Bike Accident Attorney – Bike Accident Lawyer

Talk to a lawyer for Free 24/7 (314) 361-4242 :: We’re located Near You! 20+ Years of Experience & Thousands of Cases. Many people driving cars and trucks simply don’t look for bicycles and accidents can be serious.

Bike riding provides numerous benefits to both cyclists and society. However, a significant drawback to cycling is the danger posed by negligent drivers. When a car or truck strikes a bike, the cyclist’s injury is usually severe, resulting in brain damage, spinal cord injuries or broken bones.

At The Hoffmann Law Firm, L.L.C., our law practice is focused exclusively on helping injured people achieve financial recovery. We concentrate on accidents caused by motor vehicles, including bicycle accidents. With more than 20 years of personal injury experience, attorney Christopher Hoffmann has the knowledge and skill needed to obtain maximum compensation for your bicycle accident claim, whether through negotiations with the insurance company or at trial.

Adherence to road rules may help cyclists avoid accidents with motor vehicles. The “side-of-the-road” rule requires cyclists to use the bike lanes while riding on public roads. However, bike accidents may still happen for numerous reasons including:

• bumping an opening door of a parked vehicle
• getting side-swiped by a passing vehicle
• bumped by a vehicle making a right turn

Cyclists are protected by laws regulating the use of bike lanes. Since cyclists have the same rights as drivers of motor vehicles, cyclists can use the middle part of the traffic lane unless they are prevented by other laws. Cyclists should inform the insurance adjuster about this situation when discussing an insurance claim. Liabilities in accidents involving cars and bicycles are determined by the following rules.

Bike Lanes and Side-of-Road Rules

Cyclists should use the right side of the road if they cannot keep up with motor vehicle traffic. Cyclists are required to use bike lanes if these are provided. A cyclist should only leave the bike lane or the side of the road:

• if the cyclist can keep up with the traffic
• if the space for the bike lane is restricted
• when making left turns
• to avoid obstructions

A person opening a car door will nearly always be at fault since the law requires a cyclist to pass close to cars that are parked and doors cannot be opened unless it is safe.

Space Provided To Passing Vehicles

Motor vehicles are required to provide a three-foot space while they are passing. However, it is not easy to be accurate in recreating an incident. This situation is further made difficult when it comes to trucks, buses, and SUVs. Motor vehicles should avoid passing cyclists using the road unless it is already safe. Motorists should slow down and wait for a good opportunity to pass and cyclists are not required to allow the motorist to pass except on the far right lane.

An adjuster may inform a cyclist involved in an accident that he or she was not as far to the right as necessary, to which the cyclist can reply that the motorist should have waited for a safe opportunity to pass. The width of the bicycle and traffic lane should be measured if the vehicle that hit the cyclist is wider than a standard vehicle. The cyclist can have an advantage in the claim if the extra width of the vehicle makes passing safely a difficult thing to do.

Right-of-Way Right Turn

A car turning right is among the most common type of accident involving cyclists. Cars may slow down while making a right turn into the path of a cyclist or simply turn right without seeing the cyclist. The motorist is at fault in these instances since the vehicle can only turn when it is already safe to do so. The side-of-the-road rule gives cyclists the privilege to continue driving through intersections without stopping for right-turning motorists.

Proving Liability and Damages in Bicycle Accidents

Many people driving cars and trucks simply don’t look for bicycles or believe that they don’t belong in traffic. In Missouri, however, bicyclists have the right to travel on the side of the road as long as they are abiding by the traffic laws.

When handling a cyclist injury claim, we interview witnesses, gather evidence and work with seasoned investigators to identify who was at fault. We also analyze damage to the bike and car and examine the accident scene. We then prepare a strong case that proves the fault of the driver in causing the bicycle accident.

Frequent causes of bicycle accidents include:

• The driver was driving drunk
• The driver wasn’t looking when he or she pulled into traffic from a parking lot or driveway and crashed into the cyclist
• The driver was looking in the wrong direction when making a turn and hit the bike rider in the intersection
• The driver failed to yield at an intersection or traffic light

We regularly retain the services of some of the top medical professionals in the St. Louis area. These experts offer testimony regarding the extent of our client’s injuries, the costs of past and future medical treatment, and any permanent disabilities resulting from the bike accident.