Bicycle Accidents Result in Serious Injuries
Our Kansas City bicycle accident lawyer knows how serious injuries can result from bicycle crashes in Kansas and Missouri. According to the Center for Disease Control, bicycle injuries account for 1.2 million doctor visits, 580,000 emergency room visits, 23,000 hospital admissions and 900 deaths each year in the United States. In addition, bicyclists face a higher risk of crash-related injury and deaths than occupants in motor vehicles, and the number of fatalities from bicycle accidents continues to rise.
The risk of serious injury or death from a bicycle accident is due in part to a bicycle’s smaller weight and size compared to the cars or trucks on the road. In addition, bicyclists lack any protection or physical barrier between them and the road, other cars, or obstacles in and around the roadway.
Our Kansas City Bicycle Attorney Can Help
If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a bicycle accident due to the negligence of another, you have a legal right to seek compensation for your injuries. If a negligent driver caused a family member to die in a bicycle accident, you and your family may have a wrongful death claim that will allow you to pursue compensation for loss of financial and emotional support.
Our Kansas City personal injury lawyer understands how devastating and tragic bicycle accidents can be and stands ready to answer your questions, provide guidance in understanding your legal rights, and assist you in recovering compensation. Please call us today at 816-203-0143 for a free, no-obligation consultation or fill out the form below.
Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Missouri & Kansas
Bicycle accidents can occur in many circumstances, including at an intersection with a stop sign or light, when making a left-hand or right-hand turn, or in a rear-end or sideswipe crash.
Drivers of cars and other motor vehicles often try to blame bicyclists for causing a crash, even if the driver failed to yield the right of way or was distracted when the accident occurred. Unfortunately, drunk drivers are also responsible for a significant number of bicycle collisions.
Other contributing factors in many bicycle accidents include road or weather conditions, speeding, and a driver’s failure to signal or look out for the bicycle when changing lanes or making turns. Bicyclists should ride defensively to prevent serious injury. However, a bicyclist can only do so much to avoid a crash. If a driver makes a sudden lane change, unexpected turn, or fails to yield to the right of way, the bicyclist will bear the worst of the impact.
How to Prove Who Caused the Bicycle Accident
As with most personal injury claims, you are only entitled to recover damages for your injuries to the extent you are able to prove that the other party was negligent in causing the accident. Negligence is a legal term that is used to describe behavior that falls below the reasonable standard of care in a particular set of circumstances.
In many personal injury cases with significant injuries, the insurance company for the at-fault party will often dispute that their insured was negligent. They may even try to blame the bicyclist for contributing to the accident. In Missouri and Kansas, the law of comparative fault will reduce – and in some cases, eliminate – your right to recover compensation for your injuries if you are found partially at fault.
For this reason, you should consider hiring an experienced bicycle accident lawyer who can help gather and preserve evidence and present the strongest case on your behalf. When investigating bike accident cases, our Kansas City injury lawyer will perform many tasks, including:
- Obtaining and reviewing police reports
- Taking recorded statements from witnesses
- Taking photographs of the accident scene and damage to vehicles
- Consult with experts in accident reconstruction
- Obtain and review medical records and bills
- Consult with experts regarding the long-term implications of injuries, including the need for future medical treatment and any impact on future earnings.
These are just a few of the important things our Kansas City bicycle accident lawyer will do to ensure you receive the maximum compensation for your injuries. If you believe a negligent driver caused your bicycle accident, you should contact our experienced Kansas City bike accident attorney right away.
Common Injuries in Bicycle Accidents
Bicyclists injured in accidents with cars or other motor vehicles often suffer devastating injuries because they are not protected in an impact. Some of the life-changing injuries that can result in bicycle accidents include:
- Broken bones, including broken hand/wrist, leg and collarbones
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Back, neck and spine injuries
- Nerve damage
- Paralysis
- Death
Damages You May Recover After a Bicycle Accident
Unfortunately, medical treatment for these serious injuries can be substantial. In addition, you may not be able to work while recovering, which can make it even more difficult. For this reason, it is critical that you hire an experienced Kansas City personal injury lawyer who can pursue a claim for damages, including amounts for:
- Past and future medical expenses;
- Lost wages and lost future earnings; and
- Past and future pain and suffering.
Our Kansas City bicycle accident lawyer can advise you on what damages you may be able to recover in your case. Our Kansas City, MO law firm handles all injury claims on a contingent fee basis, which means you don’t pay unless we recover for you. Call today for a free, no-obligation consultation: 816-203-0143.
What Should I Do After a Bicycle Accident?
If you were injured in a bicycle accident, the most important thing is to make sure you get prompt and proper medical care and treatment for your injuries. In addition, you should make sure a police report is filed as soon as possible to document what caused the crash. Lastly, you should seek a free consultation with an experienced bicycle accident attorney before talking with the insurance adjuster for the at-fault party or signing any forms.
After the crash, you will likely receive phone calls or correspondence from the at-fault party’s insurance company. They may want you to give a recorded statement or even sign a settlement. The insurance company for the at-fault party is not your friend. They are in business to make money, and their settlement may not cover the full extent of your injuries.
An experienced Kansas City bike accident attorney can make sure your rights are protected. Our Kansas City injury lawyer is experienced in helping accident victims recover what they are entitled to under the law and can help you make the right decision for your claim.
Contact Our Kansas City Bicycle Accident Lawyer
If you or someone you love suffered injuries in a bicycle accident, you should consult with our experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Kansas City, MO. Our Kansas City personal injury attorney understands how important this matter is for you and your family and is ready to provide answers, guidance, and support.
To speak with our Kansas City bike accident attorney, please call (816) 203-0143, for a free, no obligation consultation. You can also contact us online by completing the form below. We look forward to being of assistance.