Cycling is an increasingly popular method of commuting and recreation, thanks to its positive impacts on personal health and the environment. However, cyclists on public roads constantly face the risk of being involved in an accident with a motor vehicle.
A bicycle crash can be a disastrous event, often resulting in catastrophic injuries or fatalities for the bicyclist. If you’ve been involved in a bike accident with a negligent driver, you are likely dealing with pain, emotional trauma, and ever-increasing medical bills.
The Advocates’ bicycle accident lawyers have helped thousands of bicycle accident victims over the last 30 years, and we are ready to help you too. We are committed to helping you receive fair compensation for your injuries and damages after your bike crash.
Immediately after your accident, check for injuries
Contact The Advocates as soon as possible to begin the road to recovery
Seek medical attention as soon as you can
Get any property damage assessed and repaired
Once you've completed treatment, your case can move forward
Your Advocate will send a demand letter to the other party
Not every accident requires an attorney. However, if the accident resulted in injuries or significant property damage, it is a good idea to contact a lawyer. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you navigate the claims process, which can be lengthy and complex. Your attorney will build your case, keep track of your medical records, negotiate with insurance companies, and represent you in court if necessary. Studies have shown that accident victims who hire a personal injury lawyer can receive settlements up to 3.5 times larger than if they settled on their own.
The best way to know if you have a case is to speak with an attorney. The Advocates offer free consultations—you can speak with a qualified legal team to understand what your case is worth without paying a dime. Once you have decided to hire an Advocate, we will investigate your accident to firmly establish liability.
Your initial consultation with us is always 100% free. There are never any upfront costs or hidden fees when you hire The Advocates.
Our attorneys work on a contingency basis, which means that our attorney fees are calculated as a percentage of your settlement. You will not pay us unless we win your case, and you receive a settlement.
Every personal injury case is different. There is no one-size-fits-all solution to accident claims. The length of the claims process will depend on the severity of your injuries, the willingness of the other party to settle, the court’s caseload, and more.
In general, personal injury cases can take anywhere from several months to a few years. It’s important to contact an attorney as soon as possible to get your case started. Each state has a statute of limitations for personal injury cases, after which you will lose your right of action.
When you hire The Advocates, we will begin investigating your accident immediately while you finish medical treatment. Once all evidence and medical records have been compiled, your attorney will send a demand letter to the other party’s insurance company. At this point, negotiations will begin.
In many cases, a settlement can be reached during negotiations. If the other party refuses to make a fair offer, you may choose to file a suit. In the litigation phase, your attorney will represent you in court in front of a judge, jury, and/or arbitrator.
For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have taken on thousands of personal injury cases and helped victims receive the compensation and care they deserve. We are prepared to do the same for you.
We can help you:
I was in an accident 3 years ago and had a very bad experience with the attorney back then I was in another accident last year and called the advocates mark and his team were amazing changed my view on accident attorneys they kept I'm touch with me every step of the way gave me authority on choices for myself I didn't have to go with what they said I could go against it and they still would have worked with me the same I had choices this time around I would always go with Mark I have even sent friends his way just cause I appreciate all the help and support the whole way threw.
My experience with the advocates was a good one. After being hit by a car on my motorcycle they helped me with a settlement with the insurance company to get the hospital bills paid. They were extremely helpful. They always answered any questions I had with in a day. Every email I sent was always responded to. If you unfortunately has to go through a injury by another person I would recommend them in helping you resolve any debt you have because if that injury. The Advocates were great to work with and help me get this unfortunate event behind me.
Steve and his crew at The Advocates were nothing short for amazing. They took my case after I was rear-ended resulting in neck surgery. Steve and company made sure all of the was taken care of and that I got the maximum compensation possible. I definitely recommend The Advocates
Mr. Brad Johnson, our lawyer; was Awesome! He was very informative, kept us up to date on my case with regular calls. He returned calls back to us within 24 hours or less. Brad Johnson is very courteous, honest, kind, and a pleasure to talk to and work with. There are very few Lawyers out there that could even come close to the high morals that Brad Johnson has and has shown towards us. We need more lawyers like Brad Johnson . If we ever needed a disability lawyer again in the future; it would be Brad Johnson and The Advocates Firm that he works at. We will definitely turn ALL of our family and friends towards this lawyer and firm; in a heartbeat!!!
