Indianapolis Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Indianapolis is an ideal city for bicycle enthusiasts. It is flat with well-maintained roads and has many parks with bike trails. When you and your family want to enjoy a day outside, cycling around the city is a great way to combine exercise and pleasure.

Unfortunately, nothing ruins the joy of a good bike ride more than a bicycle accident. A single moment can turn your life upside down. Suddenly, you are seriously injured and facing an uncertain future of rising medical bills and seemingly unending stress. Where can you find the help you need after such a life-changing event? Look no further than the Indianapolis bicycle accident lawyers at Stephenson Rife.

If you are one of the over one thousand people injured in Indiana bike accidents yearly, you deserve compensation for your injuries. Call the Indianapolis bicycle accident attorneys at Stephenson Rife at (317) 680-2501 to schedule a free consultation today.

Bicycle Accidents in Indiana

Indiana is home to over 3,000 miles of public-use trails and bikeways. And while these are great places to bike around the state, unfortunately, a study by Indiana University shows that most bike accidents with cars happen near proposed and existing bike paths. This doesn’t mean using bicycle trails in Indiana is unsafe. It just means you should take care when riding near cars, even if you are using byways designed for biking.

The consequences of not being careful are severe. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, 22% to 47% of injured bicyclists suffer head injuries due to collisions. And over 60% of bike injury deaths and long-term disabilities are due to accidents with motor vehicles. Even if you wear all appropriate safety gear, bike collisions with automobiles are among the greatest dangers to bike riders.

Why Choose Indianapolis Bicycle Accident Lawyers from Stephenson Rife?

At Stephenson Rife, we take cases that other law firms won’t. When a competitive bicyclist hit a hole while riding across a steel-grated bridge in Shelby County, other Indiana law firms refused to take his case. They believed that he was responsible enough for his severe injuries that they wouldn’t be able to get money for him. When he came to Stephenson Rife, our Indianapolis bicycle accident attorneys didn’t turn him away. Instead, we investigated his case to determine the true cause of his pain and suffering.

What we discovered was that Shelby County was aware of the flaws with the bridge and had twice previously hired inspectors to determine the correct course of action. Both inspections determined that the bridge needed to be replaced within a year or two. Despite this, the county ignored the problem for years, allowing it to grow worse. Furthermore, despite being aware of the danger presented by the bridge, the county didn’t post any warning signs for people using the bridge. This information allowed us to negotiate $335,500 for our client. That is money other Indiana law firms left on the table.

Our law firm is the right choice for people injured in Indiana bike accidents because we are always willing to take the hard cases and do the work required to get our clients paid. While it is true that not every case is viable, we never surrender after a cursory examination of the facts. We dig deep and fight as fiercely as possible in every case. If you want the best chance for maximum compensation in your Indiana bike accident case, trust the lawyers at Stephenson Rife.

What Causes Bicycle Accident Injuries?

Knowing The Dangers Can Keep You Safe

Riding a bike is a relatively safe way to travel. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t without dangers. There are several common ways bicyclists get injured. The worst injuries are almost all associated with cars. While, in theory, cars and bikes are supposed to share the road as equals, in practice, that rarely happens. All too often, car drivers don’t respect the rights of bike riders, resulting in serious injuries.

One common danger occurs when a bicycle rider is riding in the middle of a lane or hugging the side of the road. In this situation, if the driver of a car passes the bicycle, they are required to give the bike more than enough space to avoid a collision. Unfortunately, some drivers will only barely give the bicycle room or may even try to force the bike to the side of the road. This can result in the bicycle getting clipped or forced onto unsafe ground.

A similar problem often arises at intersections. When bicycles are at intersections, they have the same rights as other motor vehicles in terms of the right-of-way. However, some drivers either don’t realize this or don’t respect it and don’t give right-of-way, causing an accident.

The other major danger from cars is the fact that bicycles are much less visible than cars. They are smaller, quiet, and rarely have lights. This means that a careless or distracted driver can easily miss noticing a bike. Is this the fault of the driver? Probably, but if you are injured in an accident with a car, knowing the driver is at fault will do little to ease your suffering. Though, it will help us get you the money you deserve for your injuries.

Besides cars, some other causes of bicycle accidents are:

• Damaged roads or pathways
• Defective bike parts
• Defective protective gear
• Unsafe road conditions.

Injuries from these causes can be just as serious or more serious than injuries from a car accident. If you have been severely injured in a bike accident, contact Indianapolis bicycle accident lawyers as soon as possible.

Have you suffered a serious injury from a bike accident in Indianapolis? Do you believe another party might be responsible for that injury? Call Stephenson Rife at (317) 680-2501 as soon as possible to schedule a free consultation with an experienced bike accident lawyer.

What Indianapolis Bicycle Injury Lawyers Can Do for You

Get Higher Compensation with The Help of An Attorney

When you retain a bicycle accident lawyer in Indianapolis, they will first investigate your case to determine approximately how much it is worth and who is responsible for your injuries. This investigation is critical to getting you the maximum possible compensation. The insurance company that should pay you compensation is also investigating, trying to find evidence that makes the case your fault. The more evidence your lawyer uncovers to support your case, the harder it will be for the insurance company to deny your claim.

This evidence also proves the value of your case. Every medical record and expense receipt demonstrates the costs incurred by your injuries. Once your attorney has enough evidence, they will present it to the insurance company, along with a demand for a fair amount of compensation. If your lawyer is doing their job correctly, the insurer won’t be able to deny or undervalue your claim.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are you wondering about your rights after suffering an injury in a bike accident? Our attorneys answer all your most pressing questions.

What Types of Injuries Are Most Common in a Bike Accident?

The most common injuries in a bike accident are:

• Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries
• Facial lacerations and scarring
• Jaw and teeth damage
• Abdominal organ damage
• Fractured bones
• Abrasions and road rash
• Death.

Stephenson Rife always fights to get you enough money to pay for treatment for all your injuries.

What Should I Do If I Am in a Bike Accident?

After getting medical attention, contact an Indianapolis bike accident lawyer as soon as possible. The sooner you contact a lawyer, the quicker they can start trying to get you the money you need to recover.

Can Stephenson Rife Help Me After a Hit-and-Run Accident?

If you are in a hit-and-run accident, our investigators will try to uncover evidence identifying the driver of the vehicle that hit you. Between street cameras, GPS, and other technology, we are often successful at finding hit-and-run drivers and making them pay.

Will My Case Go to Trial?

Typically, bike accident cases end with a settlement. Trials are very expensive for defendants, and most will settle rather than endure those costs.

How Long Will It Take for Me to Get Paid?

That depends on how complicated your case is. However, most cases that end in a settlement will finish within a few months. You should get paid shortly after a settlement is negotiated.

If you still have questions, just ask our attorneys during your free consultation. We are happy to tell you anything you want to know.

Contact An Experienced Bike Accident Attorney in Indianapolis Today

If you have been seriously hurt in a bicycle accident, you deserve to be represented by lawyers who enjoy difficult cases and have a long record of success getting money for clients. Stephenson Rife is a law firm that will always give your case a fair shake.

After you or a loved one is seriously injured in a bicycle accident in Indiana, you can’t afford to trust your case to just any law firm. Call Stephenson Rife today at (317) 680-2501 to learn more about your rights from a lawyer who cares.