Bicycling is a popular and enjoyable form of recreation and transportation in Columbia. Unfortunately, bicyclists are vulnerable on the road. If you have been in a crash with a motor vehicle, you may have sustained serious injuries.
In such circumstances, the negligence of a car or truck operator may be the cause of the accident. Our bicycle accident lawyers in Columbia may be able to seek compensation for your injuries and other damages through a personal injury claim.
Aaron Sachs and Associates has recovered more than half a billion dollars for our injured clients. Learn more about how our personal injury lawyers in Columbia can assist you after a cycling accident when you call for your free consultation.
What To Do After a Bicycle Accident in Columbia
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident caused by another person or entity’s negligence, it’s essential to know your rights and what actions to take. Your decisions can impact your legal case and may play a role in the compensation you can recover.
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Your health and well-being should be your top priority. Even if you feel that your injuries are minor, it’s crucial to seek medical attention immediately after the accident. Adrenaline can mask the severity of injuries, and some medical conditions may not present themselves until later.
Make sure you comply with your doctor’s orders and keep all the relevant medical documents and bills to present them as evidence later.
Report the Accident to the Police and Gather Evidence
After seeking medical attention, contact the Columbia Police Department to document the accident. They will file an accident report that can be used for your claim later. Gather as much evidence as possible, including photos of the accident scene.
If there were any witnesses, collect their contact information so your lawyer can ask for their statement. All this information will be valuable evidence to support your claim.
Contact Our Legal Team
Our bicycle accident attorneys in Columbia are trained to handle situations like this. We will evaluate your case and guide you through the legal process of filing an injury claim. We’ll deal with insurers and communicate with them on your behalf.
Our team will negotiate for a fair settlement and make sure your rights are protected. If necessary, we will file a civil lawsuit and fight for you at the Boone County Courthouse.
Keep a Record of Everything
It’s important to keep all documentation regarding the bicycle accident. This includes medical bills, medical reports, lost wage information, and expenses related to repairing or replacing your bicycle.
Aaron Sachs and Associates can assist you in organizing and keeping track of these documents. We can also explain what every cyclist should know after a crash.
For a free legal consultation with a bicycle accident lawyer serving Columbia, call 417-777-7777
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents involving negligent drivers are, unfortunately, all too common. Understanding how your crash happened can help our legal team build a case proving the driver was at fault for the accident.
- Failure to Yield Right of Way: Drivers often fail to yield to cyclists at intersections, especially when turning. This can lead to collisions when a cyclist is legally proceeding through the area.
- Distracted Driving: A distracted driver may not notice a cyclist on the road due to texting, eating, or using in-car devices. This lack of attention increases the risk of hitting a cyclist.
- Speeding: Drivers going over the speed limit have less time to react to cyclists and less control over their vehicles. This greatly increases the chance and severity of accidents involving bikes.
- Unsafe Lane Changes: When changing lanes, drivers may not properly check mirrors or blind spots. This can result in sideswiping or cutting off cyclists traveling in the same direction.
- Dooring: Dooring occurs when someone opens a car door directly into a cyclist’s path. Cyclists often have no time to avoid the collision, leading to serious injuries.
- DWI (Driving While Intoxicated): Alcohol or drugs impair a driver’s vision, judgment, and reaction time. This makes it much harder to notice or safely pass cyclists on the road.
- Running Stop Signs or Red Lights: Drivers who ignore traffic signals on Stadium Boulevard or other roads may strike cyclists crossing intersections legally. Cyclists are especially vulnerable in these scenarios due to limited protection.
- Tailgating or Aggressive Driving: Aggressive drivers who follow cyclists too closely or drive aggressively can cause crashes or force cyclists off the road. This behavior is both reckless and dangerous.
- Not Checking Before Turning: Some drivers make turns without looking for cyclists approaching alongside them. This often results in “hook” collisions where the car turns directly into a cyclist’s path.
- Poor Visibility: Low-light conditions or weather can make cyclists harder to see. Drivers who don’t adjust their driving accordingly put cyclists at risk.
In Missouri, cyclists generally have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of motor vehicles. If you followed the rules and a motorist didn’t, our Columbia bicycle accident lawyers at Aaron Sachs and Associates can help you hold them accountable for your damages.
Columbia Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me 417-777-7777
Missouri Bicycle Laws
Cyclists are expected to obey all traffic signals, signs, and roadway markings. The City of Columbia lists additional requirements and suggestions on their bicycle safety tips page.
Ride With Traffic
Cyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic, not against it. When riding on the road, cyclists should stay as far to the right as is safe and practicable, except when making a left turn, avoiding hazards, or when the lane is too narrow to share safely with a motor vehicle.
Helmets for Riders Age 15 and Under
Missouri does not have a statewide law requiring bicyclists to wear helmets. However, helmets are required in Columbia for operators and passengers age 15 and under, per Columbia City Ordinance 14-509.
Use a Light at Night
Under RSMo § 307.185, cyclists riding at night must equip their bicycles with a white front light visible from at least 500 feet and a red rear reflector visible from 600 feet (a rear lamp emitting red light visible from 500 feet may also be used). These lighting requirements help ensure cyclists are visible to others in low-light conditions.
Ride Carefully on Sidewalks
Cyclists are allowed to ride on sidewalks unless local ordinances specifically prohibit it. However, when riding on a sidewalk or in a crosswalk, cyclists must yield the right of way to pedestrians and give an audible signal before passing.
Motorists also have responsibilities when sharing the road with cyclists. Missouri law requires drivers to pass cyclists at a safe distance. If a driver struck you because they ignored safety precautions, Aaron Sachs and Associates will work to show they were at fault.
Click to contact our Personal Injury Lawyers in Columbia today
Time Limits for Filing Your Bicycle Accident Lawsuit
Mo. Rev. Stat. § 516.120 sets a deadline for filing your personal injury lawsuit. Missing the deadline may bar recovery.
The deadline varies depending on the claim and circumstances. Consult with our attorneys to confirm the deadline that applies to your case.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Get Help from Our Bicycle Accident Attorneys in Columbia
A bicycle crash can lead to serious injuries that keep you from working for weeks. When you can’t work, bills can start piling up, all because of an accident that wasn’t your fault.
Our bicycle accident attorneys in Columbia can help you pursue the compensation you need to recover from your injuries and get your life back on track.
Aaron Sachs and Associates has been standing up for people hurt in accidents since 1991. Call now to schedule your free consultation.
Call or text 417-777-7777 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
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