While bicycling can be an excellent source of exercise and a clean form of transportation, bicycles lack a steel frame, seatbelts, or airbags that would protect riders in case of an accident. When a negligent motorist hits a bicyclist, injuries can be severe and life-changing. If you have been adversely affected by a bicycle accident, an Idaho Falls bicycle accident lawyer from Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers can help.
Our law firm has championed the rights of accident victims in Idaho Falls, ID, and other areas for almost five decades. We have successfully recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for our personal injury clients through verdicts and settlements. We encourage you to contact our law firm today at (208) 418-0633 for a free consultation.
How Can a Bike Accident Lawyer Help Me?
Bicycle accidents often result in catastrophic injuries. Rather than immediately taking responsibility, many negligent motorists try to blame the bicyclist, who may be too injured to remember or tell their side of the story. An experienced Idaho Falls personal injury attorney from Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers can handle all aspects of your claim, including:
- Claim assessment: We can discuss your legal rights and options after a bicycle accident in a confidential setting. You have no obligation to pursue your case unless you choose to.
- Investigation: We launch an immediate investigation to determine how the accident happened and who is legally responsible.
- Damages calculation: We work meticulously to identify all the short- and long-term losses the accident caused.
- Claim management: Our team can help coordinate medical care, handle communications with insurance companies, and submit required forms to advance your legal claims.
- Case monitoring: We monitor relevant deadlines in your case and take prompt legal action to protect your legal rights.
- Negotiations: We fight for maximum compensation for your claim.
Contact us today for a free initial consultation to begin the path to recovery.
What Is My Bicycle Accident Case Worth?
Every bike accident case is different, so there’s no average amount we can give you to expect. The potential value of your claim depends on factors specific to your case, including:
- The type and severity of injuries you suffered
- Whether your injuries are permanent in nature
- How your injuries affect your ability to work
- The type and expense of medical treatment you receive
- The extent and duration of pain and suffering you endured
- Who is responsible for the accident
- Insurance coverage available
After we conduct a thorough investigation, we can give you a better idea of the potential value of your claim.
What Are Common Bicycle Accident Injuries?
Because bicyclists have little protection against the weight and force of a motor vehicle, they may suffer severe injuries. Many of these injuries are life-threatening and can result in permanent disabilities. Bicycle accidents have the potential to cause:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Road rash
- Burns
- Fractured and dislocated bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Death
These injuries can result in significant losses to victims and their families. You may be able to recover compensation for these losses by filing a personal injury claim.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents often occur due to driver error. Leading causes of bike accidents include:
- Speeding: When drivers speed, they have less time to come to a complete stop before hitting a bicyclist.
- Failing to yield the right-of-way: Drivers may fail to stop at intersections or give others who arrived first there the right-of-way.
- Distractions: Drivers may be distracted by cell phones, passengers, kids, pets, audio controls, or other stimuli.
- Making unsafe lane changes: Drivers might fail to check their surroundings when changing lanes, potentially hitting a bicyclist occupying an adjoining lane.
- Running red lights or stop signs: When drivers do not obey traffic signals, they can crash into bicyclists who are obeying the law.
- Driving too close to bike lanes: Drivers may leave too little space between their vehicle and a nearby bicycle lane, crashing into a bicyclist in the lane.
- Dooring accidents: Some drivers may fail to look around them when opening their door into traffic’s pathway.
- Weather: Drivers must adjust their driving habits to account for low visibility and slippery roads. When they don’t, they can hit unsuspecting cyclists.
Our team can investigate the factors that contributed to the accident and who is responsible for it.
Idaho Bicycle Laws
Bicyclists are treated as vehicles for most purposes, with all the accompanying rights and responsibilities. Rules specific to Idaho bicyclists include:
- Riding together: Bicyclists can ride two abreast within a single lane with another cyclist.
- Positioning in a traffic lane: Bicyclists must ride as close as practicable to the right side of the road when traveling at a slower rate of speed than other road users when not preparing for a turn, passing, or avoiding road hazards.
- Stopping at traffic signals: Idaho law requires bicyclists to slow down at a stop sign and stop, if required for safety, before entering an intersection. Then, the bicyclist yields the right-of-way to any vehicle in the intersection or approaching so closely as to constitute an immediate hazard. Bicyclists must come to a complete stop at a red traffic light and must yield to all other traffic before proceeding through the light.
- Turning at traffic signals: The bicyclist must occupy the lane used by motor vehicles for turning when executing a turn. At least 100 feet before the turn, the bicyclist must give a signal indicating their intention to turn.
- Overtaking cars: Bicyclists must exercise due care when passing a vehicle.
- Installing equipment: Bicyclists must be equipped with a front white light and a rear red reflector visible from at least 500 feet away when riding at night. Bikes must also have good, working brakes.
- Carrying passengers: Bicyclists cannot carry more people than the bike is designed to handle, but they can carry a child in a sling or backpack.
An experienced bicycle accident lawyer can work to prove that you were obeying the laws that applied during your case to combat unfounded allegations that you are at fault for the accident.
What Damages Can I Recover in a Bike Accident Case?
Idaho law specifically provides for victims to recover compensation for personal injury or property damage caused by the wrongful act or negligence of another. Economic damages can include payment for:
- Medical expenses you incurred
- Loss of earnings
- Out-of-pocket expenses you incurred
You can also seek compensation for non-economic damages, such as pain and suffering, mental anguish, and emotional distress. Idaho law limits the amount of compensation personal injury victims can recover for non-economic damages to $250,000, adjusted for inflation. The cap does not apply to injuries caused by willful or reckless misconduct or an act that the trier of fact determines to be a felony under state or federal law.
Can I Still Recover Compensation If I Am Partially at Fault for the Accident?
Idaho uses a modified comparative negligence system in cases where the accident victim contributed to the accident. In these situations, you can still pursue compensation from the at-fault party as long as you are not 50% or more at fault. If your percentage of fault is less than 50%, your compensation is reduced by your degree of fault. If you are 50% or more at fault, you won’t be able to recover at all.
Suppose you are 20% responsible for the accident. You suffer $100,000 in damages. As a result, your claim is reduced by 20% or $20,000 in this example. Insurance companies are aware of these rules and sometimes try to take advantage of them to blame you for as much of the accident as possible. Our lawyers can defend your rights in these situations.
What to Do After a Bike Accident in Idaho Falls
After a bike accident, take the following steps to protect your rights and maximize your personal injury settlement:
- Call 911 immediately. Ask for a copy of the police report when it is ready.
- Get the driver’s information, including their name, contact information, insurance information, and driver’s license number.
- Ask witnesses for their contact information.
- Ask someone to take pictures of the accident, if possible.
- Seek immediate medical treatment.
- Follow up with your treatment.
- Keep all of your accident-related documentation and evidence.
Finally, contact an experienced lawyer who can protect your legal rights going forward.
What Is the Statute of Limitations to File a Personal Injury Lawsuit in Idaho?
All states set different time limits for taking certain legal actions, including filing personal injury lawsuits. In Idaho, accident victims generally have two years from the accident date to file their case. If this deadline passes and the case hasn’t been settled, you can lose your right to recover compensation through the courts. You can protect your legal rights by contacting an experienced personal injury lawyer who can advise you of the deadline that applies to your case.
Contact Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Case Review
If you were injured in a bicycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may have legal options for obtaining compensation. Our Idaho Falls bicycle accident lawyers are committed to recovering maximum compensation for your future. Contact Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers at (208) 418-0633 for a free case review.
