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Cape Girardeau Bicycle Accident Lawyer
At NST Law, we are dedicated to helping injured individuals and their families get the justice and compensation they deserve.
Expertise
Mr. Trotz has handled injury cases involving auto accidents, slip and fall, premises liability, and negligent security. Every day, Mr. Trotz represents those who have been injured and many of his clients have sustained traumatic and life-altering injuries.
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Cycling is becoming an increasingly popular way to get around in Cape Girardeau. But while bicyclists often share the road with motorized vehicles, they don’t have the same protections as the occupants of cars, SUVs, and trucks. This makes them particularly vulnerable to severe injuries in an accident.
Bicycle accidents are commonly caused by the negligence of drivers who fail to observe cyclists and pedestrians sharing the road. At NST Law, our lawyers understand the impact a crash involving a bicycle can have on your life and livelihood. We’re committed to pursuing justice for each of our clients and obtaining the maximum compensation they deserve for their injuries.
Call 800-529-4004 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with a knowledgeable Cape Girardeau bicycle accident lawyer today.
- Understanding Your Rights After a Bicycle Accident in Missouri
- Why You Need a Cape Girardeau Bicycle Accident Lawyer
- Why Choose NST Lawyers for Your Bicycle Accident Claim in Cape Girardeau
- Compensation in a Cape Girardeau Bicycle Accident
- Steps To Take After a Bicycle Accident
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Understanding Your Rights After a Bicycle Accident in Missouri
Bicyclists have the same responsibilities as drivers of motor vehicles on the road. They must obey the applicable traffic laws, maintain a safe distance from other vehicles, and be aware of their surroundings. But no matter how many safety precautions a cyclist may take, accidents can still happen due to the carelessness of a motorist.
If you were injured while biking in Missouri, you may be entitled to hold the at-fault party responsible for your damages by filing a personal injury lawsuit. To prevail in a claim, you must demonstrate that the party was negligent. Specifically, you must show that the at-fault party’s failure to exercise reasonable care caused your injuries.
Even if you were partly at fault for the bicycle accident, you may still be eligible to recover your damages. Under Missouri’s pure comparative fault rule, a victim can recover compensation even if they were 99 percent to blame. Any compensation awarded would be reduced by your percentage of fault for the accident.
Be sure to report the accident to the police and seek legal counsel as soon as possible to safeguard your right to file a Missouri bike accident lawsuit.
Why You Need a Cape Girardeau Bicycle Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been hurt in an accident, an experienced Cape Girardeau injury lawyer can assist with the following:
- Investigating the accident: We will help you gather the necessary evidence, including police reports, witness statements, photos, and traffic camera footage.
- Determining liability: Our lawyers will identify all potentially responsible parties in your case, which may be a driver, vehicle owner, employer, or municipality responsible for road conditions.
- Dealing with the insurance companies: We will handle all communications with the insurance companies, protect you from their unfair tactics, and counter any lowball settlement offers.
- Calculating damages: We can assess the full extent of your losses, including your medical bills, future medical needs, lost wages, pain and suffering, and property damage.
- Negotiating a settlement: Our lawyers will work diligently to achieve a fair resolution outside the courtroom.
- Litigation: We will represent your interests in court if the other side does not agree to a fair settlement.
The aftermath of a bicycle accident can be emotionally overwhelming and legally complex. Also, it’s important to note that you only have a limited amount of time to file a claim. Our attorneys will help you navigate the process of filing a lawsuit and ensure the statute of limitations requirements are met.
Why Choose NST Lawyers for Your Bicycle Accident Claim in Cape Girardeau
At NST Law, we provide personalized attention, communication at every step, and responsiveness in every case. Our Cape Girardeau bicycle accident lawyers possess:
- Local knowledge of the Cape Girardeau roads, traffic patterns, and common accident locations
- Familiarity with local law enforcement, courts, and medical providers
- A solid track record of helping injured cyclists secure their rightful compensation
- Extensive experience handling bicycle accident cases and personal injury law in Missouri
- Deep insight regarding local Cape Girardeau courts and procedures
With our contingency fee structure, you don’t pay any fees unless we win your case.
Here’s what some of our clients have said about our representation:
Compensation in a Cape Girardeau Bicycle Accident
A bicycle accident victim may be entitled to a broad scope of economic and non-economic damages. While economic damages cover your financial losses, non-economic damages are meant to compensate for the impact of your injuries on your life and livelihood.
Monetary recovery in a Missouri bike accident lawsuit can include compensation for:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Property damage
If the bicycle accident resulted in a fatality, the victim’s family may recover damages in a wrongful death claim.
Punitive damages may also be available in limited cases where a defendant’s conduct was particularly egregious. Unlike compensatory damages, these damages do not compensate a victim for their losses. Rather, they punish the defendant for their wrongdoing and deter similar conduct in the future.
Steps To Take After a Bicycle Accident
After being injured while biking in Missouri, take these steps to protect your legal rights:
- Seek immediate medical attention: This is important not only for your health but also to help build any injury claim you might file.
- Report the accident to law enforcement: The police report can be crucial documentation in your case.
- Gather information at the scene: If you can, collect any evidence from the accident scene, including the driver’s contact and insurance information, any witness information, and photos.
- Preserve evidence: Save the broken bicycle and any clothing or other property damaged in the accident.
- Don’t speak with the insurance company: After the accident, the at-fault party’s insurance company will likely try to contact you. Do not give a recorded statement or accept any settlement offers without consulting with legal counsel.
Contact a Cape Girardeau bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible after the accident. They can best advise you regarding the steps to take in your case.
NST Law has recovered more than $2 billion for our clients over the last 35 years. We’re prepared to vigorously negotiate with the insurance companies to obtain your rightful compensation or bring your case to trial if necessary.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What if I Wasn’t Wearing a Helmet?
While wearing a helmet is recommended for safety, there is no statewide helmet requirement. You can still recover compensation for bicycle accident injuries if you were not wearing a helmet under Missouri’s comparative negligence law.
How Long Do I Have to File a Claim in Missouri?
In Missouri, the statute of limitations to bring a personal injury claim is five years from the date of the accident.
Who Is Responsible for My Injuries After a Bicycle Accident?
Liability for your injuries will depend on the specific facts of your case. Potentially liable parties can include an at-fault driver or others on the road, the bicycle manufacturer, or a municipality for failure to properly maintain the roads.
Can I Still Recover Damages if I Was Partially at Fault?
Yes, you can still recover damages as long as you were not entirely at fault for the accident. Any compensation awarded would be reduced by your percentage of fault.
Will the Driver’s Insurance Cover My Injuries?
An at-fault driver’s liability insurance is responsible for compensating you for your accident-related injuries. If the insurance company refuses to settle your case for a fair amount, our Cape Girardeau bicycle accident lawyer team can fight for your rightful monetary compensation in the courtroom.
Contact us for a free consultation now so that we can review your case and decide how we can best help you.