Fishers Bicycle Accident Attorney

Bicycling in Fishers, Indiana, is a great form of exercise and a cheap and environmentally friendly way to commute. As with any other vehicle type, bike accidents are sometimes inevitable. Careless drivers, unexpected bumps, and poor weather can lead to collisions, falls, and injuries.

When another party is at fault for the accident, an experienced Fishers bicycle accident lawyer can help you receive just compensation for your injuries.

Vehicles must make reasonable bicycle accommodations. However, you need to understand bicycle laws in Indiana to ensure you get a fair settlement after an incident. A skilled bicycle accident attorney in Fishers, Indiana, will help navigate the process.

Serious bicycle accidents are more common than you might think. Over the past decade, Indianapolis, Indiana, has seen between one and five bike-related fatalities annually. However, the figure rose to seven in 2021. It is far more dangerous to be a pedestrian, with 20 to 30 deaths due to walker-car accidents yearly.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 932 bicyclists died in motor vehicle crashes in 2020 nationwide, an 8.9% increase from 2019, which saw a total of 856 fatalities.

Overall, 2% of all motor vehicle accident deaths involve cyclists, meaning there are significant dangers for bikers sharing the road with cars and trucks.

A majority of these deaths were preventable. For example, helmets prevent up to 60% of head injury deaths, but only 29% of adults wear helmets consistently. Many bike crashes, whether they include a car or not, can be severe, even if they are not deadly. Overall, bike wrecks lead to an average of 580,000 hospital visits every year.

Advocates are calling for better bike and pedestrian infrastructure to help lower these numbers further.

For immediate legal assistance from an experienced bicycle accident attorney in Fishers, Indiana, contact our law firm today. We offer free case evaluations and are always happy to answer any questions you have.

Here are the four possible causes of most bicycle accidents in Indiana.

Reckless Driver – Reckless driver accidents involve a motor vehicle hitting a cyclist. Drivers have a duty of care towards all parties that share the road, including other cars, pedestrians, and cyclists. Distracted driving, speeding, not following traffic signs, or leaving the road are all examples of reckless driving.

Finally, operating a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is considered reckless driving. One-third of all car-bike accident fatalities involve DUIs.

Reckless Cyclist – Accidents also occur because some cyclists put themselves in danger by weaving in and out of traffic, ignoring traffic signs and signals, and not paying attention. In addition to swerving in front of a car or going through a red light, reckless cyclists can also be liable for accidents involving pedestrians, pets, or property damage.

Poor Road Conditions – Poor road conditions are sometimes to blame for accidents. Issues such as cracked concrete, potholes, and poor lighting can cause falls or crashes. Weather issues, such as rain or snow, can also play a role in accidents, especially if the precipitation is unexpected.

Even if road conditions are a problem, both cyclists and drivers are responsible for adjusting their riding and driving to account for the poor conditions when they become aware of them.

Defective Bicycle – Defective bicycle accidents are rare, but they can occur if brakes, handlebars, chains, or other components are faulty. You should understand that accidents caused by defective bikes are not the same as incidents due to poor bicycle upkeep.

Worn brakes, loose chains, and other maintenance issues are typically signs of negligence by the owner or their mechanic, not the manufacturer.

A skilled and experienced Fishers bicycle accident lawyer can help you file a claim and pursue compensation if you are the victim. Like any other legal case, a bike claim or civil lawsuit involves filing the correct paperwork, compiling evidence, and presenting your case in court if necessary.

In addition to advising you on each step of the process, an attorney can inform you about the laws and regulations related to your case and ensure you pursue the right level of compensation.

Here is a closer look at the three areas an attorney focuses on when working for you.

• Compiling evidence – In an accident case, you will need to prove that the other party behaved negligently or recklessly and that this behavior caused the accident. This proof involves collecting evidence and presenting it. In bike cases, evidence could include police reports, medical statements, witness records, and traffic camera footage. A legal representative can help you compile all this material and present it convincingly.
• Administrative work – Legal cases involve a lot of paperwork. In addition to compiling evidence, you need to file documents with the court, notify the other parties of the case, and present proof to insurance companies. An attorney can handle these administrative tasks so that you do not miss any deadlines or delay the case because of paperwork issues.
• Negotiation – Many bicycle accident claims get settled out of court. An attorney often presents the evidence to the other party’s attorneys or the insurance company. If your case is compelling, they may agree to pay a settlement instead of going to a costly civil trial. Your attorney will negotiate to ensure fair compensation.

