Every year, thousands of bicyclists are injured or killed by vehicles in the U.S. Given that vehicles can weigh as much as 3,500 pounds, cyclists are at a higher risk of injury in accidents, often facing broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord damage.

You have a right to compensation if you’re hit by a negligent driver as a cyclist in Michigan. Speak with a personal injury attorney in a free consultation at Fieger Law today. We can represent your interests in a personal injury claim and help you win a fair settlement to pay for your damages.

What the Statistics Say

The latest statistics on bicycle accidents are concerning. Here is a summary of these incidents across the nation in 2021:

  • 961 bicyclists were killed in vehicle accidents.
  • Since 2010, bicyclist deaths have increased by 55%.
  • 90% of fatalities were bicyclists aged 20 or over.
  • 85% of cyclists were killed in urban areas.
  • Bicyclists make up 2% of motor vehicle crash deaths.

If you’ve been injured in a crash in Michigan or anywhere in the U.S., contact Fieger Law. We can assist in holding the responsible party accountable and securing compensation in a personal injury claim.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Various situations on the road can lead to bicycle accidents. These incidents often involve driver negligence, poor road conditions, and visibility issues, which increase the risk for those walking or cycling.

  • Alcohol Use: Accidents resulting from compromised decision-making and coordination due to alcohol consumption.
  • Excessive Speed: Speeding increases the likelihood of crashes and the severity of impacts with cyclists.
  • Driver Distraction: Activities such as texting or calling while driving distract attention from the road and heighten the risk of accidents.
  • Inattention to Bicyclists: Some drivers fail to observe or anticipate the movements of bicyclists, leading to collisions.
  • Failure to Yield: Accidents can occur when drivers do not respect the right-of-way rules at intersections and crosswalks.
  • Dooring: Accidents can occur when drivers or passengers open vehicle doors without looking for approaching cyclists.
  • Negligent Backing: Pulling out of a parking spot without checking for cyclists passing by can result in accidents.
  • Unsafe Road Conditions: Hazardous situations for cyclists can result from roads and sidewalks that are poorly maintained or designed.
  • Bicycle Equipment Failure: Faulty or poorly maintained bike components, such as brakes, can result in loss of control and crashes.
  • Poor Property Maintenance: Unkempt properties can obstruct visibility or create hazards that contribute to accidents.

Suffering at the hands of a careless driver or due to an improperly maintained street isn’t acceptable. Fieger Law will fight for your rights, taking on big insurance or powerful government agencies to get you the recovery award you deserve.

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries

Bicyclists frequently sustain severe and life-changing injuries when involved in collisions with vehicles. These injuries include a range of physical trauma that can impact the victim’s quality of life and require long-term medical care.

  • Traumatic Brain Injuries: Impacts to the head can lead to concussions, skull fractures, or more severe brain damage, affecting cognitive and physical functions.
  • Spinal Cord Injuries: Injury to the spinal cord may lead to partial or full paralysis, changing a victim’s way of life and necessitating ongoing care.
  • Broken Bones: Collisions often result in fractures, ranging from simple breaks that may heal with time to complex fractures requiring surgical intervention.
  • Internal Injuries and Bleeding: The intensity of a collision can lead to damage or bleeding of internal organs, creating potentially fatal conditions that require prompt medical intervention.

When you suffer a serious injury, you deserve compensation. Our skilled lawyers at Fieger Law have won millions for accident victims. We can put our experience and skills to work for your case, helping you receive coverage for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Compensation for Bicycle Accident Victims

When you work with a qualified attorney at Fieger Law, we can help you get full compensation for your injuries caused by a negligent party. We’ll investigate the accident, determine fault, and calculate the following damages for your settlement award:

 

Type of Compensation What It Covers
Medical Costs Covers expenses for immediate and ongoing medical care, including hospital stays, surgeries, medication, rehabilitation, and medical equipment.
Lost Wages Compensates for the income lost due to time off work for recovery. This includes potential future earnings lost if you cannot return to work or must change professions due to your injuries.
Pain and Suffering Provides compensation for the physical discomfort and emotional turmoil experienced due to the accident, covering both present and future pain and suffering.
Punitive Exemplary Damages Awarded in cases where a defendant’s actions show a wanton disregard for the safety of others. These are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future and are based on your compensatory damages.

 

Understanding Comparative Negligence

Comparative negligence is a legal principle that might affect how much compensation you receive in your case. It acknowledges that in a personal injury case, both sides might have played a part in causing the accident.

In an accident, how much you’re at fault is determined by percentage, and this influences your compensation. For instance, if during a dooring accident you’re found 30% at fault because you and the driver were not paying attention, your compensation is reduced by 30%. So, you receive 70% of the total settlement amount.

Michigan uses a modified comparative fault system, which stipulates that if the injured party is found to be more than 50% at fault, they are ineligible to receive any compensation.

If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident and share some of the responsibility, the principle of comparative fault could impact your compensation amount. At Fieger Law, our team is ready to assist you in gathering evidence to establish the other party’s liability to secure the maximum settlement for you.

Importance of Legal Representation

Choosing the right lawyers for a bicycle accident claim can protect your rights and increase your chances of receiving a fair settlement from insurance companies. At Fieger Law, our attorneys can offer the following services to help you win your case:

  • Understand Complex Laws: We can use our legal knowledge to interpret and apply Michigan’s negligence laws to benefit your case.
  • Maximize Your Compensation: We can thoroughly assess your damages, helping you get fair compensation for medical expenses, lost earnings, and all accident-related losses.
  • Negotiate with Insurers: We handle tough negotiations with insurance companies, preventing adjusters from pressuring you into a lowball settlement.
  • Offer Strong Court Representation: We can provide aggressive representation in court if needed, to secure the damage award you deserve.
  • Handle Legal Procedures: We handle every legal detail, from collecting evidence to managing paperwork, allowing you to focus on your recovery.

Michigan’s Leading Bicycle Accident Attorneys

For over 70 years, the nationally recognized bicycle accident lawyers at Fieger Law have fought and won judgments for our clients. If you or a family member suffered from a bike accident, the skilled attorneys at Fieger Law can help.

Reach out to Michigan’s nationally recognized law firm for bicycle accident cases today to schedule a free consultation and begin your claim.