Bicycles are an eco-friendly and healthy alternative to cars. In Richmond Heights, MO, more and more people are riding bikes to commute and for exercise. While the increase in bicyclists can be great, it also means there is a natural increase in bicycle accidents.
If you have been hurt in a bike crash, a Richmond Heights bicycle accident lawyer may be your best resource. They can help you get compensation for medical bills, to repair or replace your bike, and even for emotional suffering.
Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers has helped victims of bike crashes for the past 30 years. We have recovered over $70 million on behalf of our clients. This money has empowered our clients to recover from their injuries and get through the most difficult times.
Our team of lawyers is extremely sensitive to our client’s needs. We understand that a bicycle accident can be traumatic and leave you with lifelong injuries. That’s why we take every case seriously and will do whatever is necessary to get you justice.
There’s no harm in exploring legal support. Contact our office at (314) 207-4399 to set up a free consultation and learn more about how we can help.
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How Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help You After a Bicycle Accident in Richmond Heights, MO
Many people who get into a bicycle accident have very serious injuries. These injuries can leave you unable to work and with a pile of expensive medical bills and lasting mental trauma.
Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers can help you determine who is responsible for causing the accident and seek compensation for your damages.
Our lawyers have been named:
- A member of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum
- A Top 100 Trial Lawyer in America
- A Missouri Association of Trial Attorneys Hall of Fame Member
- Super Lawyers
When you hire our Richmond Heights personal injury attorneys to handle your case, we will:
- Find out what caused the bike accident and who is responsible
- Explain your legal rights
- File an insurance claim and negotiate on your behalf
- Consult experts
- File a personal injury lawsuit when appropriate
- Stand up for you during trial
Call our law office to learn more about our services after a bicycle accident in Richmond Heights, Missouri.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Richmond Heights, MO
Most bicycle accidents in Richmond Heights are caused by car crashes. Unfortunately, sharing the roads can be dangerous. Many drivers don’t understand how to drive with bikers nearby. This can cause serious accidents, and often the biker suffers the most severe injuries.
However, sometimes bicycle accidents are caused by another person or condition – and don’t involve a car at all.
The most common causes of bicycle accidents are:
- Distracted driving
- Failing to check blind spots
- Unsafe lane changes
- Failure to yield
- Speeding
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Swerving
- Sudden stops
- Passing too closely
- Fatigued driving
- Drunk driving
- Road rage or aggressive driving
- Inclement weather conditions
- Potholes or obstructions in the road
- Lack of bike lanes
Many bicyclists don’t have time to react before an accident happens. They might not even realize what caused the accident. We can help you investigate the cause of the accident so that we are fully prepared to request damages and pursue your case.
We Can Recover Compensation for All Types of Bicycle Accident Injuries in Richmond Heights
Far too often, bicycle accidents cause catastrophic injuries. Even if you have only experienced a minor injury, it can have a significant impact on your life.
Our attorneys are trained and experienced in handling all types of bicycle accident injury cases. We can review your medical records and discuss treatment with your doctors.
Some of the most common types of injuries that we see in Richmond Heights bicycle accidents are:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Head and skull injuries
- Paralysis
- Spinal cord damage
- Crushing injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Broken bones
- Neck injuries
- Amputations
Unfortunately, many bicyclists also die as a result of their injuries. Sometimes the death is immediate, and a family contacts us for help filing a wrongful death lawsuit. Other times, a client succumbs to their injuries after fighting for some time. We also help families navigate the loss of a loved one after a bicycle accident.
Why Are Bicycle Crashes So Dangerous?
Bicycle crashes are very dangerous for a bicyclist. Unlike the driver of a car, a biker doesn’t have a metal frame, airbags, or other safety features protecting them from impact. Many bikers are thrown off the bike after a crash. They hit the concrete, or another hard surface, completely exposed. This can result in serious injuries.
Lack of Helmets and Safety Gear
One of the main reasons that bicycle crashes are dangerous is that not every bicyclist is wearing a helmet. One-third of non-fatal bicyclist injuries are to the head. Helmets can reduce instances and severity of a head injury.
However, a helmet is not a cure-all. Many bikers who are wearing helmets still experience severe injuries. That’s because the helmet only protects your head from the most severe types of trauma. It doesn’t protect against injuries to any other part of your body.
Lack of Understanding of Bicycle Laws
Another reason that bicycle accidents are dangerous is that both bikers and drivers don’t fully understand Missouri bike laws. This can lead to confusion on the road, which often results in a bicycle crash.
For example, many drivers block bike lanes or think that they have the right of way over a biker. They do not understand that bicyclists are meant to be treated similarly to other cars on the road. Furthermore, many bicyclists take liberties while biking and break the law. This may include biking through red lights or on the sidewalk.
The lack of understanding of the bike laws in Richmond Heights makes it more dangerous for bikers on the road.
What Damages Can I Recover After a Bicycle Accident in Richmond Heights, MO?
One of the first steps in a bicycle accident case is to calculate your damages. This is the compensation that your lawyer will ask for from either insurance or through a lawsuit. The amount that you recover will depend on how your case unfolds and factors that are specific to you.
In general, damages are divided into economic, non-economic, and punitive damages.
Economic damages are financial losses directly tied to the crash. This includes:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Lost future earning capacity
- Damage to your bike or other property
- Cost of rehabilitation
- Cost of medicine or necessary medical devices (like a wheelchair)
- Long-term nursing care
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Non-economic damages are payments for emotional losses and suffering after a bicycle accident. This may include:
- Loss of quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional suffering
- Physical pain and suffering
- Permanent injury, scarring, or disfigurement
- Loss of consortium
Punitive damages are meant to punish a defendant for bad behavior. This is different from paying a victim for their actual losses. Punitive damages are far less common, but they aren’t unheard of.
We can request punitive damages when a defendant intentionally causes an accident or acts with a flagrant disregard for your safety. An example may include getting hit by a drunk driver or a driver with road rage.
Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers will help you understand damages and recover the maximum in your case. Call us to set up a time to talk.
How Long Do I Have To File a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in Missouri?
The statute of limitations for most bicycle accident lawsuits in Missouri is five years. The clock starts on the date of the accident. However, there may be exceptions that give you less time. If you miss the deadline, you will lose your right to recover any damages through the court.
It’s wise to speak with a lawyer as soon as possible. They may want to pursue an insurance claim before filing a lawsuit. If you don’t leave enough time for this, it may jeopardize the strength of your case.
What Happens If I Caused the Bike Accident in Missouri?
If you are a biker and are responsible for causing the accident, that doesn’t mean the end of your case. However, your damages may be impacted.
Missouri applies a pure comparative negligence law. This law states that you can still recover compensation from the defendant, but the amount is reduced by your share of responsibility. If you are 75% responsible for causing the accident but a driver is 25% responsible, you can only recover 25% of your damages.
If you are getting blamed for the accident at any step of the way, hire a Richmond Heights personal injury lawyer. We can help you minimize the blame. This means maximizing your recovery and getting full benefits.
Contact a Richmond Heights Bicycle Accident Lawyer To Schedule a Free Consultation
If you’re ready to speak with a Richmond Heights bicycle accident attorney, contact our office at (314) 207-4399 to set up a free consultation. Bradley Law Personal Injury Lawyers is available to discuss your case and explain your options. We will help you navigate your injury and the insurance claims or legal case that unfolds.
