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Bicycle Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident, you need an experienced personal injury attorney on your side. The Advocates are ready to help.

Client talking with Personal injury Lawyer

A Bicycle Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case

Cycling is an increasingly popular method of commuting and recreation, thanks to its positive impacts on personal health and the environment. However, cyclists on public roads constantly face the risk of being involved in an accident with a motor vehicle.

A bicycle crash can be a disastrous event, often resulting in catastrophic injuries or fatalities for the bicyclist. If you’ve been involved in a bike accident with a negligent driver, you are likely dealing with pain, emotional trauma, and ever-increasing medical bills.

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’ law office for a free consultation today.

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 Bicycle Professionals Assigned to Your Case

For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have taken on thousands of personal injury cases and helped victims receive the compensation and care they deserve. We are prepared to do the same for you. 

We can help you:

  • Investigate your accident
  • Build your case
  • Negotiate with insurance companies

You only pay if we win your case!

Talking to a Professional

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United States Bicycle Accident Statistics

States with the highest rates of bicycle fatalities

Where do bicycle deaths occur?

United States bicycle accident statistics  

  • Around 20% of bicyclists killed in accidents have a BAC of 0.08 or higher at the time of the crash
  • 55% of accidents occur between the hours of 3:00 pm and midnight
  • The large majority of collisions between bicycles and motor vehicles involve passenger cars or pickup trucks; large trucks account for nearly 10% of these crashes
  • The number of non-motorist accidents involving impaired drivers has increased in recent years
  • Intoxicated bicyclists are 2,000% more likely to be involved in an accident than sober bikers
  • Cyclists who ride in groups are less likely to be struck by a vehicle than those who ride alone
A group of bicyclist ride down a road in the desert.
Bike helmet isolated on a blue background

Bicycle helmet statistics 

  • The majority of fatal bicycle accidents involve a head injury
  • Around 90% of bicyclists killed in accidents were not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident
  • More injured cyclists check into emergency rooms for head injuries every year than participants of any other sport
  • Helmet users are less likely to be hospitalized after an accident than non-helmeted riders
  • Men are less likely to wear helmets while riding than women, contributing to their high fatality rate
  • Children whose bicycle helmets fit poorly are at twice the risk for head injury while riding than children with properly fitting safety gear

Common causes of bike accidents

  • Speeding: The faster a car is moving, the less time a driver has to make decisions and react to hazards
  • Distracted driving: When a motorist is talking on the phone, texting, or otherwise not paying attention to the road, the risk of an accident increases exponentially
  • Impaired driving: Drunk drivers or bike riders are involved in substantially more accidents than unimpaired motorists and cyclists
  • Improper turns or lane changes: Drivers and riders who fail to signal their intent to change direction make it difficult for others on the road to predict their next move
  • Failure to yield the right-of-way: If motorists or cyclists are unfamiliar with the traffic laws in the area, they may enter intersections when it is not safe to do so, endangering those around them
  • Bad weather: When conditions are rainy or icy, it is easy for drivers and cyclists to lose control and swerve out of their lane
Car gets too close to a bicyclist and hits them on the side.
Common injuries from a bicycle accidents

Common bicycle accident injuries 

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:

  • Traumatic brain injuries
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Broken or missing teeth
  • Ligament tears or strains
  • Lacerations and bruising

Bicycle Safety FAQs

Road cyclist rides on the side of the road.

Where should bicycles ride?

Bicycle laws differ from state to state and even between municipalities within the same state. It is important to familiarize yourself with the rules of the road in any area you plan to ride.

Most states’ bike laws require that bikers ride on the right side of the road, unless making a left turn or passing a slow moving vehicle. 

Some states require that cyclists use the shoulder or bike lane if one is available. In some states, riding on the sidewalk is legal except in certain municipalities. Other states outlaw the practice altogether.

What equipment should a bicyclist have?

Helmet laws vary throughout the country; some states require them for all riders, while others only require riders under a certain age to wear them. Still others have no helmet laws whatsoever.

Regardless of your state’s helmet laws, a helmet is a cyclist’s best line of defense. A properly fitting, high-quality bicycle helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by more than 50%.

