Bicycle Accident Attorneys in St. Louis, MO

Bicycle Injury Lawyers Serving Missouri & Illinois

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Bicyclists are far more likely to suffer serious, life-threatening injuries when they are involved in traffic accidents (opens in new tab) with cars or other vehicles. This is because:

• Bicyclists have little to no protection from impacts with cars (opens in new tab) (other than potentially a helmet).
  • This stands in contrast to drivers, who have air bags, seatbelts and other safety mechanisms that can protect them in the event of a traffic accident.
• The significant weight of cars and other motor vehicles when compared to bicycles means that, even at slow speeds, car versus bicycle collisions can cause serious damage to cyclists.

What can make matters worse are the facts that:

• Drivers are often on the lookout for other cars or larger vehicles and may forget to (or intentionally fail to) share the road with bicyclists.
• Bicyclists can be especially difficult for drivers to see at night if cyclists are not wearing the proper safety gear.
• Driver error, such as failing to obey traffic laws, can result in potentially fatal bicycle accidents. Other examples of driver negligence that can cause serious bicycle accidents include driver intoxication, driver fatigue and driver distraction.

Quick Summary

• Pedestrian accident liability depends on the full circumstances of the crash, including traffic signals, crossing location, lighting, visibility, roadway conditions, and the actions of both the driver and pedestrian.
• Drivers may cause pedestrian collisions by failing to yield, speeding, driving distracted or impaired, ignoring traffic signals, making unsafe turns, or backing without checking for people in their path.
• Useful evidence can include police reports, roadway photographs, traffic-camera footage, surveillance video, dashcam recordings, witness statements, vehicle damage, and medical records.
• Pedestrian crashes can cause brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, fractures, internal trauma, severe soft-tissue injuries, permanent disability, and, in fatal cases, may support a wrongful death claim.
• Brown & Brown investigates disputed-fault pedestrian accidents, documents medical and financial losses, works with insurance companies, and prepares cases for litigation when a fair settlement cannot be reached.

Bicycle Accident Injuries and Lawsuits

What can Happen if the Cyclist Causes an Accident

Cyclists who cause accidents are, like anyone liable for an accident, responsible for the damages. It is important to note, however, that even when insured, it is unlikely that a cyclist’s car insurance will cover property or vehicle damage. Private insurance may be an option. Here’s the thing: the only way to know for certain who caused an accident is through a comprehensive investigation. Liability may be shared or the accident may have made it look as if one party was responsible when in fact it was something else entirely. This is one of the most compelling reasons to hire an attorney.

Can a Cyclist Sue a Driver?

Yes, absolutely. A cyclist who is injured by a driver can take legal action to seek compensation for any medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and personal pain and suffering she or he may have encountered as a result of the accident. The best way to learn if you have a case is through a free review at our St. Louis office.

Does Insurance Cover Bicycle Accidents?

Sometimes. Car insurance will often cover a cyclist who is injured by a driver but is unlikely to cover property damage done to a car if a cyclist is at fault. This is, of course, not the case with every policy. The only way to know if you are covered – both as a cyclist and a motorist – is by reviewing your policy.

How Much your Bicycle Accident Case could be Worth

It is not profitable to pay large settlements. Insurance companies do not willingly give the type of settlements achieved through legal action. You are almost always better off with a lawyer (opens in new tab) on your side.

Is it Possible to Recover Damages if my Bicycle Accident was Caused by Unsafe Pavement or Road Conditions?

Yes. Municipalities have a responsibility to make sure streets, bike paths, and walkways are passable and safe for all who may have occasion to use them. When a defective or poorly maintained piece of city property increases risks for an accident, government entities can be held accountable for their negligence through a personal injury claim (opens in new tab).

Consult Our Experienced Vehicle Accident Lawyers

Brown & Brown has represented clients in a variety of vehicle accident cases, including claims involving bicyclists. For a free review of your case (opens in new tab), contact our convenient office today. Call us at the 3s in St. Louis ((314) 333-3333 / (573) 333-3333) for service in Missouri, or dial the 8s for help in Illinois: (618) 888-8888.

Reviewed by Dan Brown, Founding Partner

This content is reviewed by Dan Brown (opens in new tab), Founding Partner at Brown & Brown Attorneys at Law. Since co-founding the firm in 1993, Dan has represented thousands of clients in personal injury and workers’ compensation cases throughout Missouri and Illinois. Before returning to St. Louis to establish the firm, he tried more than 100 cases while working for the Prosecutor’s Office in Downtown Chicago.