St. Louis Bicycle Accident Attorneys – Free Consultation

Cyclists are the most vulnerable users of our roadways. They are exposed and unprotected, sharing space with thousand-pound vehicles.

The stakes are high and the margin of error is low. One mistake by a driver or moment of inattention can result in catastrophic injuries for the cyclist.

At Niemeyer, Grebel and Kruse, our St. Louis bicycle accident lawyers have represented many accident victims who have been seriously injured in collisions with vehicles. We know the devastation that these accidents can cause and we fight aggressively to get our clients the compensation they need and deserve.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident, please contact us today at (314) 350-1900 for a free consultation. We will review your case and advise you of your legal options.

How a St. Louis bicycle accident lawyer can help after your accident

The weeks and months after a bicycle accident can be stressful. You might be dealing with serious injuries, medical expenses, missed time from work, and the insurance company might be giving you the runaround.

Insurance companies know this is a stressful time, and they will try to use it to their advantage. Often, insurance companies will try to minimize the severity of your injuries or argue that you are partially at fault for the accident.

An experienced lawyer will be able to navigate these issues for you, and they will fight for the full and fair compensation you deserve. This will allow you to focus on resting and recovering from your injuries.

At Niemeyer, Grebel and Kruse, we have decades of combined experience representing victims of bicycle collisions. We will thoroughly investigate your accident, speak to witnesses, review police reports, and consult with experts to build a strong case on your behalf. We will not hesitate to take your case to trial if the insurance company does not offer a fair settlement.

Contact us today at (314) 350-1900 for a free consultation.

Common causes of bicycle accidents

A bicycle accident occurs when a cyclist is involved in a collision, either with a motor vehicle, another cyclist, a pedestrian, or due to hazardous road conditions. These accidents can range from minor falls to severe crashes that result in serious injuries or fatalities. Bicycle accidents can happen in urban areas, residential streets, or rural roads and are often caused by a combination of factors related to both cyclists and other road users.

Common causes of bicycle accidents:

• Driver Inattention or Distracted Driving: Motorists failing to notice cyclists because they are distracted by their phones, GPS, or other activities.
• Failure to Yield: Drivers not yielding the right of way to cyclists at intersections or while making turns can lead to collisions.
• Dooring: When a driver or passenger opens a car door without checking for approaching cyclists, causing the rider to collide with the door.
• Speeding: Excessive speed by motorists reduces reaction time, making it harder to avoid hitting a cyclist.
• Unsafe Lane Changes: Drivers making sudden or unsafe lane changes without checking their blind spots may hit cyclists.
• Driving Under the Influence: Impaired driving due to alcohol or drugs reduces a motorist’s ability to operate their vehicle safely, increasing the risk to cyclists.
• Poor Road Conditions: Potholes, debris, or poorly maintained roads can cause cyclists to lose control and crash.
• Cyclist Inexperience: Inexperienced cyclists may have difficulty navigating traffic or following road rules, leading to accidents.
• Running Red Lights or Stop Signs: Both drivers and cyclists who run red lights or stop signs increase the likelihood of an accident at intersections.
• Weather Conditions: Rain, snow, or fog can make roads slippery and reduce visibility, increasing the risk for accidents involving cyclists.

Understanding the rights that cyclists have on Missouri roads

Under Missouri’s traffic laws, cyclists are considered vehicles and are subject to the same rules of the road as cars and trucks.

This means that cyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic, obey traffic signals and stop signs, use hand signals to indicate turns, and yield to pedestrians.

Cyclists also have the right to ride on most Missouri highways, with some exceptions. On roads where the speed limit is greater than 50 mph, cyclists are generally not allowed.

On roads with bicycle lanes, cyclists must use the bike lanes unless it is unsafe to do so. If a cyclist must leave the bike lane, they must signal and check for traffic before merging into the travel lane. If a car enters the bike lane, the driver must yield to the cyclist.

Missouri law also requires that all cyclists under the age of 18 must wear an approved bicycle helmet when riding.

How common are bicycle accidents in St. Louis?

