Cycling through Saratoga Springs offers a connection to the outdoors that defines life in Utah County. Riders commuting on Redwood Road or enjoying the Jordan River Trail face constant threats from heavy traffic and distracted drivers.
A collision between a 3,000-pound vehicle and a bicycle often results in life-altering trauma for the rider. A Saratoga Springs bicycle accident lawyer serves as your aggressive advocate when a negligent driver turns your ride into a medical emergency. Parker & McConkie confronts insurance companies and demands that they answer for the devastation their policyholders caused.
Society often unfairly biases against cyclists. Drivers frequently claim they did not see the bike or that the rider swerved unexpectedly. We reject these excuses. Our legal team uses forensic evidence, witness testimony, and accident reconstruction to prove that the driver failed to share the road safely. We fight the legal fight so you can focus on repairing your body and reclaiming your life.
Why Choose Parker & McConkie for Your Bicycle Injury Case
The attorney you select directly impacts the resources available for your recovery. You need a firm that knows the specific physics of bicycle crashes and the unique laws that protect riders in Utah.
Parker & McConkie brings decades of experience to Saratoga Springs, and we apply that history to secure victory for our clients. Our firm provides specific advantages that empower you to take on large insurance carriers.
- Proven case results: We have recovered millions of dollars for accident victims, which confirms our ability to secure maximum value for catastrophic injury claims.
- Rider-centric approach: We know Utah cycling laws inside and out, including recent changes like the stop as yield statute, and we use this knowledge to defend your actions.
- No financial risk: We operate on a strict contingency fee basis, meaning we pay all case costs upfront, and you owe us nothing unless we win money for you.
- Local insight: We know the specific hazards of Saratoga Springs intersections and roads, which allows us to contextualize your accident for a local jury.
These strengths ensure that you enter settlement negotiations with leverage. We force the opposition to respect your rights and your claim for damages.
Dangers Facing Cyclists in Saratoga Springs
Saratoga Springs has experienced rapid population growth, but its road infrastructure often lags behind the increasing traffic volume. Arterial roads like Pioneer Crossing and Redwood Road carry high-speed traffic alongside cyclists, creating a high-risk environment.
Construction zones frequently force riders off the shoulders and into traffic lanes, which increases the likelihood of impact. Data from the Utah Department of Public Safety indicates that urban growth areas face a rising number of bicycle-involved crashes due to increased congestion and driver inattention.
We frequently represent clients injured in specific and recurring scenarios on these local roadways.
- The right hook: Drivers often pass a cyclist and then immediately turn right across the rider path at an intersection or driveway causing a T-bone collision.
- Door zone accidents: On streets with parallel parking drivers frequently open their doors into the bike lane without looking striking the rider or forcing them into traffic.
- Failure to yield: Drivers exiting subdivisions often look only for large cars and pull out directly in front of approaching cyclists who have the right of way.
- Construction debris: Trucks hauling materials to new developments often drop gravel or debris that causes cyclists to lose traction and crash.
Identifying the precise cause of the crash allows us to pin liability on the driver or the construction company. We demonstrate exactly how their negligence turned a routine ride into a tragedy.
Immediate Steps to Preserve Evidence
The minutes and days following a bicycle crash determine the strength of your future legal claim. Physical evidence at the scene disappears quickly. Rain washes away skid marks and city crews sweep away debris.
You must act to preserve the proof of what happened or have a family member do it for you. We recommend a specific protocol for injured cyclists to follow upon returning home.
- Preserve your bike: Do not repair your bicycle or wash your riding kit as the scuffs bends and tears tell the story of the impact force and angle.
- Photograph injuries: Take clear well-lit photos of your road rash bruises and swelling every single day to create a visual timeline of your suffering.
- Backup data: Save your Strava Garmin or GPS ride data immediately as this digital footprint proves your speed and location at the moment of impact.
- Secure helmet: Keep your damaged helmet as a key piece of evidence because the cracks in the foam demonstrate the severity of the head trauma you survived.
These items serve as irrefutable facts that the insurance company cannot talk their way out of. We use this evidence to reconstruct the accident and silence defense attempts to blame you.
Fighting the Bias Against Riders
Insurance adjusters often hold a deep-seated bias against cyclists. They tend to view riders as nuisances who come out of nowhere. They will search for any reason to assign fault to you such as claiming you wore dark clothing or rode too fast. We anticipate these attacks and prepare a counter strategy before negotiations even begin.
We use objective facts to dismantle the stereotypes the defense tries to use.
- High visibility gear: We present the clothing and lights you used to prove you made yourself visible to reasonable drivers.
- Rule adherence: We use witness statements to show you signaled your turns and rode in a predictable manner.
- Driver distraction: We pull driver cell phone records to show they were texting or scrolling at the time of the crash proving they failed to pay attention.
