Were you injured in a bicycle accident? Was it the result of another person’s negligent or careless actions? If so, contact the personal injury attorneys at OnderLaw immediately for legal representation. You might be entitled to financial compensation for your expenses, losses, and the suffering you’ve had to endure.

In a collision, a bicycle is no match for a 3,000-pound vehicle. Unlike cars, bicycles don’t come with safety devices, such as seatbelts and airbags. A crash with a vehicle could easily knock a bicyclist to the ground, causing severe injuries. If the driver’s actions resulted in the crash, you could hold them liable for your medical treatment and other costs.

The Ferguson bicycle accident lawyers of OnderLaw have been providing dependable and compassionate representation to clients in Missouri since 2002. We have won over $3 billion so far in settlements and jury verdicts for accident victims. When you hire us, you can feel confident knowing you’re in experienced and capable hands.

For a free consultation with one of our Ferguson bicycle accident lawyers, call OnderLaw today. We can meet with you to review your case and determine the available legal options for pursuing the compensation you need and deserve.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents In Ferguson

Bicycle accidents can occur for many reasons, but, usually, driver error is a factor. No matter the reason for your accident, you have the right to seek legal action against the driver or another party if their actions caused your injuries.

The most common causes of bike accidents include:

  • Turning right without checking for a bicyclist in the crosswalk
  • Failure to check blind spots
  • Opening car door without checking for an oncoming bicyclist
  • Weaving in and out of traffic
  • Speeding
  • Failure to yield the right of way
  • Backing up from a parking space without looking for a passing bicyclist
  • Driver error or inattention

At OnderLaw , we understand the aftermath of a bike accident can be a challenging time. You may be struggling with daily pain while facing expensive medical bills and lost wages if you’re unable to work. We will work efficiently to resolve your case so that you can focus on recovering and moving forward.

Bicyclists Can Suffer Severe Injuries in Accidents

When you collide with a car, truck, or another type of vehicle, the injuries you sustain can be severe. The only thing protecting you is your helmet if you’re wearing one, and even that isn’t enough to prevent life-threatening injuries and fatalities.

The most common injuries bicyclists sustain in accidents with motor vehicles include:

  • Traumatic brain injury
  • Spinal cord injuries
  • Broken bones
  • Concussion
  • Internal bleeding
  • Organ failure
  • Paralysis
  • Head and neck injuries
  • Dislocated joints
  • Nerve, tissue, and muscle damage
  • Cuts, lacerations, and wounds
  • Road rash

We know no amount of money can take away the physical and emotional pain you’ve experienced as a result of the accident, but we hope the compensation we win for you can provide substantial financial relief. We will work vigorously to secure an insurance settlement or jury verdict that fully compensates you for your past and future losses.

Seeking Compensation From the Driver’s Insurance Company

Missouri law requires all drivers to purchase auto insurance with liability coverage. This coverage could compensate an accident victim for their various losses, such as:

  • Medical bills
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Loss of enjoyment of life
  • Property damage
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity
  • Loss of consortium
  • Wrongful death

The fault system holds the at-fault driver financially responsible for the injured person’s losses related to the accident. You could seek compensation by filing a liability claim and negotiating for a settlement. Unfortunately, insurance companies place profit over a claimant’s best interests. They will search for a reason to deny your claim or offer a low settlement that doesn’t adequately compensate you for your expenses and suffering. That’s why it is critical that you hire an experienced Ferguson bicycle accident attorney.

At OnderLaw , our Ferguson bike crash attorneys know how to pursue the maximum compensation our clients deserve. When an insurance adjuster finds out that you sought legal representation, they’ll have a hard time taking advantage of you. We know your rights, and we can determine the full value of your claim. We will gather all the necessary evidence to show that the insurance company should pay for the costs you incurred as a result of the accident.

You Could File a Claim With Your Insurance Company

Many bike accident victims are surprised to learn that they file a claim with their own auto insurance company. Even though your accident occurred while you were on a bike, your policy could compensate you for certain losses if you sustained injuries.

Another required insurance coverage in Missouri is uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM). UM insurance is available to use if the other driver doesn’t have liability insurance or enough coverage to satisfy your losses.

When you file a UM claim, you could pursue compensation for:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Property damage
  • Medical bills
  • Lost wages
  • Lost earning capacity

An optional type of coverage you might also have on your policy is Medical Payments (Med Pay). Med Pay comes with coverage limits between $1,000 and $10,000. If you chose to add this to your insurance policy, you could use it to pay for your reasonable and necessary medical expenses.

It works much like health insurance by paying upfront for medical bills. The insurance company will pay for any out of pocket expenses associated with your medical care up to the coverage amount you chose to purchase.

Laws for Filing a Lawsuit In Ferguson

Missouri laws require that you file your bike accident lawsuit in a civil court within five years of the date of the accident and injury, per the state’s statute of limitations. Statutes of limitations limit the time period that an individual or party has to file a lawsuit. That means you have five years to initiate legal action against the driver and their insurance company. After five years pass, you’ll lose your right to seek compensation for your losses.

During the legal process, your Ferguson bicycle accident lawyer will communicate with all associated parties. After the accident, it’s important that you don’t accept blame for the accident or discuss fault in general. Investigators will determine fault, and you don’t want to say something that could be used against you. If your actions contributed to your injuries in any way, you could end up with less compensation than you deserve.

Modified comparative negligence is a statute in Missouri that diminishes an accident victim’s compensation by their percentage of shared fault. For example, if your losses total $100,000 but a jury finds that your actions were 25% to blame for the crash, you would only be entitled to a maximum of $75,000 in compensation.

What Should I Do If I Can’t Afford A Lawyer?

One of the most common reasons accident victims handle their case without a lawyer’s help is because of their concern about lawyer fees. At OnderLaw , we know many of our clients can’t afford to pay legal fees while pursuing compensation after a bike accident.

That’s why we take all cases on a contingency fee basis. That means you don’t have to pay us upfront to represent you in your case. We don’t get paid unless you get paid, and you won’t have to pay us any fees or costs if we’re unable to recover compensation in an insurance claim or lawsuit.

We also offer a free and confidential consultation. When you don’t know where to turn after an accident, you can speak with us for free about the details of your case and receive legal advice. You’ve suffered enough due to another person’s negligent actions and shouldn’t have to face an additional financial burden while exploring your legal options.

Contact a Ferguson Bicycle Accident Attorney

We know the importance of hiring a Ferguson bicycle accident lawyer you can trust. We take the time to get to know our clients and develop a close relationship with them. We’ll listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and work to reach your specific legal goals. Our legal team will only have your best interests in mind while we’re working on your case.

OnderLaw has a reputation that speaks for itself. Martindale-Hubbell, a peer-rated review service, gave us an AV® rating, the highest rating an attorney can receive. We’ve received recognition and awards from legal organizations, such as Super Lawyers, the Million Dollar Advocates Forum, Litigator Awards, and The National Trial Lawyers. We’ve always been featured in the media for our work on some high-profile cases.

We have the skills and resources needed to secure a positive outcome in your case. If you were involved in a bicycle accident, call OnderLaw for your free and confidential consultation.