Lexington Bicycle Accident Lawyer

When bicyclists are involved in accidents, the resulting injuries are often devastating. At the law offices of Gary C. Johnson P.S.C., we are experienced in representing bicycle accident victims and their families. If you or a loved one has suffered a serious injury after a bicycle collision, contact us today to discuss your case.

Why Choose A Lexington Bicycle Accident Lawyer?

• We have significant experience in handling bicycle accident claims and securing recovery for injured bicyclists.
• Our Lexington personal injury attorneys are prepared to handle all types of bicycle accident cases including those involving catastrophic and fatal injuries.
• We exercise a holistic approach to bicycle accident claims in order to help our clients recover for their physical, financial, and emotional injuries and damages.
• Our goal in every bicycle accident claim is to maximize client compensation by proving accident liability and all resulting injuries and damages.

How Our Lexington Bicycle Accident Attorneys Can Help

The investigation process is a critical first step in proving both liability and the full extent of injuries and damages sustained. Our attorneys are not interested in turn-and-burn cases that settle for a fraction of the amount of their true value in order to get a quick settlement. We conduct thorough investigations and take the time needed to prove our clients’ claims and maximize their compensation.

In the investigation process, our experienced Lexington bicycle accident attorneys will gather facts and evidence by interviewing witnesses, obtaining accident footage when available, reviewing police reports and medical records, and hiring experts when necessary. Experts are frequently hired to help with accident reconstruction in order to prove accident facts and fault. Medical experts are often hired to review medical records, conduct independent medical examinations, offer medical consultation, and provide expert testimony as needed.

Causes of Bicycle Accidents In Lexington

Bicycle accidents in and around Lexington, Kentucky, occur in a wide variety of ways. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for vehicle drivers to operate carelessly around bicyclists in and around the city. Some of the most common causes of vehicle impacts with bicycles include drivers:

• Operating too fast for conditions
• Following a bicyclist too closely
• Operating while impaired by alcohol or drugs
• Failing to yield the right of way
• Operating while distracted
• Running a stop sign or stop light
• Passing a bicyclist too closely
• Opening a door into a bicyclist’s path 

Aside from driver negligence, there are certainly other factors that can influence bicyclist safety. In some cases, hazards on or around the roadway can lead to bicycle accidents. This can include poorly maintained roadways, missing or obscured road signs, poorly designed roadways or bike lanes, and more. In some cases, municipal entities or private companies may be held responsible depending on where a bicycle accident occurs.

Lexington Bicycle Accident Injuries 

Bicycle accident victims in Lexington often suffer a range of injuries as a result of these incidents. Unfortunately, bicyclists are vulnerable to severe injuries when they sustain an impact with a much heavier vehicle. In many cases, a bicycle accident leads to two injury-causing impacts – one impact with the vehicle and another impact with the ground or other solid object.

Some of the most common injuries associated with bicycle accidents include:

• Broken or dislocated bones
• Severe lacerations or puncture wounds
• Major road rash injuries
• Spinal cord trauma with paralysis
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Facial trauma
• Crush injuries or amputations

In addition to physical traumatic injuries bicyclists may sustain, it is not uncommon for them to also suffer from a range of pain and suffering. This can include extended feelings of stress, anxiety, and fear, or even symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

Damages Available In A Lexington Bicycle Accident Case

Bicycle accident victims may be able to recover a range of types of compensation if their claim against the at-fault party is successful. Our goal is to help clients recover both economic and non-economic damages for their losses:

• Economic damages. Also known as general damages, these types of losses revolve around a victim’s calculable expenses. By using receipts or bills that a victim receives or will likely receive, economic damages such as the following can be included in a demand letter:
  • Emergency medical expenses
  • Any follow-up hospital or doctor visits
  • Medical devices or prescription meds
  • Lost income if a victim is unable to work
  • Out-of-pocket household expenses associated with the injury
  • Property damage expenses
• Non-economic damages. Also known as special damages, these types of losses are less measurable than the economic damages just mentioned. These types of losses revolve around a bicycle accident victim’s physical and emotional pain and suffering as well as their loss of quality of life. There are various accepted calculation methods for non-economic damages, and we encourage you to speak to your attorney about how much to expect for these specific types of losses.

