Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in Wellsville, MO

Wellsville, MO Personal Injury Attorneys

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

Lawyer for Bicycle Accident in Wellsville, MO. Riding a bicycle is a great way to exercise and enjoy the freedom of 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 even after you did everything that you were supposed to, the lawyer for bicycle accident team of Halvorsen Klote will fight for your rights and secure you the financial recovery you deserve. We offer expert legal representation the injured and vulnerable in Wellsville, 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 secure you the recovery you are owed. Speak directly to an accomplished and empathetic bicycle accident lawyer by calling 866-382-4167 or by contacting us online.

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Why Should You Hire a Lawyer for Bicycle Accident Cases in Wellsville, 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 Wellsville, MO to guarantee the ideal outcome. A personal injury lawyer in Wellsville, 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, bike accident attorneys can help you increase your compensation by:

• Gathering evidence that proves the other party's liability
• Proving how every single of your damages related to the accident are covered by the insurance policy
• Calculating the complete scope of your damages and all the compensation you are legally owed
• Finding supplementary insurance coverage if your damages surpass the policy limits
• Making sure the insurance company applies the law fairly and ethically

Negotiating With Insurance Companies to Protect Your Rights

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

Insurance companies often count on claimants knowing scant about laws pertaining to injuries and accidents to pay as little money as possible. We'll guarantee they understand their legal responsibility to pay you for every single one of your damages.

Legal Expertise

Bicycle accident cases involve complicated legal processes, including collecting evidence, deposing witnesses, reviewing medical records, and negotiating with insurance adjusters. People who are unfamiliar with injury claims can make mistakes or miss important steps. By hiring a lawyer specializing in bicycle accidents, your legal standing becomes a strength, not a disadvantage.

You did nothing wrong to deserve your injuries and you shouldn't have to deal with the consequences. Let us handle securing your compensation while you focus on healing.

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 interview witnesses, review medical records, and establish a connection your injuries to your accident, as well as interview witnesses who can validate 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 locate the evidence needed to get maximum compensation.

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 oppose against your rights. That's why you need seasoned injury attorneys in your corner to bring a legal action and bring them to trial if necessary.

As experienced Wellsville, MO trial attorneys, Halvorsen Klote can be by your side for the duration of your case, from initial case evaluation through a jury or bench trial.

Wellsville, MO Bicycle Accident Statistics

In 2020, there were 983 bike accident deaths in motor vehicle crashes in the U.S., according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the highest total since 1987. According to research 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 adults aged 55 to 64 are the most likely to be victim to a fatal accident.

In Missouri, in 406 total crashes, 351 people sustained nonfatal injuries and six people perished, according to the Missouri Traffic Safety Compendium. In Illinois, in 2,180 bicycle accidents 1,995 people were injured and 28 people perished.

In both states, 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 bikers are harder to see.

While bicycle accidents account for only one percent of trips taken by American travelers and commuters, annually they account for more than two percent of traffice-related deaths. The discrepancy points 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 Wellsville, 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 failing to pay attention
• 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
• Drunk driving
• Road signs that impede a motorists vision
• Road hazards
• Insufficiently zoned-off construction sites
• Pedestrians being oblivious to bikers
• Defective car or bike components

While most bike accidents happen at intersections, a National Transport Safety Board report stated that "midblock" accidents are more severe because of the higher speeds involved. Your Wellsville, MO bike accident lawyer at Halvorsen Klote will carry out a thorough investigation into your accident to who and/or what caused it and who is at fault for your injuries.

What Are Common Injuries from Wellsville, MO Bicycle Accidents?

Bicyclists are more likely to sustain severe injuries than anyone else on the road. Some of the most common injuries our lawyer for bicycle accident team has helped Wellsville, MO residents receive compensation for include:

• Brain injuries
• Neck injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Whiplash injuries
• Fractures
• Internal injuries
• Nerve damage
• Joint injuries such as strains and sprains

Because of the high cost of dealing with a bicycle accident injury, you need accomplished and tenacious 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 loved one in the Wellsville, MO area, we will stand by your side and help you find some form of justice and secure your future.

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Who Can I Hold Accountable for My Bicycle Accident Injuries in Wellsville, MO?