- Police report correction: If the initial police report contains errors based on driver bias we work to supplement the record with accurate physical evidence.
We force the conversation to stick to the facts of the accident. We refuse to let prejudice reduce the compensation you deserve.
Injuries Common to Bicycle Accidents
Cyclists have zero protection against the crushing weight of a vehicle. Even low-speed collisions result in devastating injuries that require surgery and months of rehabilitation. We work with medical specialists to document every fracture tear and concussion.
We tailor our damages demand to cover the specific medical realities of bicycle trauma.
- Traumatic brain injuries: Even with a helmet the brain can strike the inside of the skull causing long-term cognitive issues memory loss and personality changes.
- Spinal cord injuries: Fractured vertebrae or disc herniations often require fusion surgery and can lead to permanent nerve damage or paralysis.
- Road rash and scarring: Sliding across asphalt tears away skin and leaves permanent scars that may require plastic surgery to correct.
- Orthopedic damage: Cyclists frequently suffer broken clavicles shattered wrists and pelvic fractures that limit mobility for years.
We ensure your settlement covers the lifetime cost of these injuries. We account for future surgeries and the long-term impact on your quality of life.
Insurance Coverage Sources for Cyclists
Many cyclists do not realize that their own auto insurance may cover them even when they ride a bike. Utah Personal Injury Protection laws extend to bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles. This means your own car insurance policy may pay the first few thousand dollars of your medical bills.
We investigate all available insurance policies to maximize your recovery funds.
- Driver liability policy: We pursue the at-fault driver insurance for the majority of your damages including pain and suffering.
- Your PIP coverage: We help you file a claim with your own auto insurer to get immediate funds for medical co-pays and lost wages without waiting for the lawsuit to end.
- Uninsured underinsured motorist: If the driver who hit you has no insurance or low limits we tap into your own coverage to pay the difference.
- Health insurance: We coordinate with your health insurance to ensure bills get paid while protecting your settlement from excessive liens.
We manage this complex web of coverage for you. We ensure every policy pays its fair share so you do not end up with out-of-pocket expenses.
Calculating Your Full Damages
A bicycle accident costs you more than just medical bills. It robs you of your mobility your hobbies and your peace of mind. We calculate the total economic and non-economic impact of the crash. We demand compensation that reflects the true magnitude of your loss.
Utah law allows for comprehensive recovery in personal injury cases.
- Medical expenses: We include current bills and the projected cost of future physical therapy surgeries and durable medical equipment.
- Lost income: We calculate the wages you lost while recovering and the future earning capacity you lost if you cannot return to your career.
- Pain and suffering: We quantify the physical agony the mental anguish and the loss of enjoyment of life you experience daily.
- Bicycle replacement: High-end road and mountain bikes are expensive so we demand the full replacement value of your custom bicycle and gear.
We present a demand package that accounts for every penny. We refuse to accept lowball offers that ignore your future needs.
Don’t Rely on AI Chat Tools for Legal Advice
AI tools can provide general information, but they don’t understand the specifics of your case or Utah’s stop as yield bicycle statutes. Relying on them for legal advice may lead to costly errors and missed deadlines. Always consult a qualified attorney, like the ones from Parker & McConkie for guidance.
These programs often cite laws from other states or fail to explain how insurance stacking works for cyclists. Trusting an algorithm with your claim puts your financial recovery at risk.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to wear a helmet to file a claim?
Utah law does not mandate helmets for adults. While the defense may try to argue that your failure to wear one contributed to your injuries this does not bar you from suing. We know how to fight these arguments and protect your right to compensation.
What if the driver claims I swerved?
Drivers often lie to protect themselves. We use physical evidence like skid marks and bicycle damage to prove your path of travel. We also look for surveillance video that reveals the truth.
How much does a bicycle accident lawyer cost?
We work on a contingency fee basis. You pay nothing upfront. We only get paid if we win your case. Our fee comes as a percentage of the settlement or verdict we secure for you.
Can I use my car insurance if I was on a bike?
Yes. In Utah your Personal Injury Protection coverage and Uninsured Motorist coverage typically apply if a motor vehicle hit you while you cycled. We review your policy to confirm your benefits.
How long do I have to file a lawsuit?
You generally have four years to file a personal injury lawsuit in Utah. However waiting destroys evidence. You should contact an attorney immediately to preserve the proof needed to win.
Get Back on the Road to Recovery
The crash took away your ability to ride, but it should not take away your future. Parker & McConkie, a trusted Saratoga Springs personal injury lawyer, serves cyclists in Saratoga Springs, Lehi, Eagle Mountain, and throughout Utah County. We provide the strength, the strategy, and the dedication you need to win.
Call our team today at (801) 845-0440 for a free, no-obligation consultation. We are ready to fight for you.