There is no set amount of compensation paid to bicycle accident victims in Lexington. Rather, several factors can influence how much a person receives. Some of these factors include the severity of the injuries, how long it takes a person to recover, whether or not there is any disability, the level of any shared fault, as well as insurance policy limitations.

Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident in Lexington, KY

There are various steps that bicycle accidents in Lexington, KY, can take in order to help preserve the integrity of their claim. Some of these steps can be taken right away after an incident occurs, but others may need to be taken over the days and weeks following the initial incident.

1. Medical treatment. Bicycle accident victims must seek medical care right away. For severe injuries, this means taking an ambulance to the hospital. However, even if the signs and symptoms of injuries are not severe right away, bicycle accident victims should seek medical care immediately. Sometimes, delayed injuries can cause severe complications if they are not noticed right away. Seeking treatment as soon as possible helps establish a solid timeline between the bicycle crash and any injuries that arise.
2. Reporting the incident. Bicycle accidents must be reported to law enforcement officials so they can come to the scene and fill out an accident report. 
3. Gather evidence. It may be possible to gather some evidence at the scene of the incident, including photographs of injuries, property damage, and the surrounding area. There may be cameras on nearby homes or businesses that capture footage of the incident. The contact information for any eyewitnesses should be written down before those individuals leave the scene of the incident.
4. Contact an attorney. A skilled bicycle accident lawyer in Lexington can take over the case immediately. This will include conducting a full investigation into the incident and handling all communication with other parties involved.
5. Keep medical appointments. Bicycle accident victims should continue all medical treatment recommended by their physician, even if they start to feel better. Discontinuing care against medical advice could jeopardize the insurance payout.

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?

Bicycle accident victims must file a claim against the alleged negligent party as soon as possible. Under Kentucky law, there are time constraints and they should contact an attorney as soon as possible or something along those lines, keep the amount of time out of it because it depends on a lot of different circumstances. Failing to file a lawsuit within this time frame will likely result in the claim being dismissed, leaving the bicycle accident victim unable to recover compensation for their losses.

It is important to file an insurance claim as soon as possible after the incident occurs. Insurance carriers typically have much stricter reporting deadlines and failing to promptly file a claim with the carrier could result in a denial or significant delays.

Comparative Negligence In A Lexington Bicycle Accident Case

State and local laws govern bicycle operation on Kentucky roads, but violating a bicycle law does not necessarily prohibit a bicyclist’s right to recover for his or her injuries and damages in an accident. Under Kentucky’s comparative negligence laws, a plaintiff’s recovery amount will be reduced by his or her share of fault. For example, if a bicyclist sustains $100,000 in injuries and damages in a bicycle accident and he or she is found to be 10% at fault for the accident, his or her recovery will be reduced by 10% ($10,000) to $90,000.

Wrongful Death Action Following A Lexington Bicycle Accident

Under Kentucky law, when fatal injuries are caused by another person’s negligence or wrongful acts, a wrongful death action may be appropriate. The personal representative of the decedent’s estate may bring a wrongful death action on behalf of close family members or the estate. Depending on the case circumstances and surviving family members, those who may sometimes recover under wrongful death actions include spouses, children, parents, and the estate. Reach out to a Lexington wrongful death lawyer to learn more.

Contact Our Lexington Bicycle Accident Lawyers Today

Bicycle accident cases should only be entrusted to highly experienced and knowledgeable bicycle accident attorneys, especially those involving serious and debilitating injuries. Contact our Kentucky bicycle accident attorneys at Gary C. Johnson, P.S.C., to discuss the details of your bicycle accident and injuries sustained during a free personal injury consultation. Medical bills, future medical bills, lost wages, and short-term and long-term injuries can be stressful and overwhelming, but having a compassionate accident attorney in Lexington advocating for your recovery can make the process easier for you and your family.