Indiana Bicycle Accident Lawyer
With an average of one bicycle accident reported every day in Indiana, it can be dangerous for cyclists to share the road with large vehicles. If you’re in an accident, an experienced Indiana bicycle accident lawyer can help you obtain financial justice to cover the costs of your medical treatment, lost wages, and the suffering you experience.
Did you recently get hurt while riding your bike in Indiana? Whether you were hit by a car or crashed because of a dangerous condition on the road, it’s important to explore your legal options. You may have the right to recover compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and suffering. The experienced Indiana bicycle accident lawyers at Stein Law Firm are ready to help you maximize your financial recovery.
Collectively, our award-winning litigators have over 75 years of experience fighting for the rights of injury victims in Southern Indiana, Northwestern Kentucky, and surrounding areas. Tireless advocates for our clients, we’ve won over $20 million in revitalizing financial awards.
Let us take on negligent motorists, insurance companies, and other tough defendants. You focus on recovering and getting back on your feet. Contact our Indiana law offices, conveniently located in New Albany and Clarksville, to get started with a free case evaluation today.
How common are bicycle accidents in Indiana?
Bicycle accidents have been steadily decreasing across the state of Indiana in recent years. In 2016, there were 927 bike accidents reported in Indiana, compared with 684 bicycle-related crashes in 2020. That’s about a 26 percent decrease in just a few short years.
In 2020, a total of 481 bicyclists were injured in these crashes, and at least 18 were killed.
While total collisions dropped, fatal bicycle accidents increased during that same period, with 1.6 percent of bicycle accidents resulting in fatalities in 2016, compared with 2.6 percent in 2020.
How can an Indiana personal injury lawyer help me after a bike accident?
Your life can change in an instant when you are struck by a vehicle while riding your bicycle in Indiana. Since you have very little to protect yourself, injuries can be catastrophic. Medical bills can add up quickly and may be exacerbated by a sudden loss of income.
The trauma of your accident can touch every corner of your life, and you shouldn’t be left to deal with the consequences on your own. If you were hurt because someone else was negligent, that person must be held accountable.
That’s where our Indiana personal injury lawyers can help.
We have extensive experience handling tough bicycle accident cases like yours. We have the resources to match the most powerful adversaries you’ll face. We have a reputation for going above and beyond for our clients and getting top results.
When you trust our Indiana personal injury law firm with your bicycle accident case, we will:
- Investigate your bicycle accident to determine why it happened and who’s at fault
- Gather critical pieces of evidence that can be used to build and strengthen your case
- Consult with respected accident experts and specialists
- Prepare and file a demand letter with the at-fault driver’s insurance company
- Seek damages from all liable parties
- Defend you if others attempt to point fingers and say that you share responsibility
- Enter negotiations armed with facts, evidence, and arguments that are designed to get you top dollar for your bicycle accident claim
- Have an experienced Indiana trial attorney argue your case in court, if necessary
Level the playing field and put yourself in the position to win your bicycle accident case. Contact our Indiana bike accident attorneys today to arrange a time for a free, no-obligation case evaluation.
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How common are bicycle accidents in Indiana?
How can an Indiana personal injury lawyer help me after a bike accident?
What will it cost to hire a bicycle accident attorney in Indiana?
What causes most bicycle accidents in Indiana?
Who’s liable for bicycle accidents in Indiana?
What damages are available to bike accident victims in Indiana?
Is there a deadline to file a bicycle accident lawsuit in Indiana?
Our Offices
Floyd County Office
Downtown New Albany
812-948-6000
810 E. Market St.
New Albany, IN 47150
Clark County Office
Bolt & Tie Building
812-948-6002
1400 Main St. Suite 154
Clarksville, IN 47129
Testimonials
What will it cost to hire a bicycle accident attorney in Indiana?
It costs nothing upfront. At Stein Law Firm, we know that the financial impact of a bicycle accident can be devastating. We don’t want the cost of our legal representation to stand between you and the help you need. That’s why our bicycle accident attorneys in Indiana work on contingency.
Our law firm fronts the costs of litigation. We assume the risks associated with your case. We’re so confident that we can help you that we’ll get paid only if we win. And you won’t pay out of pocket. Instead, our attorney’s fees will be a predetermined percentage that comes right out of your financial award.
There’s no risk in asking for our help, so don’t hesitate to reach out for assistance today.
What causes most bicycle accidents in Indiana?
Many bicycle accidents can be avoided. Typically, bike accidents happen because of human error or negligence.
Some of the leading causes include:
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Distracted driving
- Drunk driving
- Fatigued driving
- Driver unfamiliarity with local traffic laws
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Ignoring traffic safety signals
- Failing to leave an adequate distance between a vehicle and bike while passing
- Dooring
- Failing to maintain lane
- Unsafe lane changes
- Illegal turns
- Obstructing bike lanes
- Road defects
Other factors, including vehicle or safety equipment defects, bad weather conditions, and limited visibility, can also contribute to car-and-bicycle accidents in Indiana.
Ultimately, bicyclists are safest when they have their own dedicated lanes. Inadequate or unsafe bicycle infrastructure can also be a factor in Indiana bike crashes.
What should I do if I am in a bicycle accident with an automobile?
Video Transcript:
“When you’re riding your bicycle, you have the same rights and responsibilities on the road as any driver. Drivers who injure you while you’re on your bicycle can be held liable for that. The first thing you need to do is make sure that you’re treated for any injuries that you have. The next thing you need to do is call us and get us on your case very quickly. At that point, we will investigate the scene, we will talk to any witnesses that are there, we will talk to the investigating officer, we’ll take photographs. We’ll make sure that the driver has insurance available to cover your medical bills, your lost wages, your pain and suffering. It’s really important that you get us on the case as quickly as possible so that we can start locating those things and get you all the money that you’re entitled to.” – Amy Wheatley
Who’s liable for bicycle accidents in Indiana?
