Were you injured in a bike accident in Ladue, MO? If so, you may have a right to recover compensation for the damages you suffered. However, the opposing party will likely fight hard to prevent you from recovering the compensation you need and deserve.
That is where the Ladue bicycle accident lawyers from Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers come in.
Since 2010, our personal injury lawyers have recovered over $100 million. We don’t believe that you should have to shoulder the financial burden brought on by the careless actions of another. We are here to make things right for you.
Contact us today at (314) 444 4444 for a free case review with a bicycle accident attorney in Ladue, Missouri. You can learn more about your legal rights and options.
How Can Our Ladue Personal Injury Lawyers Help After a Bicycle Accident?
Bicycle accident victims often suffer serious injuries because they lack any protection against the full force and weight of a vehicle. Victims often struggle with serious injuries, lost income, and unpaid medical bills. They typically do not have the strength, resources, or desire to deal with insurance adjusters whose sole job is to minimize payouts.
Our Ladue personal injury attorneys have over 100 years of combined legal experience. Our lawyers have received some of the top honors in the legal field, including National Trial Lawyers Top 100 Trial Lawyers, AV rating by Martindale-Hubbell, St. Louis Magazine’s Best Lawyers in St. Louis, and members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum.
When you hire Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers, you can trust us to take care of the following:
- Conducting an independent investigation to determine the factors that contributed to the accident and who is responsible for it
- Gathering evidence to support your claim, including accident reports, witness statements, photos and videos of the accident, and medical records
- Handling communications with insurance companies and other parties on your behalf
- Managing claim paperwork and case deadlines
- Negotiating for top dollar for your claim
Learn more about how we can help when you contact our Ladue bicycle accident attorneys for your free case review.
How Common Are Bicycle Accidents in Missouri?
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 938 bicyclists were killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2020, accounting for 2.4% of all fatal traffic accidents that year. This number represented a 9% increase in the number of bicyclists killed in traffic accidents in 2019.
The Missouri State Highway Patrol reports that ten bicyclists were killed in accidents in 2022. That same year, 117 pedestrians were killed in motor vehicle accidents.
What Is My Ladue Bike Accident Case Worth?
Bicycle accidents can result in serious injuries, excessive medical bills, and significant time off work. The value of bike accident claims often reflects these realities.
Every case is different, so there is no standard or average bike accident claim value.
Rather, individual factors can influence the potential value of your case, including:
- The type of injuries you suffered
- The severity of your injuries
- Your recovery period
- Whether your injuries were permanent in nature
- Whether you lost time from work
- Whether your injuries impact your ability to work the same job
- The type of medical treatment you require
- Whether you will likely incur medical expenses in the future
- How your daily life was affected
- The extent of the pain and suffering you experienced
At Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers, our Ladue bicycle accident lawyers will take the time to listen to your story and personally analyze your case. Contact us today to get started with your free case review.
What Damages Can I Recover in a Ladue Bicycle Accident Case?
Missouri law allows accident victims to recover compensation for the economic and non-economic losses they suffer in a bike accident, such as:
- Medical costs you incurred because of the accident, including hospital stays, emergency treatment and transportation, surgery costs, diagnostic tests, imaging tests, lab costs, medication, in-home care, and medical equipment
- Future anticipated medical expenses, including costs for rehabilitation, physical therapy, and ongoing care
- Lost wages and employment benefits
- Reduced earning capacity if you cannot work the same job or have to be placed on light duty because of your injuries
- Costs to repair or replace your bicycle and other damaged personal property
- Emotional injuries caused by the accident, such as PTSD, depression, or anxiety
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional anguish and mental distress
- Lost quality of life if you are unable to enjoy the same activities you enjoyed before the accident
- Permanent disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium if your injuries affect your intimate relationships
Bicycle accident claims can be significant, so you need a strong legal advocate in your corner.
What Happens To My Compensation If I Was Partially At Fault For a Bicycle Accident in Missouri?
It is not uncommon for bike accidents to result in unconsciousness or serious injuries that involve the victim being quickly taken from the scene of the accident. This means that the motorist may be the only one there to give their perspective to responding law enforcement. They will usually try to minimize their own negligence and might even try to blame the cyclist.
If you are found partially at fault for the accident, your compensation can be reduced by your degree of responsibility. For example, if you are found 10% at fault for the accident, your compensation is reduced by 10%.
Keep in mind, however, that you do not have to accept the insurance company’s first offer or their statement that you are at fault. The insurance company has a vested interest in trying to minimize the value of your claim so that it does not have to pay as much money to you. Having an experienced bike accident lawyer on your side can level the playing field.
What Injuries Often Accompany a Bicycle Accident?
Even if you were wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, you can still suffer debilitating injuries. You lack the protection provided by a steel frame and airbags.
Common injuries accident victims suffer in bike accidents include:
- Head injuries
- Spinal cord damage
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Amputations
- Broken bones
- Road rash
- Arm, wrist, and hand injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
These injuries can be expensive to treat, so it’s essential you work with a legal advocate who can secure the compensation you need.
What Are the Common Causes of Bike Accidents?
Bike accidents are often caused by negligent drivers who forget they are sharing the roads with bicyclists, pedestrians, and other vulnerable road users.
Drivers may be negligent by doing any of the following:
- Speeding
- Driving while impaired
- Drowsy driving
- Distracted driving
- Failing to yield the right-of-way to cyclists
- Running red lights or stop signs
- Failing to keep a lookout for bicyclists and other vulnerable road users
- Opening doors into the path of bicyclists
- Reversing without looking for cyclists
- Making lane changes without looking or signaling
- Making unsafe turns into the pathway of motorists
Some bike accidents are due to problems with road design or a lack of dedicated infrastructure. Our experienced lawyers can thoroughly investigate your case and determine who is at fault for your damages.
How Can I Prove Negligence After a Bike Accident?
To recover compensation in a bike accident claim, you will need to prove that the driver was responsible. Your story and their story may drastically differ, so having objective evidence establishing fault can help you meet your burden of proof.
Possible evidence that an experienced bike accident lawyer can secure in your case might include:
- Accident reports
- Eyewitness statements
- Medical records
- Photos or videos of the accident scene
- The location of property damage
- Skid marks, car parts, and other physical evidence
- Electronic data stored in the vehicle
In some cases, a lawyer may hire an accident reconstruction expert to provide additional evidence about how an accident happened.
What Is the Time Limit For Filing a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in Missouri?
In Missouri, you have a limited amount of time to file a lawsuit after being harmed. This is called the statute of limitations. The statute of limitations for personal injury cases in Missouri is generally five years from the accident date. The statute of limitations in a wrongful death case is three years from the date of death.
However, if the claim is against the government, the time limit can be much shorter. If you do not take legal action within the applicable statute of limitations, you can lose your right to recover financial compensation for your losses through the court system.
Contact Our Ladue Bicycle Accident Lawyers For Your Free Consultation
If you were injured or lost a loved one in a bike accident, reach out to our firm for help. The Ladue bicycle accident lawyers from Schultz & Myers Personal Injury Lawyers provide legal assistance to victims. We can handle all aspects of your claim and fight for the compensation you deserve. Call us at (314) 444 4444 for your free case review today.
