If you were involved in a bicycle accident with a car or another vehicle, contact the dedicated personal injury attorneys at OnderLaw to learn about your legal rights and options. We can help you pursue the compensation you need and deserve to recover and get back on your feet.
Bicycles are a great option for exploring the city or commuting to work or to the university. Despite the fact that there are laws and infrastructure in place to protect bike riders, however, drivers still often fail to look for bicyclists, whether they’re riding next to them in a bike path or attempting to make a turn at an intersection. If a motorist’s actions caused the accident that injured you, you have the right to hold them liable.
At OnderLaw, we work hard to give our clients a fresh start and help them move forward after a serious bicycle accident. We’ve successfully secured over $3 billion in settlements for our clients, and numerous organizations have recognized our work, including the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum, and The National Trial Lawyers. Martindale-Hubbell, a peer-rated review service, also gave us an AV® rating, the highest rating you can receive.
You should not and will not be alone in your fight for justice. For a free consultation to discuss your case with a Columbia bicycle accident lawyer, call us.
Many bike accidents occur because drivers become distracted behind the wheel or aren’t paying attention to where they’re going. There are blind spots on every type of vehicle that drivers must check before they turn, change lanes, or merge. If they fail to check their blind spots, they could swerve or turn into a bicyclist, causing a severe accident.
The most common causes of bicycle accidents include:
Biking can provide convenient transportation and an easy way to navigate through the congested roads in Columbia. However, you face many hazards when there are cars, trucks, and other vehicles nearby. If you get hurt in an accident through no fault of your own, you could file an insurance claim or lawsuit to hold the at-fault driver accountable for their actions and pursue the compensation you need to recover physically and financially.
Unlike cars, bicycles don’t have airbags, seatbelts, or other protective equipment to protect you in the event of a collision. Every accident is different, and there’s no way to predict the type or severity of the injuries you may suffer in an accident. However, some of the most common injuries associated with bicycle accidents include:
Sadly, bicyclists involved in vehicle collisions can sustain permanent injuries that require lifelong medical treatment. If you become disabled, you may require assistance with daily tasks, such as driving, cleaning your home, and caring for your family.
The financial burden you might face isn’t something you should have to carry on your own, especially if someone else was at fault for the accident. The skilled Columbia bicycle accident attorneys at OnderLaw are here to help you with your case and seek the maximum available compensation that pays for your past and future losses.
Missouri law requires all drivers to carry auto insurance with liability coverage. This coverage provides compensation for accident victims if the driver is at fault for the crash. Even though you were on a bicycle, you could pursue compensation from the driver’s auto insurance company.
When you file a claim, you can seek a settlement that covers losses, such as:
You might also be entitled to compensation from your own auto insurance company. Many people don’t realize this and assume they don’t have coverage because they are on a bike. However, your insurance company might be able to cover expenses associated with your injury and treatment if you have Medical Payments (MedPay) coverage.
MedPay provides upfront payment for all reasonable and necessary medical care after an accident. When you file a claim, you can pursue coverage up to the limit listed on your policy. Missouri law does not require this form of coverage, but you could file a claim if you purchased it. The insurance company will pay your medical bills up to the limit listed on your policy, anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000.
You also have the option of filing a claim through your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM) insurance. This legally required coverage can provide compensation if the at-fault driver doesn’t have liability insurance or high enough limits to compensate for your total losses. It’s also available if a hit-and-run driver caused the accident.
When you file a UM claim, you can pursue compensation with a proactive Columbia bike crash lawyer for the following:
OnderLaw will request copies of all available insurance policies to determine which insurance companies you can file claims with and how much coverage is available. We will review your total losses, past and future, to come up with a number that we believe will adequately cover your expenses and compensate you for the suffering you endured.
Our goal is to recover the maximum settlement you deserve so you don’t have to deal with the financial burden of a bicycle accident. We will aggressively negotiate with the insurance adjuster and keep your best interests in mind while discussing the settlement amount you should receive. If we can’t reach an agreement, we have experience litigating cases in court and can effectively pursue a lawsuit against the insurance company and at-fault driver.
When you hire one of our bicycle accident lawyers in Columbia, we will handle all aspects of your case. Lawsuits are complex. Most people don’t know their rights or the strict deadlines they must follow if they want to sue someone for compensation. OnderLaw is familiar with state laws and how to prove that someone else caused your injuries.
The deadline required in lawsuits is called a statute of limitations. The statute of limitations in Missouri is five years. What that means is you only have five years from the accident date to file your lawsuit. If the deadline passes, you will likely lose your right to seek compensation from the at-fault driver.
You might have the opportunity to pause the statute “clock” if specific circumstances exist in your case, such as:
You might think five years is plenty of time to pursue a lawsuit after a bicycle accident. However, what most people don’t know is that insurance claims can take a while to resolve. While some settle within a few weeks or months, others can take years. If you filed a claim in hopes of receiving an adequate settlement, but the insurance adjuster then denies it or refuses to budge on a low settlement offer, you would have to begin to prepare a lawsuit.
By that time, time could have run out, barring you from recovering any amount of compensation from the negligent driver. That’s why it is critical that you hire a local legal professional on day one. Immediately after leaving the accident scene, you should seek treatment and legal representation.
At OnderLaw, nearly our entire legal team has grown up in Missouri, giving us an edge over other law firms. We’re familiar with the statutes and procedures required in insurance claims and lawsuits and have established a reputation as leading litigators in Missouri. We use that to our advantage to build a strong case and seek the justice our clients deserve.
We only consider our clients’ best interests when we’re working on their cases. We will dedicate our time, attention, and effort to getting the financial compensation you need to recover from your injuries and get your life back on track. Call OnderLaw today if you were involved in an accident on a bicycle. One of our Columbia bicycle accident lawyers will meet with you for a free consultation, so you can learn about your options for financial recovery.
