Louisville has earned a reputation as a high-risk zone for cyclists, frequently ranking among the most hazardous cities in Kentucky for bicycle travel. When a motorist’s recklessness leads to a collision, the physical and emotional consequences are often devastating. Having an advocate who understands the specific dangers of local transit is essential. A knowledgeable Louisville bicycle accident lawyer at The Schafer Law Office can provide the legal support you need.
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With Mike Schafer on your side, you’re in good hands for your bicycle accident recovery. The KY injury attorneys at The Schafer Law Office have been helping bike accident injury victims in Kentucky get compensated for more than 25 years. Unlike big bicycle accident law firms that have other people work on your case, Mike is personally involved in every case.
The Schafer Law Office knows the challenges and pitfalls of Kentucky bicycle accident injury cases, all the tactics of the “other” side, and how to effectively present the facts. They can handle the brutal tactics of the insurance companies. In fact, before Mike opened The Schafer Law Office, he worked for an insurance defense firm. They really know all the tactics the insurance companies have up their sleeves.
Do you have questions about your bicycle accident case? The Louisville bicycle accident attorneys at The Schafer Law Office have the answers!
Call 9-1-1 to report the bicycle accident as soon as possible. Police will come to the accident scene and file an accident report. If it’s safe and you are able to do so, gather as much information from the accident scene as possible. You’ll want to get the other party’s name, phone number, address, license plate number, and make and model of their vehicle.
If you have a camera or smartphone, you will also want to take pictures. Take pictures of the accident scene, damage to your bicycle, other vehicles involved, license plate numbers, and people involved in the accident. Do NOT put your life at risk to gather information or take pictures of the accident scene. The police report will have many of these details recorded for you in case you aren’t able to gather evidence.
Even if you feel fine after the accident, you need to see a doctor right away. Some injuries aren’t visible right away. Seeing a doctor may help diagnose your injuries. Also, if you feel that legal action is necessary, you should consult with a personal injury attorney. They can help you get compensated for your injuries.
Call (502) 584-9511 to speak with a trusted attorney today!
How are bicycle accidents different from car accidents in Louisville, KY?
Bike lanes are meant to keep vehicles away from cyclists. While this doesn’t always happen, bike lanes give cyclists their own space to ride. Studies have shown that bike lanes improve safety for both motorists and cyclists by lowering the chance of a bicycle accident in Louisville, KY. This is because drivers can pass a cyclist without having to swerve into the other lane to get around the cyclist.
This is also good for cyclists because they don’t have to hug the side of the road as much as on roads without bike lanes. Hugging the side of the road may make a cyclist feel safer, but it is harder for other vehicles to see them.
Bike lanes help protect cyclists, but they also have their risks. Cyclists need to be aware of their surroundings, keep an eye on other vehicles, and watch out for objects in their lane. Here are some obstacles to look out for when you’re riding in a bike lane:
Riding a bicycle is both fun and rewarding, but it can be dangerous. You are completely exposed to your surroundings and are harder for other vehicles to see.
Here’s some important information to be aware of. In 2023 alone, there were more than 340,000 non-fatal bicycle injuries. That same year, there were, unfortunately, 1,100 bike-related fatalities recorded across the country.
Bicycle accident victims often face a bias where motorists or insurance adjusters blame cyclists for being on the road. Hard data flips this narrative. Accidents are a systemic issue caused by reckless driving trends. At our firm, we validate your trauma. When you take legal action, it’s a necessary step to protect public safety from negligent drivers.
Also, don’t let this data about bike accidents discourage you from riding your bike, however. Here is a list of safety tips to keep in mind when you go for a bike ride in KY:
Although some cases go to trial, the majority of bicycle accident claims are settled. How much they settle for depends on factors that are unique to each case, such as:
In general, the greater the victim’s financial and emotional harm, the larger the settlement in a bicycle accident case. Your Louisville bicycle accident lawyer at The Schafer Law Office uses trusted and accurate resources to calculate the value of your claim settlement and advocate for it during negotiations with the insurance company. If a settlement is not reached in your bicycle accident case, The Schafer Law Office is ready to take your case to trial.
