Bike accidents involving motor vehicles can lead to severe injury, leaving injured victims struggling with lost income and high medical bills. An experienced Indianapolis bicycle accident lawyer can help injury victims navigate the complexities of their personal injury case and deal with the insurance company to seek fair compensation.
If you’ve been involved in an accident in Indianapolis, it’s essential to have a skilled attorney on your side to navigate the complexities of your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Poynter & Bucheri understands the unique challenges injured cyclists face and is here to offer support, legal advocacy, and experienced representation.
Bicycle accidents are more than just collisions between bikes and vehicles. They often involve complex questions about liability, evidence gathering, and dealing with insurance companies.
Our team of experienced Indianapolis bicycle accident lawyers is ready to provide personalized attention to your case and guide you every step of the way, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Why Hire a Poynter & Bucheri Bicycle Accident Attorney?
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident, hiring an Indianapolis bicycle accident attorney from Poynter & Bucheri sees that you receive the legal support you need.
Handling a bike accident case on your own can be overwhelming, particularly when you’re dealing with serious injuries and trying to recover.
Our legal team takes the burden off your shoulders by managing every aspect of your insurance claim yourself, from gathering evidence to negotiating with insurance companies and pursuing compensation.
Here’s why our team is the right choice for your case:
Proven track record: We have handled numerous Indianapolis bicycle accident cases with successful outcomes for our clients, helping them secure the compensation they deserve.
Compassionate support: We know that bicycle accidents can be life-changing, and we offer empathetic guidance and support throughout the legal process.
Experienced legal team: Our attorneys understand Indiana traffic laws and how they apply to bicycle riders. We use this knowledge to build strong cases for our clients.
Personalized attention: Poynter & Bucheri treat every client with personalized care and attention. We believe that your case matters, and we’ll work tirelessly to achieve the best possible result.
If you’ve been injured in a bike accident, don’t wait to seek legal representation. Call Poynter & Bucheri at 1-800-265-9881 for a free consultation and let us start working on your behalf.
Compensation You May Receive from Your Bike Accident
When a cyclist is hit by a motor vehicle, the injuries and damages they suffer can be extensive.
If you’ve been involved in a bicycle accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation to cover various expenses and losses related to your injury.
At Poynter & Bucheri, we understand the importance of pursuing full compensation to help you recover from the bike accident.
Common types of compensation in bike accident cases include:
- Medical expenses: Bicycle accidents often result in serious injuries, leading to costly medical bills. We fight to recover compensation for all your medical expenses, including emergency room visits, surgeries, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and any future care you may need.
- Lost income: If you’ve sustained injuries that prevent you from returning to work, you may be entitled to compensation for your lost wages, in cases where the injury results in long-term disability, we also pursue compensation for your future earning capacity.
- Pain and suffering: The physical and emotional trauma caused by a bicycle accident can significantly impact your life. Compensation for pain and suffering helps account for these non-economic damages.
- Property damage: If your bicycle or other personal property was damaged in the accident, we seek compensation to cover the costs of repairs or replacements.
- Disability and disfigurement: If your injuries have left you with permanent disabilities or disfigurements, you deserve compensation for the long-term impact on your life and ability to work.
- Emotional distress: Injuries sustained in bike accidents can result in psychological effects, including anxiety, depression, or PTSD. We help you recover compensation for any emotional distress caused by the accident.
Understanding what compensation you may be eligible for is essential to see that you receive a fair settlement.
Call 1-800-265-9881 today to schedule a consultation and discuss your claim with one of our Indianapolis bicycle accident lawyers.
Determining and Proving Fault for a Bike Crash
Establishing fault in a bicycle accident is one of the most important steps in securing compensation. Indiana gives bicycle riders many of the same rights as car and truck drivers, but proving that the other party was responsible for the accident can be challenging.
Whether the bicycle accident occurred due to a driver’s negligence, poorly maintained roads, or a defective bicycle part, our legal team will work to determine liability and build a strong case for your personal injury claim.
Some key factors we consider when determining fault include:
- Driver negligence: Many bicycle accidents occur because drivers fail to follow traffic laws, ignore bicycle lanes, or engage in distracted driving. We investigate the driver’s behavior, such as whether they ran a stop sign or red light, failed to yield, or were texting while driving.