Who is liable depends on the causes of your accident. Different accidents may have different, or multiple, liable parties. In some cases there are multiple liable parties, and a knowledgeable bicycle accident lawyer will investigate your claim 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 can often cause bicycle accidents by not respecting bicyclists' right to share the road. But the road is for everyone, and if a car, truck or motorcycle driver injures a bicyclists the rules for liability in car accidents is no different than any other crash. For instance, if someone causes an accident because they were driving under the influence, they would be at fault for your injuries.

Both Illinois and Missouri have specific laws for how drivers 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 is automatically liable for your injuries if they break a state statute. So if you are injured because a motorist did not yield at a crosswalk, your lawyer for bicycle accident will be able to file a negligence per se claim, and you may be able to get a fair settlement quickly.

A Faulty or Motor Vehicle Component

If your accident was the result of a defective product, such as steering systems, 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 unreasonably dangerous and issue recalls whenever a component is found to be unsafe. If they are negligent in that duty, 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, you may be able to make a claim against both the driver and their employer. For example, if a trucking company required their driver to work more hours than regulations allow, they would be least partially liable for your injuries.

A Government Agency

Governmental entities both locally and in the state or federal government need to keep our Wellsville, MO roadways free of unreasonable dangers. If a hazard such as inadequate lighting played a part in your injuries, your Wellsville, MO bicycle accident lawyer can investigate if a government agency was liable. 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, you are also able to make a claim against a public bus driver. Pursuant to 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 other public employees are in personal injury cases. Regrettably, in Illinois, 745 ILCS 10/ does not allow anyone to sue a public employee in a tort case unless there was "willful and wanton" misconduct.

How Much Compensation Can I Recover for My Wellsville, MO Bicycle Accident Injuries?

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

• The scope of your injuries — More serious injuries lead to higher medical costs, and you should receive all of those expenses. Assistive devices such as wheelchairs will lead to more money than a quick trip to the emergency room. Did your bicycle accident lead to a joint replacement? The lifespan for those is 15-20 years, and your Halvorsen Klote Wellsville, 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 physical and emotional burdens caused by your injuries, including pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. Is it painful just to get up and down the stairs? An experienced and talented Wellsville, 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 earn a living 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 construction worker who suffered a back injury in a bicycle accident in Wellsville, MO and now are not able to safely lift more than a certain amount, your ability to earn a living has been seriously compromised. 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.
• Policy limits — 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 knowledgeable 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 are comparative negligence states, meaning that you can still be reimbursed for your damages if you were partially to blame, but the amount will be lowered based on how much blame you share. So if a fact finder awards you $100,000 but you were 30 percent at fault, your compensation would be lowered by $30,000. Missouri is called a a "pure" comparative fault state, meaning you can make a recovery even if you were 99 percent to blame. Illinois is 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 Wellsville, MO bicycle accident lawyers will know exactly how much you are owed. We know that greedy corporations and insurance companies often resist taking accountability. We became personal injury attorneys because we believe that everyone has 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 Wellsville, MO

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

Stay Calm, Stay Safe and Get Medical Treatment

If you're able to, move out of the way of traffic. Leave your bike, as trying to move it could exacerbate your injuries. 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, head to the emergency room or urgent care after police tell you you can leave the scene. If you didn't go on the same day, see your general practitioner in the days afterward. 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 demonstrating the other party's liability. Police are trained to determine fault in an accident. When speaking to police, don't acknowledge fault or over-explain what happened. Be truthful, but stick to the facts of the accident and your injuries, and don't provide 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 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 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 hardly ever true. Most injury attorneys offer free consultations, so it's always recommended to consult with a lawyer about your case before accepting a settlement.

Check out some of the other cases we take on in Wellsville, 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 Wellsville, MO | Halvorsen Klote

We know that being hurt in a bicycle accident through no fault of your own is confusing, painful and leads to 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 Wellsville, MO lawyer for bicycle accident team has devoted their profession to standing up for people who have been treated unfairly, and ensuring that they recover the full compensation they are owed. We charge no fees we win your case. Call a bicycle accident lawyer in Wellsville, MO today at 866-382-4167 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.

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