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Iowa Bicycle Accident Lawyer

If you’ve been involved in a bicycle crash that resulted in injuries, an Advocate can help.

Three attorneys in a meeting room.

A Bicycle Accident Lawyer Can Help Your Case

When riding a bike on highways or municipal roads, a collision with a car or truck is just about the worst thing that could happen. Because bicycles are so much smaller than cars, bike riders are far more vulnerable than motor vehicle drivers in the event of an accident. 

A bike accident can leave you with serious injuries, a damaged bicycle, and a lot of questions. How will you pay your medical bills? Are you entitled to compensation? What do you do next?
The Advocates bicycle accident attorneys will be by your side to help answer all of these questions and more. We will help you understand the claims process, build your case, and negotiate with insurance companies. The Advocates’ number one priority is putting our clients at ease so they can focus on their recovery, and we will do the same for you.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident in Iowa, The Advocates personal injury attorneys are here to help. Our bike accident lawyers have years of experience representing injury victims and helping them get fair compensation for their damages. Call today for a free consultation.

The Next Steps In Your Case

Injury

Immediately after your accident, check for injuries

Hire Attorney

Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery

Treatment

Seek medical attention as soon as you can

Property Damage

Get any property damage assessed and repaired

Treatment Completed

Once you've completed treatment, your case can move forward

Demand

Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party

Frequently Asked Questions

Not every accident requires an attorney. However, if the accident resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex.

Your attorney will build your case, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Studies have shown that accident victims who hire a personal injury lawyer can receive settlements up to 3.5 times larger than if they settled on their own.

The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime. Once you have decided to hire an Advocate, we will investigate your accident to firmly establish liability.

Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees when you hire The Advocates.

Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. You will not pay us unless we win your case, and you receive a settlement.

Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process will depend on the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and more.

In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to a few years. It’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which you will lose your right of action.

When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you finish medical treatment. Once all evidence and medical records have been compiled, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. At this point, negotiations will begin.

In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a suit. In the litigation phase, your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator.

A Team of Car Accident Professionals Assigned to Your Case

For 30 years, the personal injury lawyers with The Advocates have helped victims receive the compensation and care they deserve after their accidents, and we are prepared to do the same for you. 

We can help you:

  • Understand the claims process
  • Investigate your accident
  • Build your case
  • Negotiate with insurance adjusters
  • Understand your medical bills

You only pay if we win your case!

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Talk to a professional

Iowa Bicycle Accident Statistics

Common injuries from bicycle accidents

What are common bicycle accident injuries?

When cars and bicycles collide, the bicyclist is at a much higher risk of serious injury or death. In order to keep everyone safe, it is crucial that both drivers and bikers are aware of their surroundings and follow the rules of the road.

Common injuries that bike riders suffer after an accident include:

  • Head trauma, including traumatic brain injuries
  • Back, neck, and spinal cord injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Sprains, strains, and lacerations
  • Road rash and bruising

What are common causes of bicycle accidents?

It’s always important to drive safely, but especially so around cyclists, because they are much more vulnerable than people in cars and trucks. It’s equally important that bicyclists ride safely when sharing the road with motor vehicles. One unsafe decision can mean the difference between life and death.

Some of the most common causes of bike accidents include:

  • Distracted driving or riding
  • Impaired driving or riding
  • Failure to give adequate space to the biker
  • Speeding
  • Failure to yield right-of-way
  • Bicyclist striking an object in the road
Distracted driver texts while behind the wheel of a car
Bicyclist gets hit on the side by a car making a right turn

When and where do bicycle accidents often happen?

Each year, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) compiles a fact sheet detailing the number of accidents each year and how they were caused. Below are some statistics regarding the conditions where a bike accident is most likely to happen.

  • Des Moines, Cedar Rapids, and Sioux City see the most bicycle accidents each year
  • More than three-quarters of bicycle accidents happen in urban areas
  • 58% of bicycle accidents occur in the summer and fall months
  • Most accidents occur between 3:00 pm and 9:00 pm
  • Most accidents happen at non-intersection locations
  • Bicyclists who are killed in accidents are most likely to be hit by the front of a vehicle

How many people are injured in bicycle accidents each year?

  • Iowa has not seen fewer than 300 accident-related fatalities annually since the year 1925 
  • Each year, between 2-3% of these fatalities are bicyclists. 
  • Nationwide, nearly 50,000 bike riders are injured in traffic accidents each year
  • Around 80% of injured cyclists are men

Iowa Bicycle Laws

bicycle helmet on a light blue background

Are helmets required for cyclists?

There is no statewide requirement for helmet use in Iowa. It is legal to ride on the road without a helmet. However, 70-80% of all fatal bicycle crashes involve a head injury. Wearing a helmet is the best way to protect yourself from a concussion or other brain injury when riding.

What must a bike be equipped with to ride on the road?

Every bicycle must have:

  • A white headlamp visible from at least 300 feet
  • Red rear lights or reflectors visible from at least 300 feet.

The lights must be used from sunset to sunrise and when visibility is poor, such as in rainy, snowy, or foggy conditions.

reflectors on a white background
Delivery bicyclist rides on the sidewalk

Can bicycles ride on the sidewalk?

In general, bicycles are allowed on the sidewalks in Iowa. There are a few municipalities, however, that have created their own restrictions. For example, Cedar Rapids allows bike riding on sidewalks in all areas except the business district. Des Moines has no restrictions regarding bicycles on the sidewalk, but bike riders must yield to pedestrians who are also using the sidewalk.

It’s important to know the laws in the places you plan to ride. Rules can vary from state-to-state and even within cities, so always plan ahead before riding.

Do bikes have to ride on the shoulder?

Bicyclists should ride as close to the right side of the road as is safe. This does not mean that they need to ride on the shoulder; in fact, sometimes the shoulder can be a more dangerous place to ride. Debris often collects on the shoulders of highways and can create a safety hazard. 

If a bicyclist is making a left turn or overtaking another vehicle, they may move away from the right side of the road when it is safe to do so. Otherwise, bikers should stay close to the right to allow cars room to pass.

Bicycle lane on a two lane road
several bicyclists ride down a desert highway

Can bicycles ride side by side on the road?

There is no statewide law detailing how many riders may ride abreast on the road. Some cities and towns have their own restrictions; for example, Iowa City requires that bikers ride single file on roadways. Des Moines allows bicyclists to ride no more than two abreast on multi-use trails.

When Should I Hire a Bicycle Accident Attorney?

If you were injured in a bicycle accident, you will need to prove that the driver of the vehicle was at fault in order to receive any damages. Iowa follows the modified comparative negligence system. This means that even if you had some fault in your accident, you may still collect damages, as long as you were less than 51% responsible.

The at-fault driver’s insurance company will likely do everything they can to avoid paying you a fair settlement. If you attempt to fight these multi-million dollar companies on your own, you may end up feeling overwhelmed, confused, and stressed with nothing to show for it.

The personal injury attorneys at The Advocates have years of experience negotiating with insurance providers and fighting for their clients’ right to fair compensation under the law. Your legal team will be there to take worry off your plate, so you can focus on feeling better.

The Advocates law firm is here to help every step of the way. We will listen to your story, provide sound legal advice, and make sure you understand each step in the process. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.
You deserve an attorney who cares. You deserve an Advocate.

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