- Road conditions: Dangerous road conditions, such as potholes, debris, or an inadequate bike lane, can also contribute to bicycle accidents. In such cases, the municipality responsible for road maintenance may be liable.
- Bicycle defects: If a defective part on the bicycle, such as faulty brakes or tires, contributed to the crash, we may pursue a claim against the manufacturer.
- Traffic violations: Examining evidence such as police reports, traffic camera footage, red light cameras, and eyewitness testimony can reveal whether traffic violations occurred, which helps establish the other party’s fault.
Determining liability is crucial in bicycle accident cases, as it directly impacts your ability to fight for compensation from the at-fault party’s auto insurance. Let our experienced attorneys handle the complexities of your case and gather the evidence needed to prove fault.
Contact us at 1-800-265-9881 to learn more about bicycle accident attorneys and how we can help.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents in Indianapolis can occur for a variety of reasons, but they often result from the negligence of motor vehicle drivers.
Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents include:
- Distracted driving: Drivers who are texting, using their phones, or otherwise distracted are less likely to notice cyclists on the road, leading to dangerous collisions.
- Failure to yield: Drivers may not understand that cyclists have the same rights as other vehicles on the road. When drivers fail to yield at intersections or crosswalks, serious accidents can occur.
- Speeding: Excessive speed reduces the driver’s ability to react quickly to avoid a collision with a cyclist.
- Unsafe lane changes: Drivers who fail to check for cyclists in bicycle lanes or make unsafe lane changes often cause accidents.
- Poor road conditions: Cyclists are particularly vulnerable to dangerous road conditions such as potholes, debris, or uneven surfaces. When roads are not properly maintained, accidents are more likely to occur.
- Dooring accidents occur when a vehicle driver or passenger opens a car door into the path of an oncoming cyclist, causing the cyclist to crash.
At Poynter & Bucheri, we understand how devastating a bicycle accident can be, no matter the cause. If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident due to someone else’s negligence, you deserve compensation for your injuries and losses.
Call a Poynter & Bucheri Indianapolis Bicycle Accident Lawyer at 1-800-265-9881 to discuss your personal injury claim.
What Should You Do After Bike Accidents?
If you’ve been involved in a bicycle accident, make sure you take immediate action to protect your health and your legal rights. What you do in the moments and days following a bicycle accident can significantly impact your personal injury claim.
Here are the most important steps you should take after a bicycle accident in Indianapolis:
Seek medical attention: Your health is the most important priority after an accident. Even if your injuries seem minor, get immediate medical attention so a trained professional can ensure you are not injured. Severe injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, may not show symptoms right away.
Call our attorneys: Although you may be tempted to do this later, the sooner you call us, the faster we can preserve evidence. Waiting a few days may be enough to miss out on invaluable evidence like security footage, skid marks, or witness statements.
Document the accident scene: Once you are safe, take photos of the accident scene, including the location, nearby security cameras, your injuries, damage to your bicycle, and any other vehicles involved. This will help when collecting evidence for your case.
File a police report: Make sure the accident is reported to the police, even if the other party tries to discourage you from doing so. A police report will provide an official record of the incident, which is crucial for your claim.
Get contact information: Obtain the contact details of the driver involved and any witnesses to the accident. This information will be important when constructing your personal injury claim.
Avoid admitting fault: Do not discuss the accident or admit fault to anyone, including the driver, their insurance company, or other bike riders. Let your attorney handle all communications.
Taking these steps immediately after a bicycle accident in Indianapolis can help preserve evidence and further strengthen your personal injury insurance claim.
Navigating the legal system can be overwhelming. Our experienced attorneys are here to guide you every step of the way. If you’ve been involved in a bicycle accident, contact Poynter & Bucheri at 1-800-265-9881 to speak with a personal injury attorney and protect your rights.
Bicycle Accident Injuries
Bicycle accidents with motor vehicles can result in a wide range of injuries, many of which are severe or life-threatening. When a person riding a bicycle is struck by motor vehicles, they are more vulnerable to serious injury because they have little protection.
