Toledo Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Cycling is a fun and healthy way to get some exercise and spend time in the great outdoors. It also provides affordable means to get around town and is strongly encouraged by our state government. However, when you are sharing the road with cars, commercial trucks, and motorcycles, you, unfortunately, place yourself at risk of serious injury.
If you were injured while on your bike, we highly recommend reaching out to our bicycle accident lawyers in Toledo. A bicycle accident case is not like other personal injury cases. Insurance companies, the public, and the legal system can be unforgiving and even biased against bicyclists.
As an injured cyclist, you need a firm that understands how to fully investigate the circumstances of your accident to identify what really happened and who is at fault. We will help you navigate the medical treatment and billing processes and support and encourage your recovery. Our bicycle accident attorneys powerfully negotiate with the insurance companies and will protect you from their many attempts to pay out less than what you deserve. And we will ultimately take the matter to court, if necessary, to secure maximum recovery.
We proudly stand up for the rights of bicyclists and fight relentlessly for justice on their behalf. Contact Slater & Zurz to learn more about the bicycle accident injury claims process and how we can help. In Ohio, you only have two years to initiate an injury claim, so we urge you to act now.
Common Causes of Bike Accidents
Bicycle accidents most commonly take place when a cyclist comes in contact with a motor vehicle. Below are some of the key bike crash causes that can result in a bicycle accident injury lawsuit.
- A vehicle turning in front of a bicycle
- A motorist making a left turn as a bike approaches coming from the opposite direction
- A vehicle pulling out of a side street, parking lot, or driveway
- A car or truck overtaking a cyclist but then turning in front of them
- A car or truck rear-ending a bicycle
- A motorist following too closely and is unable to stop in time
- This is common when a cyclist must veer out to avoid a parked car or other hazards
- A motor vehicle drifting to the right and hitting a cyclist
- Motorists may not look for a cyclist in the bike lane and move over when attempting to make a right turn
- A person in a parked car opening up their door into the path of a bicyclist.
- These accidents can cause a cyclist to crash into the door or swerve into traffic in an effort to avoid the door.
- Bicycle crashes caused by dangerous road conditions
- Potholes, uneven pavement, poor lighting, no guardrails, and inadequate signage can cause a cyclist to crash.
- Bike accidents caused by defective bicycles or bicycle parts
- These accidents result from poorly designed, manufactured, or maintained bicycle components
Bicyclists must observe the rules of the road and exercise extreme caution when riding to avoid an accident. However, motorists also have a responsibility to operate their cars and trucks in a manner to prevent harm or injury to themselves as well as cyclists on the road.
Injuries in a Toledo Bicycle Accident Case
Bicyclists are much more susceptible to serious injury and death than motorists. Although cyclists usually wear protective gear, such as a helmet, virtually no protection is provided by the bike itself. Cyclists often sustain serious, sometimes fatal injuries when they hit stationary objects or are thrown from their bikes and hit the pavement with great force. Our bicycle accident attorneys have helped injured victims recover damages for a wide variety of cycling accident injuries. However, below are some of the more common injuries related to bicycle accident injury cases.
- Cuts and scrapes (road rash)
- Bruising
- Face and eye injuries
- Permanent scarring and disfigurement
- Joint dislocations
- Lost or broken teeth
- Fractured or broken bones
- Neck injuries
- Back and spinal cord injuries
- Skull fractures
- Muscle, tendon, and ligament damage
- Loss of limb
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Lung injuries
- Paralysis
- Wrongful death
Recovering Damages in a Bicycle Accident Injury Lawsuit
A cycling accident can leave you physically and emotionally devastated. And as time goes on, you will likely experience overwhelming financial strain. You might be unable to work during your lengthy recovery and struggling to make even a small dent in your medical bills. But if another party caused your bike crash, you have the right to seek financial compensation for your losses. Damages that may be available to you include:
- Medical expenses (past and future)
- Rehabilitation therapy
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Property damage
- Modifications to your home and vehicle
- Costs for ongoing assistive care
- Pain and suffering
- Disfigurement
- Disability
- Loss of enjoyment
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death damages
What to Do After a Bike Crash
After a biking accident, your top priority is to get to safety and seek medical attention. But there are also steps you should take to protect your rights should you choose to seek compensation from the party responsible for the crash. Be sure to take the following steps to protect your health and maximize your success in a Toledo bicycle accident lawsuit.
- Get to safety – If you are able to move without causing further injury, get yourself off the road and out of the path of oncoming traffic.
- Call the police – A police officer will secure the scene and document what happened. You can later request a copy of their report as it will contain vital information, such as the contact information of all parties involved, a diagram of the accident scene, weather conditions at the time of the accident, and a list of any citations given, and the officer’s findings as to what happened and who was at fault.
- Get medical attention – Be sure to see a doctor as soon as possible and never refuse treatment at the scene. It is not uncommon for injured victims to initially feel fine due to the shock and rush of adrenaline they experience immediately after the accident. Make sure you are thoroughly assessed by a medical professional to promptly identify and treat all of your injuries. This will give you the best chance of a full recovery. Also, be sure to follow through with all of your doctor’s orders.
- Document the accident scene – Take pictures and video of where the accident happened. If possible, take them before your bike or any vehicles are moved and include pictures of any skid marks or debris left at the scene. Write down what happened right away, so you don’t forget any vital information. Look for eyewitnesses and obtain their contact information and a brief statement of what they witnessed.
- Preserve evidence – This includes keeping all of your medical records and bills and any additional documentation relating to your case.
- Contact a Toledo bicycle accident injury attorney – Be sure to speak with an attorney who has extensive experience handling these unique and often complex cases. A skilled attorney will take the necessary steps to maximize your chances of full and fair recovery.
Toledo, Ohio Bicycle Accident Attorneys
If you sustained injuries in a bicycle accident, you need an attorney who will help you navigate the complex laws surrounding a bicycle accident injury case. Even if your case seems clear-cut, it is still in your best interests to seek legal representation from a highly qualified lawyer.
Slater & Zurz has been servicing Ohio residents for over four decades. Our legal team has amassed a remarkable record of success and collected hundreds of millions in settlements and verdicts on our clients’ behalves. We help injured victims secure a maximum recovery on a “No recovery, no fee” basis, meaning our clients do not pay any out-of-pocket fees and will owe us nothing if we do not recover damages on their behalf.
If you are in need of a Toledo personal injury lawyer, call (419) 658-7171 for immediate help. Or you may contact us online. We offer a FREE, no-obligation consultation, so call now.