Other bicycle equipment that increases cyclist safety includes:

  • Lights and reflectors
  • Brakes able to stop the bike within 25 feet when traveling at 10 miles per hour
  • Side mirror
  • Bell or horn
Wearing a helmet can reduce head injury by 50%
Stop sign with blue skies in the background

Do bicyclists have to obey stop lights and stop signs?

Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles when traveling on roadways. This includes obeying traffic signs and signals, such as: 

  • Stop signs
  • Red lights
  • Yield signs
  • Lane markings
  • Officers or other people authorized to direct the flow of traffic

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.

In some states, cyclists are permitted to treat certain signs and signals as yield signs when it is safe to do so, particularly if traffic lights fail to register their presence, a practice known as the “Idaho Stop.”

What are the hand signal rules for bicyclists?

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. Many state laws require 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:

  • Left turn: extend your left arm straight out to the side, parallel to the ground
  • Right turn: extend your left arm out to the side and bend your elbow 90 degrees so your forearm points straight up OR extend your right arm straight out to the side
  • Stop: extend your left arm out to the side and bend your elbow 90 degrees so your forearm points down toward the ground
Bicyclist makes hand signal for left turn on a city street.
Reflectors on a white background

How can bicyclists increase visibility?

One of the most common causes of collisions between motor vehicles and bicycles is the motorist’s failure to see the cyclist in the moments leading up to the accident. Being as visible as possible is an important way for bicyclists to stay safe while riding.

 

Some practices that promote cyclist visibility include:

  • Riding in well-lit areas when possible
  • Equipping bikes with front and rear lights, as well as reflectors
  • Wearing bright and/or reflective clothing
  • Riding in groups

Drivers should also always expect cyclists to be around, and look twice before turning or changing lanes, particularly when the maneuver requires you to cross a bike lane.

What is “dooring”?

Dooring is the cause of between 10-20% of cycling accidents, and is more dangerous than it sounds. Dooring happens when a person parked on the side of the road opens their car door in front of a cyclist. Depending on how quickly the bike rider is moving, hitting a door can cause broken bones, head trauma, and other serious injuries.

Some states and cities, such as New York and Chicago, have implemented laws to help prevent dooring accidents. People in cars are required to look for cyclists before opening their door, and if they fail to do so and cause an accident, they could be faced with fines.

bicyclist swerves to avoid hitting an open car door.
Most states require car to stay 3 feet away from bicyclists

How can motorists drive safely around bicycles?

Laws regarding how drivers should behave around cyclists differ from state to state. Regardless of the laws in your area, however, you should be vigilant about keeping yourself and everyone else on the road as safe as possible.

Help prevent bicycle accidents by committing to the following:

  • Give cyclists proper space when passing (3 feet is a good rule of thumb)
  • Look twice before turning or changing lanes
  • Do not exceed the speed limit when passing bicycles
  • Obey traffic signs and signals
  • Yield the right-of-way when applicable
  • Drive predictably– don’t assume cyclists are anticipating your next move

Preventing accidents requires the active participation of everyone on the road. Cyclists and motorists are both responsible for keeping public roads safe by following local laws and safety guidelines.

When Should I Hire a Bicycle Injury Attorney?

If you were injured in a bicycle accident, it may feel like life will never go back to normal. Your new to-do list likely includes doctor’s appointments, speaking with insurance companies, ensuring your bills get paid, and trying to build an accident claim. 

A bike accident lawyer with The Advocates can help. We will be there to listen to your story and help you get started on the road to recovery. We understand that your needs are unique– we will never try to give you a “one-size-fits-all” solution.

The attorneys at The Advocates’ law firm have years of experience representing bicycle accident cases. We are ready to help you build your case, negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance provider, and help you receive the settlement you deserve.

We are here for you every step of the way, with open, honest communication and a direct line of contact with your attorney. Your Advocate has your best interests at heart from the moment you first contact us to the day your case is settled. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. You deserve a personal injury lawyer who understands that your case is just that– personal. You deserve an Advocate.

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