Bicycle Accident Attorney in Minneapolis

When you got onto your bicycle to ride to work, to the store, to exercise, or to simply ride for leisure, the last thing you expected was for someone's negligence to cause you to become injured. You were simply minding your own business. Biking and cycling are popular recreational and transportation activities throughout the United States. Between 2006 and 2020, the number of bikers and competitive cyclists grew from roughly only 9 percent of Americans participating to more than 52.73 million riders in 2020.

Whether cyclists use their bikes for recreation or transportation, they must remain vigilant and cautious while sharing the roadway with automobiles. Sadly, too many cyclists find themselves in accidents with drivers every day, and while there are ways to prevent accidents and seek compensation, some riders don’t live to seek recompense. You have the right under Minnesota law to pursue the negligent party for monetary damages. These damages include medical expenses, lost wages from not being able to work due to your injuries, pain and suffering, and much more. Your Minneapolis bicycle accident attorney will evaluate your case and inform you of what your options are.

Despite many safety improvements, biker and driver accidents still happen too frequently. While there isn’t one reason for biker and driver accidents, many are caused by these common causes:

• Driver Distraction: When drivers aren’t paying attention to the road or their surroundings, they can easily miss a cyclist sharing the roadway.
• Roadway Space: Roadway space is an issue for bikers, but even when roadways provide ample room, many drivers are not accustomed to sharing the road with cyclists and don’t leave enough room for bike riders to maneuver to avoid crashes.
• Speeding: Drivers who speed on roads they share with bikers have less time to react to any course changes made by the bike rider. When drivers speed, collisions with bikers can be fatal.
• Failing to Signal: When drivers fail to signal, cyclists can be in grave danger because they aren’t expecting a vehicle to enter their lane.
• Failure to Stop: Running a stoplight or sign can put a vehicle on a direct collision course with bikers and other vehicles and lead to serious multi-operator accidents.
• DUIs: When vehicle operators are under the influence of drugs or alcohol, their reaction times are reduced, and their awareness is impaired. DUIs cause many serious and injurious accidents every year.

Common Injuries Seen in Bicycle Accident Victims

• Head Impact and Brain Injuries: Injuries to your head and brain are serious. These injuries include skull fractures, concussions, head contusions, and hemorrhages.
• Back and Neck Injuries: Being thrown from your bike can lead to spine injuries, whiplash, damaged ligaments, nerves damage, herniated discs, and spinal cord injuries.
• Face Injuries: If you’re thrown from your bike, your face is vulnerable to injury. Facial injuries include fractures, dental issues, and nose damage.
• Hip Injuries: Failing or being thrown from your bike can lead to hip trauma. The force of being ejected from your bike can cause a hip fracture, bursitis, joint damage, and labral tears.
• Leg, Knee, and Foot Injuries: Your legs, knees, and feet are usually heavily injured in a bicycle collision. If they are exposed to the road, the injury can be even more severe. Injuries usually include broken bones, skin and soft tissue injuries, and internal damage.
• Internal Injuries: Your internal organs can be damaged by blunt force or penetrating trauma from interacting with other objects after falling or being ejected from your bike. Internal injury means your organs have been injured in the accident.

What to Do if You’re Involved in a Bicycle Accident

If you are involved in a bicycle accident, it’s important to take care of yourself and protect your interests as much as possible. How much you can do after an accident is dependent on the severity of the collision.

If you can do the following without further injury, you should:

• Call or wait for law enforcement
• Refuse negotiations with the driver
• Secure the driver’s and witness contact information
• Document your recollection of events
• Submit a police report
• Have medical professionals examine you and document your injuries
• Protect any evidence you’ve collected
• Delay negotiations with insurance companies
• Hire a bicycle accident attorney to protect your interests

Determining Bicycle Accident Personal Injury Compensation

If your case goes to court, many factors can affect any compensation award. Many issues can influence a financial judgment, such as:

• Medical Expenses: When a biker and automobile collide, the cyclist typically has significant injuries. A bike rider injured in a collision with a driver will likely need a long-term recovery period that includes medication, physical therapy, and even future medical expense for follow-up examinations.
• Loss of Employment Income: A serious accident like a collision with a driver can leave a biker recovering for many weeks. The time away from work means lost income, sick leave, and possible bonuses at work.
• Property Loss: Depending on the accident's severity, a cyclist's bike could have been damaged beyond repair. If the cyclist’s bike was destroyed or severely damaged in the collision, they could receive compensation for their loss.
• Pain and Suffering: Experiencing a traumatic injury can leave a victim with physical and emotional distress. The mental anguish from the accident may be weighed in the case and considered when determining compensation.

What Happens If a Driver Flees the Scene?

In the unfortunate event of a hit-and-run involving a cyclist, the repercussions extend far beyond the physical injuries sustained. When a driver flees the scene after colliding with a cyclist, they not only violate traffic laws but also potentially endanger the life of the cyclist and evade responsibility for their actions.

Criminal Charges

One of the immediate consequences for the fleeing driver is the possibility of facing criminal charges. Hit-and-run offenses are typically considered serious offenses, especially when they result in bodily harm or property damage. Depending on the jurisdiction and the severity of the incident, the driver may face misdemeanor or felony charges, which can lead to fines, license suspension or revocation, and even imprisonment.

Civil Liability

In addition to criminal charges, the driver may also face civil liability for the damages caused. Civil lawsuits can be filed by the injured cyclist or their family to seek compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses resulting from the accident. Even if the driver is not convicted of a criminal offense, they can still be held liable in civil court for their negligence.

Insurance Ramifications

For the cyclist involved in the hit-and-run, navigating the aftermath can be challenging. Without the at-fault driver's information, seeking compensation for damages becomes more complex. However, depending on the cyclist's insurance coverage, they may be able to file a claim through their own uninsured motorist coverage or other applicable policies to cover their medical expenses and property damage.

Contact Meshbesher & Associates

If you or a loved one has been injured due to a negligent motorist while riding your bicycle, you need to seek legal help so that you do not have to pay for your injuries. Our experienced personal injury lawyers in Minneapolis will fight hard for you and use the legal system to work in your favor. We will gather all of the essential information needed to build a strong case for you.