Under Indiana law, anyone who contributes to a bicycle accident can be financially responsible for the outcome.
Potentially liable parties might include:
- Negligent motorists
- Other bicyclists
- Pedestrians
- Employers of negligent parties
- Bicycle, vehicle, or safety equipment manufacturers
- Government agencies, or
- Property owners
Our attorneys will carefully assess your bicycle injury case, determine why it happened, and identify who’s at fault. Once we’ve determined liability, we’ll actively pursue damages from anyone who has put you in harm’s way.
Does insurance cover bike accidents?
Yes. Indiana is a fault-based insurance state. After a bicycle accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will be responsible for covering the costs of your medical treatment, loss of income, suffering, and other damages.
Insurance companies won’t be quick to cut you a check and might even try to blame you for getting hurt. That’s why you shouldn’t hesitate to reach out to our personal injury attorneys in Indiana for legal advice. We’ll help you file a claim and fight back if insurers begin to use victim-blaming strategies to deny or limit your payout.
Video Transcript:
“If you are injured while riding a bicycle by a vehicle, then that person’s automobile insurance would cover your injuries. That would cover your payments for your medical bills. It would cover lost wages, and it would cover pain and suffering. It’s important that you have an attorney working for you when you’re injured in a bicycle accident because we can locate the insurance coverage if it’s available, and we’ll make sure that you get every penny that you’re entitled to. Here at our office, we do this routinely, and we will help you every step of the way through this difficult time. So give us a call.” – Amy Wheatley
What happens if I’m blamed for my Indiana bike crash?
You can recover compensation as long as you’re not primarily responsible for the bike accident. Indiana is a modified comparative fault state, and it operates under a 51 percent bar to recovery.
Once liability equals or exceeds 50 percent, you lose the right to recover compensation for your bicycle accident injuries.
You can recover compensation if your liability is less than 51 percent, but your financial award will be reduced.
If you’re assigned 20 percent of the fault for a bicycle accident in Indiana, your damages will be reduced proportionately. So if your bicycle accident case were worth $100,000, you’d be entitled to $80,000 once shared fault was factored in.
What damages are available to bike
accident victims in Indiana?
A bicycle accident can have significant physical, emotional, and financial repercussions. Fortunately, as a victim who shares little-to-no responsibility for the accident, you are entitled to seek compensatory damages.
Compensatory damages fall into two categories: economic and non-economic.
Economic damages cover the identifiable financial costs of your bike accident, including:
- Present and future medical bills
- Rehabilitation and therapy
- Lost wages
- Lost benefits
- Reduced earning capacity
- Property damage
- Nursing assistance
You have to back up a request for economic awards with proof of your loss or anticipated costs. Invoices, receipts, bills, paystubs, and tax returns can all be helpful.
Non-economic damages compensate for the trauma of a bicycle accident that’s tough to value, like:
Valuing non-economic awards can be difficult, and it’s often a source of contention in bike accident cases. Our attorneys will work closely with medical professionals, therapists, vocational rehabilitation specialists, and other experts as we value your case. Their insight will allow us to determine the full impact of your bike accident and the injuries you’ve suffered. With this knowledge, we can be fully prepared to leverage a settlement or verdict that accurately represents what your bicycle accident case is worth.
- Pain and suffering
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Disfigurement
- Scarring
- Embarrassment
- Reduced quality of life
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
Is there a deadline to file a bicycle accident lawsuit in Indiana?
Indiana has a two-year statute of limitations that will apply to most bicycle accident lawsuits. Once the second anniversary of your bike crash arrives, you must have filed a claim if you intend to recover compensation. Once the statute of limitations expires, you give up the right to take legal action.
Catastrophic Injuries to Bikers in Auto
Accidents
Even when wearing a bike helmet, riders can still suffer severe and catastrophic injuries when they are involved in an Indiana car accident.
At Stein Law Firm, we help cyclists who have suffered:
Don’t hesitate to seek medical attention after you’ve been hit by a car while riding your bike in Indiana. Once your condition is stable, reach out to our personal injury law firm serving Southern Indiana, Louisville, Kentucky, and surrounding areas for representation.
Video Transcript:
“If a loved one is killed in a bicycle accident, the next of kin would need to be appointed as a personal representative to bring a wrongful death lawsuit on that person’s behalf. You have to have a lawyer who can open up an estate for the sole purpose of pursuing a wrongful death lawsuit.
The things that are covered in that lawsuit would be medical bills associated with the treatment that your loved one received prior to dying, funeral costs, burial costs, and also the loss in the love and affection that you suffered as a result of the loss of your loved one. It takes an attorney to know how to go about getting a personal representative appointed for the purpose of pursuing this lawsuit. You need an attorney to do that for you. And then knowing where the insurance is, what’s available, what your rights are, and what needs to be done. Here at our office, we do this routinely, and we will help you every step of the way through this difficult time, so give us a call.” – Amy Wheatley
Indiana Bicycle Accidents Lawyers You Can Trust
You don’t have to deal with the aftermath of your Indiana bike accident on your own. Contact Stein Law Firm, and discover how our Indiana bicycle accident lawyers can help you move on with your life and fight to get every cent you deserve.
We offer a free initial case evaluation, and our team is always standing by to provide the guidance and support you need. Give our law office a call or connect with us online to get started today.
