BIKE ACCIDENT
PRACTICE AREAS
NORTH LOUISIANA BIKE INJURY ATTORNEY
Bicycle Accident Lawyer Serving Bossier City, Shreveport, and the Surrounding Areas
Bicycle accidents can be devastating, often resulting in severe injuries and life-altering consequences. When you’re faced with the challenges of recovering from a bicycle accident, it’s crucial to have a compassionate and experienced bicycle accident lawyer by your side.
At the Law Offices of Michael J. Vergis, our Louisiana personal injury attorneys are dedicated to serving the communities of Bossier City, Shreveport, and the surrounding areas with dedicated legal representation. Our attorneys aggressively advocate for the rights of bicycle accident victims throughout North Louisiana, helping them obtain the compensation they deserve for their injuries and losses. Whether it’s a collision with a vehicle, a poorly maintained road, or any other form of negligence, we are here to assist you in pursuing a bicycle accident claim and holding the negligent parties accountable.
If someone else’s negligence caused a serious bicycle accident that led to you or your loved one’s injuries, you likely already understand the physical, emotional, and financial toll it can take. A Louisiana bicycle accident attorney like Michael J. Vergis can help make sure you are appropriately compensated for each of these physical, emotional, and financial burdens that have been unfairly placed on you. To speak with an attorney at our firm about your case, give us a call at (318) 698-3724 today for a free consultation.
Dangers Unique to Bicyclists
Bike riders face a distinct set of risks and dangers on the road, making them extremely vulnerable to serious injuries in the event of a bike crash. Unlike motorists who are often encased in protective vehicles, a bike rider lacks the physical barriers that cars can provide. The absence of things such as airbags and seatbelts exposes these bicyclists to a higher risk of sustaining severe injuries in accidents.
Even with the use of helmets and other protective gear, these individuals remain at greater risk when involved in collisions with motor vehicles or encountering road hazards. These unique challenges emphasize the importance of vigilance on both the part of bike riders and all road users to promote safer cycling environments.
If you’ve experienced a bike crash resulting in serious injuries, seeking legal guidance from an experienced attorney can be crucial in ensuring your rights are protected and that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and related losses.
Common Causes of Bike Accidents
Just like car accidents and a range of other personal injury accidents, there are a number of things that may lead to a bicycle accident claim. Below, we provide some of the more common causes of bicycle accidents that often lead to personal injury cases:
- Distracted Driving: Motor vehicle drivers using cell phones or engaging in other distractions while behind the wheel may fail to notice bicycle riders, leading to potentially devastating collisions.
- Failure to Yield: Drivers violating traffic laws such as not yielding the right of way to bicycle riders at intersections or crosswalks can cause serious accidents.
- Car Door Incidents: Opening car doors without checking for oncoming bicycles, known as “dooring,” can result in bike accidents.
- Unsafe Lane Changes: Sudden lane changes or turns by motor vehicles without checking blind spots can lead to collisions with bike riders sharing the road.
- Speeding: Excessive speeding by motor vehicle operators reduces reaction time, making it that much more difficult to avoid bicycle accidents.
- Failure to Obey Traffic Signals: Running red lights or stop signs by both cyclists and motorists can result in dangerous intersections and collisions.
- Drunk Driving: A drunk driver on the road poses a significant risk to bicycle riders, as their impaired judgment and reaction times increase the likelihood of these types of accidents.
- Inadequate Bike Lanes: A poorly designed or maintained bike lane can expose cyclists to danger when navigating through traffic.
- Lack of Bike Infrastructure: Areas without dedicated bike lanes or paths can force cyclists to share the road with vehicles, increasing the risk of accidents.
- Negligent Road Conditions: Potholes, debris, and poorly maintained roadways can all contribute to hazardous conditions that can cause rides to lose control and suffer injuries in a bicycle accident.
Understanding these common causes of bicycle accidents is crucial in both preventing accidents and addressing personal injury cases when they occur. Both drivers and cyclists must adhere to traffic laws and exercise caution on the road to enhance safety for everyone.
Common Injuries Resulting From Bicycle Accidents
Unfortunately, bicycle accidents can result in a range of injuries, including catastrophic injuries, that can permanently alter the course of a victim’s life and require extensive medical treatment. Some of the more common bike-accident related injuries include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Severe brain injuries are often caused by blunt force trauma and can have long-term consequences and require immediate medical attention.
- Head Injuries: Apart from TBIs, other head injuries like skull fractures, concussions, or eye injuries can happen in bicycle accidents.
- Facial Injuries: Such injuries may include fractures, lacerations, scarring, or dental damage, often requiring surgery or reconstructive procedures.
- Back Injuries: Bike accidents can lead to serious back injuries, as the impact of a collision can exert tremendous force on the spine, potentially causing damage to the vertebrae, discs, or spinal cord.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Spinal injuries can lead to paralysis or reduced mobility, impacting a person’s quality of life significantly.
