If you were injured in a bicycle accident, don’t wait to contact the skilled personal injury attorneys at OnderLaw . Since the firm was founded in 2002, our attorneys have collected more than $3.5 billion dollars on behalf of our clients. We dedicate ourselves to every case and will fight unreservedly for the full compensation you’re owed by the at-fault driver.

Without a doubt, bicyclists are at a much higher risk of suffering severe injuries in an accident than drivers and passengers in motor vehicles. Unlike cars, which have seatbelts and airbags, bicyclists only have helmets to protect them. Bicyclists hit by a vehicle can suffer debilitating injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, bone fractures, and spinal cord injuries.

A Chesterfield bicycle accident lawyer at OnderLaw understands the physical, emotional, and financial burdens that an accident victim carries. It’s important you know you’re not alone. We will stay by your side throughout your entire case to offer support, guidance, and advice.

We provide aggressive, compassionate, and dependable legal representation to accident victims throughout Chesterfield and Missouri. We hold ourselves to extremely high professional standards, and we’ll work hard to build a strong case on your behalf, while you focus on your health and recovery.

Call us for a free consultation today and learn about your legal options. We won’t charge any fees unless we win compensation for you, so you have nothing to lose.

Why Do Bicycle Accidents Happen?

Drivers must always pay attention to the task at hand and avoid becoming distracted by their cell phones, the radio, or other types of distractions. They must always be aware of the actions of other vehicles, pedestrians, and bicyclists, and they also need to obey traffic signs and signals, allowing bicyclists to share the road and cross the street when necessary.

When drivers aren’t focused on driving safely, they could easily make a mistake that has dire consequences. They could unintentionally swerve into the bicycle lane, for example, or crash into a bicyclist at an intersection.

Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents include:

  • Distracted driving
  • Impaired driving
  • Drowsy driving
  • Speeding
  • Failure to yield the right of way
  • Drifting into the bicycle path
  • Backing out of a parking space or driveway without checking for a bicyclist
  • Failure to obey traffic signs and signals

Poor judgment, error, and inattention are negligent behaviors. You have the right to hold the driver liable for the harm you suffered and pursue the compensation you need and deserve to heal. The Chesterfield bicycle accident attorneys at OnderLaw have extensive experience handling cases like yours and will fight to seek justice on your behalf.

Common Injuries Caused By Bicycle Accidents

When a 3,000-pound vehicle crashes into someone on a bike in Chesterfield, the person on the bike could sustain a number of serious injuries. They have no protection from outside elements, and they may be thrown from their bike and end up on the hard pavement.

Because of the traumatic nature of most accidents involving bicycles, you could sustain any of the following injuries:

  • Concussion
  • Broken or fractured bones
  • Road rash
  • Lacerations and wounds
  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Internal damage
  • Loss of limb or amputation injury
  • Soft tissue injuries
  • Psychological injuries, such as fear of riding a bike
  • Paralysis

When you get hurt through no fault of your own, the at-fault driver should be held responsible for their actions. You’re already in pain and paying expensive medical bills while trying to recover. It’s only right that you receive adequate compensation for your expenses, so you don’t have to pay for anything out of pocket.

Missouri Laws Associated With Bicycle Accidents

Many bike accident victims in Chesterfield don’t realize that they can file a claim with the at-fault party’s auto insurance following their accident. All Missouri drivers have a legal requirement to purchase liability insurance with minimum limits to cover an accident victim’s medical bills, lost wages, and other associated costs.

Missouri’s fault system determines that the person at fault for an accident becomes financially responsible for the injured party’s financial, physical, and emotional losses. When you file a liability claim, you can pursue a settlement up to the limits listed on the driver’s policy. If the coverage doesn’t adequately compensate for your expenses and suffering, you could also file a claim with your insurance.

It might seem confusing to use your own auto insurance for compensation when you are on a bicycle, but insurance companies allow claims for these types of accidents if you have uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) coverage. UM is available when the at-fault driver doesn’t have liability insurance or high enough limits to cover the victim’s losses. When you file the claim, you could seek compensation for various expenses and the physical pain and suffering you endured.

Whether you choose to file an injury claim or lawsuit, it’s also important that you don’t admit fault for the crash. Missouri follows a modified comparative fault rule. That means if an accident victim were partly responsible for their injuries, their compensation could be diminished by their percentage of fault.

For example, let’s say the value of your case ends up being $100,000. Under normal circumstances, where the driver is 100% at fault, you could pursue up to $100,000 in compensation to cover your total losses. However, if a jury determines that your actions were 20% to blame for the accident, you would only be allowed to seek a maximum of $80,000.

Determining the Value of Your Case After a Bicycle Accident

When you file an injury claim or lawsuit, you can seek compensation for your losses, such as:

  • Medical expenses
  • Property damage
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Pain and suffering

OnderLaw knows how to maximize the value of a client’s case. We know the insurance adjuster won’t play fair during the claims process. They’ll look for any excuse to offer a low settlement amount or deny the claim altogether. However, we’ll work hard to prevent that from happening. Our Chesterfield bike crash lawyers’ goal is to negotiate a settlement we believe is fair and will cover all your costs.

Whether we’re handling your insurance claim or lawsuit, there are various factors we’ll review to determine a fair number to demand from the insurance company or at-fault driver:

  • Type and severity of the injury
  • Time missed from work
  • The emotional impact of the accident
  • Total expenses incurred due to the injury
  • Duration of the recovery period
  • Whether the injury resulted in impairment or disability
  • Insurance coverage available on all policies
  • Amount of evidence proving fault
  • Statements made by people who witnessed the crash
  • Details listed on the crash report
  • Effect of the injury on daily routine

We never back down from a fight and aren’t about to start now. When you hire us, we will advocate for your rights and won’t allow anyone to take advantage of you or treat you unfairly. The opposing parties might try to lowball you with an offer that doesn’t even come close to compensating you for the trauma you experienced, but we won’t accept that. We’ll keep your interests in mind and work towards the outcome you need.

Why You Should Seek Legal Representation After a Bicycle Accident in Chesterfield

OnderLaw understands that the aftermath of an accident is a challenging time. If you’re in pain, unable to work, fielding hospital and medical bills, and have a family to care for, it can seem overwhelming to add more responsibilities to your plate.

Our Chesterfield bicycle accident attorneys are well aware of the daily pressures you face and don’t want you to feel the additional burden of a legal case. When you hire us, we’ll take this responsibility off your shoulders, so all you have to focus on is attending your doctor’s appointments and recovering.

We will thoroughly investigate the crash and work to gather evidence to prove that the driver caused the accident that injured you. Examples of evidence we might obtain include:

  • Pictures of the accident scene
  • Repair estimates for all vehicles involved
  • Statements from witnesses
  • Security video footage of the collision
  • Crash report
  • Your medical records and bills
  • All available insurance policies
  • Lost wage reports from your inability to work

Speak to a Chesterfield Bicycle Accident Attorney

OnderLaw has years of experience representing clients throughout Missouri following their bike accidents. We care about our community and give back in any way we can to make this beautiful city we live in a safer place for everyone. Our reputation speaks for itself, with multiple legal organizations and publications recognizing us for our hard work, dedication, and case results.

We believe that every community member deserves quality legal representation and the opportunity to seek financial compensation for their injuries. When you are in a bike wreck and want a compassionate and experienced Chesterfield bicycle accident lawyer to handle your case, call OnderLaw for a free consultation.