Many residents of Lexington, Kentucky, ride bicycles to school or work and for recreation to enjoy the beauty of the Bluegrass State. Cyclists have many of the same rights and responsibilities as motorists. But regrettably, many motorists do not stay alert for bicycle riders on the roads and don’t yield when cyclists have the right of way. This inevitably leads to preventable accidents and painful injuries.
Serious injuries in a bicycle accident can lead to unexpected medical costs and financial stress. If you have been injured in a Lexington bicycle accident caused by someone else, the compassionate bicycle accident attorneys of Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer can help you pursue the compensation you need. We are committed to protecting the rights of injury victims and providing them with the personalized legal service they deserve.
Our bicycle accident attorneys have the Kentucky Courage to stand up to insurance companies and demand justice for injured cyclists. Contact our law firm today to learn about your legal options in a free consultation.
Why Choose Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer for Your Lexington Bicycle Accident Claim?
If you have been hurt in a bicycle accident that someone else caused, you have the right to seek compensation for your medical expenses and other losses. Many bicycle crash victims struggle to secure the insurance money needed to cover the many unforeseen expenses of a serious accident.
At Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer, we advocate for the rights of injured Kentuckians. Our bike crash lawyers are prepared to stand up to big insurance companies and hold at-fault parties accountable.
We will work to help you pursue just compensation. We will:
- Investigate who caused the accident
- Identify all insurance policies available to provide compensation
- Help you find medical care as needed
- Document the full range of your losses
- Negotiate with insurance companies for a fair settlement
- Be ready to take your case to court if insurance companies won’t agree to a fair settlement
Let us handle your bicycle accident case so you can focus on healing.
Common Bike Accident Injuries
Most cyclists wear helmets and obey traffic rules when riding on Lexington roads. Even so, they are highly vulnerable to severe injuries in collisions with cars and trucks. Bicycles lack seat belts, airbags, and enclosed passenger compartments that protect automobile occupants in a crash. Bicycle riders often suffer fall injuries such as:
- Head and neck injuries
- Facial and dental injuries
- Back and shoulder injuries
- Abdominal and internal injuries
- Arm, elbow, wrist, and hand injuries
- Broken bones
- Bruises, lacerations, and puncture wounds
- Soft tissue strains, sprains, and tears
- Leg, knee, ankle, and foot injuries
- Road rash
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Loss of limb
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs)
- Partial or total paralysis
- Fatal injuries
Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents can occur for various reasons. Driver error is one of the top contributing factors in bike wrecks. Motorists who fail to drive responsibly and yield when cyclists have the right of way can cause bicycle accidents involving:
- Distracted driving – When drivers are focused on texting, talking on the phone, or other distracting activities behind the wheel, they are more likely to overlook cyclists on the road.
- Impaired driving – Drivers who are drunk or high behind the wheel have impaired recognition of roadway hazards and slowed reflexes to avoid bicycle accidents.
- Driver fatigue – Extreme fatigue can be just as dangerous as driving under the influence, and drowsy drivers are more likely to drift into bicycle lanes.
- Reckless driving – Reckless driving behaviors such as speeding and following too closely leave drivers with little room for error, increasing the risk of bike crashes.
- Driver error – When drivers are inexperienced, or inattentive, they are more likely to commit driving errors that contribute to serious bicycle accidents.
How Much Is a Bicycle Accident Claim Worth?
When you file an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit seeking compensation for a bicycle accident, you may seek compensation for:
- Hospital bills and medical costs you incur in treating your crash-related injuries
- The value of any lost income from the time you missed at work after the crash
- Projected losses in your future earning capacity, if you have permanent disabilities from the bicycle accident
- Subjective losses, such as crash-related pain, suffering, and lost quality of life
- Out-of-pocket expenses, such as travel costs for medical appointments
- The costs of repairing or replacing your bicycle
Proving Fault for Bicycle Accidents in Lexington
Kentucky follows a “choice no-fault” system for car accident insurance coverage. Your options for seeking compensation can vary depending on the insurance coverage of the motorist that injured you.
All automobile insurance policies sold in Kentucky are required to include Personal Injury Protection (PIP) coverage unless the automobile owner rejects the coverage. PIP is a type of no-fault insurance that covers medical expenses regardless of fault. If a driver with PIP insurance collides with a bicyclist, the driver’s PIP insurance covers the costs of the injured cyclist’s medical bills. The bicyclist does not have to prove that the driver was at fault to claim benefits through their no-fault PIP policy.
Drivers in Kentucky may opt out of the no-fault system, which means they are not required to carry PIP coverage. If the driver who hit you does not have PIP insurance, or if you suffer more than $1,000 in medical expenses or meet certain other thresholds, you may have grounds to sue the at-fault driver for compensation for your medical bills and other losses.
The common types of evidence used to prove fault in a bicycle accident case include:
- Police accident reports
- Medical records
- Photos of the crash scene and visible injuries
- Video footage from surveillance cameras or dashcams
- Statements from witnesses who saw the crash
- Testimony from accident reconstruction experts
What You Need To Do After a Bicycle Accident in Lexington, KY
You can take the following steps to protect your legal rights after a bicycle accident in Lexington:
- Seek medical attention as soon as possible
- Follow your doctor’s care plan
- Gather evidence from the scene
- Keep track of all crash-related documentation
- Watch what you say to others or post online about the accident
- Contact a knowledgeable bicycle accident lawyer
Contact a Lexington Bicycle Accident Attorney Now
At Morgan, Collins, Yeast & Salyer, our Lexington bicycle accident lawyers have decades of experience standing up for injured bike crash victims. Our attorneys have secured more than $300 million for injured people in Kentucky. We are ready put our experience to work demanding justice for you. Contact us today for a free consultation to learn about your legal options after a bicycle accident.