Kentucky is a no-fault state for motor vehicle accidents, meaning that drivers typically turn to their own auto insurance company to cover their losses. When you’re injured as a cyclist, and personal injury protection (PIP) coverage is available through the insurance company of the car that hit you, you can use it to cover up to $10,000 of your medical bills, 85% of lost wages (up to $200 per week), and other out-of-pocket costs.
You can sue the responsible party directly if your claim meets the following criteria:
Your car accident attorney in Louisville can recommend the option that covers your financial needs, now and in the future.
Most accident attorneys handle cases on what is called a contingency fee basis. Mike Schafer also handles bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means that you do not pay a legal fee unless money is recovered for you. There is nothing to pay up front, and a fee is paid from the recovery that is made.
Perhaps you were distracted by looking at your bike computer and didn’t see an oncoming vehicle until it was too late to avoid a collision. How does this affect your right to compensation?
Kentucky follows a pure comparative fault rule, meaning that you can still seek compensation for your injuries even if you were partly or even mainly responsible for your accident and injuries. However, your settlement or award will be reduced by your degree of fault.
As an example, if the jury awarded $20,000 in compensation for your injuries and losses but determined that you were 10% liable for the bicycle accident, your damages would be reduced by $2,000. In this case, your damages would only be $18,000.
Insurance companies are notorious for trying to assign greater degrees of blame to claimants so that they reduce the amount of compensation they have to pay. Your Louisville, KY, bicycle accident lawyer resists all attempts to minimize the value of your claim so that you get the money you really need to make a recovery.
A: In Kentucky, bicycle injuries are frequently caused by negligent drivers operating their vehicles at high speeds. Since cyclists lack the structural protection of a car, even low-speed collisions often result in catastrophic injuries. Drivers cause accidents by failing to yield, distracted driving, and dooring issues.
Also, roadway infrastructure issues and a lack of dedicated bike lanes contribute to accidents. Unrestrained dogs chasing cyclists can cause rider crashes as well.
A: Some common injuries bike accident victims commonly sustain include head trauma, bone fractures, facial injuries, road rash, internal injuries, back injuries, skull fractures, concussions, dislocations, etc. With very little protection when compared to a standard car, bicyclists can experience serious injuries that result in costly damages and may require surgeries and extensive injuries.
A: If you’ve been involved in a cycling collision in Louisville, filing a personal injury case is a vital step toward protecting your future. Kentucky law empowers you to hold negligent motorists accountable under certain situations, providing you with the opportunity to recover the financial resources necessary to cover your medical expenses, lost income, and the long-term impact of your injuries.
A: In the immediate aftermath of a Kentucky bicycle accident, time is of the essence for both your health and your legal rights. Your first priority should always be a thorough self-check for injuries. Then, once you are safe, capture detailed photographs of the scene and the vehicles. Take photos of every driver’s license and insurance card, and make sure an official police report is filed. After that, call a lawyer right away to protect your rights.
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident in the city of Louisville or Kentucky, hire a bicycle accident lawyer who can give you reliable legal advice as soon as possible. You’ll want to make sure any evidence that will help your case can still be gathered. You’ll want to make sure that the evidence is not destroyed.
Partnering with a personal injury attorney is the most effective way to protect your future. Our firm can evaluate the specific details of your crash under Kentucky’s bicycle and traffic laws and help you navigate the various legal pathways available for securing the compensation you deserve.
Our Kentucky bicycle accident attorneys can help you understand your case and Kentucky law. You want a KY bike accident attorney who cares about you. You’ll find all that and much more in Mike Schafer and The Schafer Law Office.
Contact us today for a free consultation by calling (502) 584-9511 or by filling out the contact form here.
Resources
The Lawyer Who Wrote the Book
Here are some helpful articles, research studies, statistics, and Kentucky accident resources to assist you in finding the right information you need. There are plenty of articles on a variety of subjects, such as recalls, auto accident updates, forms, studies, and press releases from The Schafer Law Office.
Contact Mike Schafer, ‘The Lawyer Who Wrote The Book’, or Bryan Meader to solve your legal problems by calling (502) 584-9511 or by entering your information in our contact form. We want to help you in Louisville and the state of Kentucky!
Common Questions
Do I Need to See a Doctor After an Accident?
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