Every year, there are thousands of bicycle accidents in the United States. In 2015, 818 cyclists were killed in collisions with motor vehicles, and 45,000 were injured.

Missouri is not immune to this problem. In 2016, there were 160 reported bicycle accidents in St. Louis City and County, resulting in 166 injuries and 5 fatalities.

The majority of these accidents occur during the summer months, with the most happening in August. The time of day when most accidents occur is between 3 and 6 pm, when most cars are on the road and visibility is starting to worsen.

Most bike accidents happen at intersections, particularly those with stop signs or traffic lights. The next most common type of accident is when a car rear-ends a cyclist, and the third most common is when a car turns into the path of a cyclist.

Unfortunately, bicycle accidents are often caused by driver negligence. Drivers might be distracted, speeding, or might just fail to yield to cyclists.

Typical bicycle accident injuries

Bicycle accidents often result in serious injuries. Because cyclists are unprotected and vulnerable, they can be seriously hurt even in low-speed collisions.

Common injuries from bicycle accidents include broken bones, road rash, head injuries, spinal cord injuries and traumatic brain injuries. These injuries can require extensive medical treatment, and some might even be life-threatening.

In addition to the physical injuries, bicycle accidents can be traumatic. Bicycle accident victims often suffer from emotional trauma, such as anxiety and depression. These issues can be just as debilitating as the physical injuries, and can have a major impact on every aspect of your life.

What should I do if I’m involved in a bicycle accident?

If you are involved in a bicycle accident, there are some important steps that you should take to protect your rights.

First, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible, even if you do not think that you are seriously injured. Often, injuries from bicycle accidents do not become apparent until hours or even days after the accident.

Next, you should try to get the contact information of any witnesses to the accident. These witnesses can provide valuable testimony if your case goes to trial.

You should also take pictures of the scene of the accident, as well as any injuries that you have suffered. This evidence can be crucial in proving your case.

Finally, you should contact an experienced bicycle accident lawyer who can help you navigate the legal process and fight for the compensation that you deserve.

How to file a Missouri bicycle accident injury claim

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, you might be entitled to compensation for your injuries. In order to recover this compensation, you will need to file a personal injury claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company.

This can be a complex process, and it is important to have an experienced lawyer on your side. Your lawyer will be able to gather evidence to support your claim, negotiate with the insurance company, and fight for the compensation that you deserve.

Understanding fault in Missouri bicycle accident cases

In order to recover compensation in a Missouri bicycle accident case, you will need to prove that the other driver was at fault for the accident.

There are many ways to do this, but some of the most common methods include:

• Proving that the driver was distracted at the time of the accident
• Proving that the driver was speeding at the time of the accident
• Showing that the driver failed to yield to the cyclist

An experienced bicycle accident lawyer will know how to investigate your case and gather the evidence needed to prove fault.

What is the statute of limitations in Missouri bicycle accident cases?

In Missouri, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims is five years. This means that you have five years from the date of the accident to file a claim.

While this might seem like a comfortable amount of time to file a claim, it’s important to file your claim as soon as possible. The longer it is after an accident, the harder it is to gather evidence to support your case.

For example, witnesses might move away or forget what happened. The sooner you file your claim, the better chance you have of recovering the compensation you deserve.

How much is my case worth?

There is no cap to the compensation you can receive in Missouri bike accident cases. The amount of money you are entitled to will depend on the specific facts and circumstances of your case.

Some of the factors that will affect your compensation include:

• The severity of your injuries
• The cost of your medical treatment
• The amount of work you missed as a result of your injuries
• Your pain and suffering

An experienced bicycle accident lawyer will be able to evaluate your case and give you a better idea of the compensation you might be entitled to.

Work with experienced St. Louis bicycle accident attorneys

At NGK Law, our experienced St. Louis bicycle accident attorneys have a proven track record of success. We have recovered millions of dollars for our clients, and we are ready to put our experience to work for you.

We understand the complex legal process, and we will fight for the full and fair compensation that you deserve. today for a free consultation – (314) 350-1900.