- Amputations: In some cases, bicycle accidents can result in catastrophic injuries such as amputations, which can be physically, emotionally, and financially devastating for victims and their families.
- Soft Tissue Injuries: Sprains, strains, and contusions are common soft tissue injuries that can lead to discomfort and loss of function, while torn ligaments, tendons, or muscles can cause long-lasting pain and limited mobility.
- Burn Injuries: Exposure to hot surfaces or chemicals during a bike accident can lead to a burn injury that may require extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation. Road burn or “road rash” can also cause severe pain and disfigurement.
It’s crucial for bicycle accident victims to seek immediate medical attention, even for seemingly minor injuries, as some injuries may not produce symptoms right away. Prompt medical care can help prevent complications and provide documentation for future legal claims.
Who is Responsible for My Bicycle Accident?
Determining responsibility for a bicycle accident can be a complex task, and it often involves multiple factors. Motor vehicle drivers are frequently involved, but there are other potential parties who might be responsible as well. To navigate the intricacies of assigning responsibility in bicycle accident cases, seeking the assistance of experienced personal injury lawyers is of the utmost importance.
In many bicycle accident cases, motor vehicle drivers can be held responsible when their negligence, such as distracted driving, failure to yield, or reckless behavior, leads to the collision. However, there are other scenarios where responsibility may extend to entities responsible for road maintenance, bike lane design, or even bike manufacturers if a defective bicycle component contributed to the accident.
Personal injury lawyers with experience handling bicycle accident cases play a critical role in determining responsibility. They have the legal knowledge, resources, and investigative skills it takes to assess the circumstances, gather evidence, interview witnesses, and consult with experts if needed. Their ability to scrutinize all aspects of the accident is crucial in ensuring that all potentially responsible parties are identified and held accountable.
How a Bike Injury Lawyer Can Help Your Claim
At The Law Office of Michael J. Vergis, our bicycle accident attorneys bring a deep understanding of Louisiana bike laws and personal injury cases when assisting clients. They use their knowledge to guide bike accident victims through the legal process, ensuring that all relevant laws are applied to the injury claim. This allows them to build strong cases that maximize compensation for bike accident victims while navigating the intricacies of the legal system on their behalf.
Determining Fault
Personal injury attorneys with experience in bike accident cases play a critical role in helping clients determine fault. They meticulously analyze the circumstances of the accident and the bicycle accident injuries sustained in order to prove negligence on the part of the responsible party.
Collecting Evidence
In a bicycle accident case, a skilled bike injury lawyer takes the lead in collecting vital evidence to strengthen their client’s case. For example, they’ll obtain the accident report, meticulously review medical records to establish the extent of injuries, gather witness testimony to corroborate the events, and, if necessary, engage expert witnesses to provide specialized insights.
Negotiating With Insurance Company
A personal injury lawyer is a strong advocate when it comes to negotiating with insurance companies on behalf of their clients. They leverage their knowledge of personal injury law and insurance claims to engage in skillful negotiations, aiming to secure a fair and just settlement for bicycle crash victims.
Representing You at Trial
If a fair settlement can not be reached, your attorney will file a lawsuit on your behalf. In personal injury lawsuits stemming from bicycle accidents, a dedicated bike injury lawyer brings extensive litigation experience to the table, skillfully presenting the case, examining witnesses, and presenting evidence to support their client’s claims.
Fighting for Damages for Medical Expenses, Lost Wages, and More
Bike injury lawyers will fight hard to secure both economic and non-economic damages in the aftermath of serious accidents. They will calculate the extensive medical bills incurred, including (but certainly not limited to) costs for physical therapy and treatment of conditions like post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In wrongful death cases, they will also seek compensation for things like emotional distress and loss of companionship, ensuring that families of wrongful death victims receive the comprehensive support and justice they deserve.
Louisiana Personal Injury Attorney Handling Bicycle Accident Claims
At the law firm of Michael J. Vergis in Northwest Louisiana, our dedicated team of Shreveport and Bossier City bike accident lawyers understand the unique challenges faced by injury victims affected by these accidents. That’s why we are fully committed to guiding you through the complexities of personal injury claims like these.
With our experienced legal assistance, you can rest assured knowing that we will tirelessly advocate for your rights, seeking the financial compensation you need to rebuild your life after a bicycle accident. We are here to stand by your side, providing compassionate support and unwavering legal representation. Your recovery is our priority, and we are ready to help you navigate the path to justice and healing. Contact us today to learn how we can assist you in your journey toward recovery and securing the compensation you deserve.
Call Today for a Free Consultation
If you sustained injuries in a bike accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, call our Northwest Louisiana personal injury law firm today at (318) 698-3724 or reach out via our online intake form to schedule your free consultation today. Our experienced attorneys will get straight to work on your personal injury case and fight aggressively for your right to fair compensation.
Spanish