I want to First say that I am truly thankful for the advocates Law Firm they have been a great service to me through this ordeal and Katie she is a tremendous lawyer someone that I would recommend she fights tooth and nail for her clients and the rest of the team they supported me to the fullest with that being said I would like to say for anyone who is trying to find an attorney to fight their case The Advocates is the way to go.
Depending on the nature of your accident and the protective gear you were wearing at the time, bicycle accident injuries can range from road rash to life-threatening conditions. Some common types of bicycle injuries are:
Bicycle laws differ from state to state and even between municipalities within the same state. It is important to familiarize yourself with the rules of the road in any area you plan to ride.
Most states’ bike laws require that bikers ride on the right side of the road, unless making a left turn or passing a slow moving vehicle.
Some states require that cyclists use the shoulder or bike lane if one is available. In some states, riding on the sidewalk is legal except in certain municipalities. Other states outlaw the practice altogether.
Helmet laws vary throughout the country; some states require them for all riders, while others only require riders under a certain age to wear them. Still others have no helmet laws whatsoever.
Regardless of your state’s helmet laws, a helmet is a cyclist’s best line of defense. A properly fitting, high-quality bicycle helmet can reduce the risk of head injury by more than 50%.
Other bicycle equipment that increases cyclist safety includes:
Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles when traveling on roadways. This includes obeying traffic signs and signals, such as:
Being as predictable as possible is the best way to stay safe as a cyclist. The drivers around you are likely not expecting you to ride through a stop sign or red light without stopping. Failing to obey the laws at an intersection puts you at high risk of being struck by a vehicle traveling on the road perpendicular to you.
In some states, cyclists are permitted to treat certain signs and signals as yield signs when it is safe to do so, particularly if traffic lights fail to register their presence, a practice known as the “Idaho Stop.”
When turning, cyclists should use the universally-recognized hand signals to alert drivers to their intentions. Using these signals is just as important as using a blinker is for motorists. Many state laws require that cyclists signal their intention to turn or stop.
In general, hand signals should be done using the left arm. The following hand signals help communicate your plans to drivers:
One of the most common causes of collisions between motor vehicles and bicycles is the motorist’s failure to see the cyclist in the moments leading up to the accident. Being as visible as possible is an important way for bicyclists to stay safe while riding.
Some practices that promote cyclist visibility include:
Drivers should also always expect cyclists to be around, and look twice before turning or changing lanes, particularly when the maneuver requires you to cross a bike lane.
Dooring is the cause of between 10-20% of cycling accidents, and is more dangerous than it sounds. Dooring happens when a person parked on the side of the road opens their car door in front of a cyclist. Depending on how quickly the bike rider is moving, hitting a door can cause broken bones, head trauma, and other serious injuries.
Some states and cities, such as New York and Chicago, have implemented laws to help prevent dooring accidents. People in cars are required to look for cyclists before opening their door, and if they fail to do so and cause an accident, they could be faced with fines.
Laws regarding how drivers should behave around cyclists differ from state to state. Regardless of the laws in your area, however, you should be vigilant about keeping yourself and everyone else on the road as safe as possible.
Help prevent bicycle accidents by committing to the following:
Preventing accidents requires the active participation of everyone on the road. Cyclists and motorists are both responsible for keeping public roads safe by following local laws and safety guidelines.
If you were injured in a bicycle accident, it may feel like life will never go back to normal. Your new to-do list likely includes doctor’s appointments, speaking with insurance companies, ensuring your bills get paid, and trying to build an accident claim.
A bike accident lawyer with The Advocates can help. We will be there to listen to your story and help you get started on the road to recovery. We understand that your needs are unique– we will never try to give you a “one-size-fits-all” solution.
The attorneys at The Advocates’ law firm have years of experience representing bicycle accident cases. We are ready to help you build your case, negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance provider, and help you receive the settlement you deserve.
We are here for you every step of the way, with open, honest communication and a direct line of contact with your attorney. Your Advocate has your best interests at heart from the moment you first contact us to the day your case is settled. Contact us today for a free case evaluation. You deserve a personal injury lawyer who understands that your case is just that– personal. You deserve an Advocate.