Indiana bicycle laws explain what cyclists can and cannot do while sharing the road with vehicles or the sidewalk with pedestrians. Here are some of the more important rules of the road for pedal-powered two-wheelers.

• When they are on the road, bicyclists generally have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers.
• Bicyclists can ride on sidewalks and paths. They may use bicycle lanes on the roads, but they are not required to do so. However, cyclists should always stay to the right of the street if they are moving at a slower pace than vehicle traffic.
• Bicyclists must obey traffic signals and signs and signal turns before making them. 
• At night, bikes must have proper lighting. They need a front white light and a rear red lamp or red reflector visible from 500 feet away.
• Bicycles can use a bell, but whistles or sirens are illegal.
• Bikes must have functioning brakes and a seat. 
• Bicyclists must follow Indiana’s DUI laws. Rules and limits for riding under the influence are the same for cyclists as they are for drivers.

Failure to follow these rules can result in partial or full liability for an accident. The other party’s attorneys or insurer may attempt to prove that you did not adhere to specific laws before the accident to establish partial liability on your part. 

To learn more about bicycle laws, contact a skilled bicycle accident lawyer in Fisher, Indiana, at SLG Accident Attorneys today.

Victims of bicycle injuries in Indiana may be entitled to compensation for their losses and pain after a bicycle accident. Here are the expenses you can pursue with the help of your attorney.

1. You can recover the medical costs for treatments related to injuries sustained during the accident.
2. You may also receive compensation for lost wages if the bike accident causes you to miss work.
3. You receive compensation for personal property damaged during the bike accident. The items could include the bike and any other broken possessions, such as a phone, glasses, clothing, or a backpack.
4. You can also qualify for damages for pain and suffering if the accident left you with lingering psychological issues or caused anxiety, post-traumatic stress, or other problems. These issues may be directly caused by the accident or could be because of an indirect result. For example, stress from being unable to work or provide care for your family could qualify as pain and suffering. 
5. If the negligent party acted maliciously in causing the accident in Fishers, Indiana, and your resulting injuries, you might have access to punitive damages through the civil lawsuit. However, punitive damages are capped at $50,000 in Indiana. 

You may be able to pursue compensation for other reasons as long as you can prove the damage and show that the accident for which you were not at fault led to these unwanted effects. 

Fishers, Indiana, has many opportunities for bicycling. Some recommended shops in the area which can help you if your bicycle has been damaged include:

Motion Cycling:  Located at 9530 126th Street, this shop can help repair your bicycle if necessary, and they also have many new ones available to choose from.

Electric Bike Paradise: If you are interested in opting for an e-bike, then consider visiting this shop. They have everything you need to get started. They are located at 9783 East 116th Street near Cumberland Road.

Law firms need to represent clients against drivers and other parties, but they also need to be able to negotiate with and argue against insurance companies.

At SLG Accident Attorneys, our skilled Fishers bicycle accident lawyers have extensive experience with personal injury cases involving the negligence of another party. This knowledge makes us the perfect choice for bike accident victims in Fishers, Indiana, and the wider Hamilton County area.

We live and work in this area, so we know that traffic has gotten worse in the past few years, and we understand the type of situations cyclists encounter on the road.

We have a stellar record when it comes to negotiations and civil trials, and we use a transparent fee structure to ensure you clearly understand the arrangement before we take your case. 

You can check our reviews online to see how we compare to other law firms in the Fishers area. Or you can contact us right away to see how we can help you pursue just compensation for your bicycle accident.

Some of the locations near Fishers which our legal team serves include: Indianapolis, Carmel, Noblesville, Greenwood, Anderson, Lawrence, Westfield, Zionsville, Beech Grove, Speedway, Greenfield, Brownsburg, Elwood, Plainfield, Fall Creek, and more.