put in jeopardy.
- 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 trucking companies may have up to $5 million in coverage. An experienced 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 share any of the blame for your bicycle accident — Both Missouri and Illinois are comparative fault 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 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 are 99 percent responsible. Illinois is referred to as 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 Weldon Spring, MO bicycle accident lawyers work with medical and economic experts to ensure you are truly fully and fairly compensated for your injuries. We know that greedy corporations and insurance companies often try their best to devalue your claim. We became personal injury attorneys because we believe that an ordinary person who has been hurt by another's negligence should be able to lean on the same high standard of legal advocacy as wealthy organizations.
Click on the links below to see some of the other cases we take on in Weldon Spring, 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 Weldon Spring, 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 Weldon Spring, MO lawyer for bicycle accident team has devoted their practice to fighting for people who have been treated unfairly, and ensuring that they receive the full compensation they are owed. We charge no fees we reach a successful conclusion to your case. Call a bicycle accident lawyer in Weldon Spring, 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.
