Bicycle accidents can be incredibly devastating events, often resulting in serious injuries or fatalities for the bicyclist. The Advocates’ bicycle accident lawyers have helped thousands of bicycle accident victims over the last 30 years, and we are ready to help you too. We are committed to helping you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages after your bike crash.
If you need a competent, caring attorney for your personal injury claim, contact The Advocates for a free consultation today.
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.
A Team of Legal Professionals Assigned to Your Case
For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury 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:
Depending on the nature of your accident and the protective gear you were wearing at the time, bicycle accident injuries can range from road rash to life-threatening conditions. Some common types of bicycle injuries are:
According to Montana state law, a bicycle is defined as any device that meets the following criteria:
Montana law does not require that bicyclists ride on the shoulder of the road, but they should ride in the rightmost lane, except in specific circumstances. Some of these circumstances include:
Cyclists are encouraged to ride near the right side of the lane, but legally they are permitted full use of the right lane. They also do not have to use the bike lane when one is available.
The law does specify that bikers may only ride single file on roadways, and on other multi-use paths, they may ride no more than two abreast.
In general, bicyclists are permitted to ride on the sidewalk in Montana. Some towns and municipalities have their own laws regarding sidewalk riding, so it is important to familiarize yourself with the rules of any area you plan to ride. If an area has official traffic control devices prohibiting riding on the sidewalk, the bicyclist must ride on the road.
When riding on the sidewalk, a biker must yield to pedestrians and other nonmotorists, and must signal audibly before passing a pedestrian. Other than these two provisions, bicyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as pedestrians when riding on the sidewalk.
Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles when traveling on roadways. This includes obeying traffic signs and signals, such as:
Being as predictable as possible is the best way to stay safe as a cyclist. The drivers around you are likely not expecting you to ride through a stop sign or red light without stopping. Failing to obey the laws at an intersection puts you at high risk of being struck by a vehicle traveling on the road perpendicular to you.
When turning, cyclists should use the universally-recognized hand signals to alert drivers to their intentions. Using these signals is just as important as using a blinker is for motorists. Montana law requires that cyclists signal their intention to turn or stop.
In general, hand signals should be done using the left arm. The following hand signals help communicate your plans to drivers:
Bicyclists in Montana may ride their bikes in the crosswalk, but they must obey the following rules:
Bicycles move much more quickly than pedestrians. If you ride your bike through a crosswalk, a driver may overestimate the time it will take you to cross. Always be on the lookout for cars making dangerous decisions at intersections.
Bikers must have at least one hand on the handlebars at all times. Cyclists may not carry anything that prevents them from having one hand on the handlebars. When possible, bicyclists should use both hands, as it makes the bicycle much easier to control and increases biker safety.
Any person riding a bike in Montana may only ride on the permanent, regular seat attached to the bicycle. Therefore, if more than one person is to ride on a bike, the bicycle must have a permanent, regular bike seat for each rider.
When riding at night, proper lighting is critical to keeping bikers safe. Additionally, reflector strips increase safety during the day. The following lights and reflectors are required on any cycle riding on Montana roadways:
If you were seriously injured in a bike accident, you will need a caring, competent personal injury lawyer on your side. Montana is a modified comparative negligence state, which means that in order to receive any damages, you must prove that the other party was more responsible for the accident than you were.
Insurance companies will do whatever they can to prove you had some responsibility in the accident. They may try to deny liability for the accident or diminish the severity of your injuries. Fighting insurance adjusters on your own can be stressful, upsetting, and disruptive to your recovery.
The Advocates personal injury law firm has years of experience representing bicycle accident cases. We are ready to help you build your case, negotiate with insurance providers, and help you receive the settlement you deserve.
We are here to help every step of the way, from building your case to helping you understand your medical bills. Your Advocate has your best interests at heart from the moment you first contact us to the day you receive your settlement check. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. You deserve a voice in the legal process. You deserve an Advocate.