Some of the most common injuries sustained in bicycle accidents include:
Head injuries: Traumatic brain injury and concussions are common in bicycle accidents, even if the cyclist is wearing a helmet. Head injuries can have long-term effects on cognitive function, memory, balance, and quality of life. In severe cases, these injuries may result in permanent disability or require long-term care.
Spinal cord injuries: Injuries to the spinal cord can result in partial or complete paralysis, requiring extensive medical care, rehabilitation, and ongoing therapy. These injuries can significantly impact mobility, independence, and overall quality of life. They may be more severe when in conjunction with a traumatic brain injury, making recovery even more difficult.
Broken bones: Cyclists often suffer fractures to their arms, legs, or ribs when they are hit by a vehicle or thrown from their bikes. These fractures can range from simple breaks to compound fractures that require surgery and lengthy recovery times. In some cases, broken bones may result in permanent damage or limited mobility.
Internal injuries: Even minor damage to internal organs, such as the liver, lungs, or kidneys, can be fatal. Sometimes, they require emergency surgery. Internal bleeding and organ damage are particularly dangerous because they may not be immediately apparent after the accident, making it crucial to seek medical evaluation even if injuries seem minor at first.
Lacerations and road rash: Severe cuts and abrasions from contact with the road or pavement can lead to scarring, infection, and long-term skin damage. These injuries may require skin grafts or other medical treatments to heal properly, and the resulting scars can be permanent.
Facial and dental injuries: Bicycle accidents can cause serious trauma to the face, including broken teeth, jaw fractures, and other dental injuries. Facial injuries may require reconstructive surgery and can have a lasting impact on a victim’s appearance and self-confidence.
Soft tissue injuries: Sprains, strains, and muscle tears are common in bike accidents, especially in the neck, back, and shoulders. These injuries may cause chronic pain and stiffness, limiting a victim’s ability to return to normal activities or work.
These injuries from bike accidents can result in long-term physical, emotional, financial challenges, and even traffic fatalities. Victims may face extensive medical bills, lost wages, and ongoing pain and suffering as they try to recover.
If you’ve been involved in a bicycle accident, contact Poynter & Bucheri at 1-800-265-9881 to speak with a personal injury attorney and protect your rights.
How Indiana Law Protects Bicycle Riders
In Indiana, cyclists are considered to have all the same rights and responsibilities as vehicle drivers under Indiana law. This means that cyclists must follow the same traffic laws as other motor vehicle drivers, such as stopping at stop signs and red lights, using hand signals when turning, and riding in the same direction as traffic.
However, automobile drivers also must share the road with cyclists, exercise caution around them, and make sure their vehicle pulls far enough away not to hit the bike.
Some key protections under the Indiana code include:
Right to the road: Bicyclists have the right to ride on most roads in Indiana, except where prohibited by signs (such as interstates).
Bike lanes: When bicycle lanes are present, cyclists should use them, but if they are not available, cyclists can use the roadway.
Passing distance: Indiana requires auto drivers to maintain a safe distance when passing a bicycle, typically three feet or more.
If a bike rider or driver fails to respect these rights and causes a bicycle accident, they may be liable for any injuries. If you’ve been injured in a bike accident, contact Poynter & Bucheri at 1-800-265-9881 to ensure your rights are protected.
Contact Poynter & Bucheri Law – Indianapolis Bicycle Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been injured, you need experienced Indianapolis bicycle accident attorneys who will fight for your rights and pursue the compensation you deserve.
With the legal knowledge of our bicycle accident attorneys, you can build a strong case to prove liability, especially when bicycle accident statistics show the risks that bike riders face due to distracted driving and the lack of a driver’s attention.
At Poynter & Bucheri, our Indianapolis bicycle accident lawyers are committed to providing compassionate, knowledgeable representation and will work tirelessly to help bike riders recover from more serious injuries.
With a proven track record of success, we are ready to take on your case and help you secure the compensation you need for your recovery.
Injured in an accident? Our personal injury lawyers will fight for the compensation you deserve so you can focus on your recovery. Contact a Poynter & Bucheri Indianapolis Bicycle Accident Lawyer today at 1-800-265-9881 for a free consultation and let us help you get the justice you deserve.