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.
Immediately after your accident, check for injuries
Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery
Seek medical attention as soon as you can
Get any property damage assessed and repaired
Once you've completed treatment, your case can move forward
Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party
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.
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:
I was in an accident 3 years ago and had a very bad experience with the attorney back then I was in another accident last year and called the advocates mark and his team were amazing changed my view on accident attorneys they kept I'm touch with me every step of the way gave me authority on choices for myself I didn't have to go with what they said I could go against it and they still would have worked with me the same I had choices this time around I would always go with Mark I have even sent friends his way just cause I appreciate all the help and support the whole way threw.
My experience with the advocates was a good one. After being hit by a car on my motorcycle they helped me with a settlement with the insurance company to get the hospital bills paid. They were extremely helpful. They always answered any questions I had with in a day. Every email I sent was always responded to. If you unfortunately has to go through a injury by another person I would recommend them in helping you resolve any debt you have because if that injury. The Advocates were great to work with and help me get this unfortunate event behind me.
Steve and his crew at The Advocates were nothing short for amazing. They took my case after I was rear-ended resulting in neck surgery. Steve and company made sure all of the was taken care of and that I got the maximum compensation possible. I definitely recommend The Advocates
Mr. Brad Johnson, our lawyer; was Awesome! He was very informative, kept us up to date on my case with regular calls. He returned calls back to us within 24 hours or less. Brad Johnson is very courteous, honest, kind, and a pleasure to talk to and work with. There are very few Lawyers out there that could even come close to the high morals that Brad Johnson has and has shown towards us. We need more lawyers like Brad Johnson . If we ever needed a disability lawyer again in the future; it would be Brad Johnson and The Advocates Firm that he works at. We will definitely turn ALL of our family and friends towards this lawyer and firm; in a heartbeat!!!
I want to First say that I am truly thankful for the advocates Law Firm they have been a great service to me through this ordeal and Katie she is a tremendous lawyer someone that I would recommend she fights tooth and nail for her clients and the rest of the team they supported me to the fullest with that being said I would like to say for anyone who is trying to find an attorney to fight their case The Advocates is the way to go.
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:
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:
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.
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.
Every bicycle must have:
The lights must be used from sunset to sunrise and when visibility is poor, such as in rainy, snowy, or foggy conditions.
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.
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.
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.
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.
