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Powell Law Firm
Address
7750 Clayton Road Suite 102 Saint Louis, Missouri 63117
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Assisting Injured Bicyclists to Receive the Compensation They Deserve
Riding a bicycle is unfortunately not always fun and games. The bicycle accident lawyers at Powell Law Firm in St. Louis recognize that representing victims with bicycles necessitates a specific type of St. Louis bicycle accident attorney with the skills, expertise, and ability to grasp bikers' rights, which other people often take for granted.
Bicycle accidents are one of the many personal injury related practice areas that we handle. Choosing a lawyer is not a decision to be made lightly. Ensure that the law firm you pick values the attorney-client relationship and prioritizes the case whether it is related to property damage, bodily injury, or a challenging insurance company.
Hospital bills, medical expenses, rehab expenses, future wage losses, lost earnings, pain and suffering, lost earning capacity, scars, physical disabilities, limb losses, head and brain injuries, depression, emotional distress, grief, anxiety, and other damages are among the numerous types of damages to which our clients are entitled.
The bicycle accident attorneys at Powell Law Firm understand the challenges that victims face, so we collaborate with our clients, their family and friends, and their psychologists, doctors, long-term care planners, insurance companies, and other professionals, to make sure that our clients receive not only the best legal representation but also the best medical care and support. Contacting and mediating with the insurance company is a huge part of our legal team's role in the accident claim, so call us today for further assistance.
What Are the Most Common Bicycle Accidents and Injuries?
Bicycling is a terrific way to get some exercise, appreciate a beautiful day, and travel in a cost-effective and environmentally beneficial manner.
However, when the driver of an automobile fails to pay attention to bikers with whom they are meant to share the road, it can be dangerous. In 2020, 52,000 bikers were wounded, and 716 died in incidents involving motor vehicles, as per the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The majority of the accidents (69%) happened in congested metropolitan settings.
Cyclists, unlike passengers in vehicles or trucks, are entirely exposed to the world surrounding them. As a result, when they are involved in car accidents, they are especially vulnerable to significant injury. These injuries can result from the impact of a car or when a cyclist is thrown to the ground, into traffic, or into another item as a result of an incident.
Incidents involving cyclists can result in the following major injuries:
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Spinal cord injuries
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Traumatic brain injuries
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Fractures
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Neck & Back InjuriesIn an accident, the pressure that is applied to the body might result in severe whiplash and spine or back fractures. This may necessitate the use of a neck brace for a period of time, but it can also lead to long-term pain, chronic problems, or partial to total paralysis.
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Internal Injuries & Broken BonesIn any form of incident, broken bones are among the most common injuries. When bones take the impact of a collision, are hit with another item, or are twisted in a crash, they can break or fracture.
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Spinal Cord InjuriesThe spinal cord is responsible for transmitting information from the brain to other body functions. Partial or complete paralysis can result from a breakdown in this connection.
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Traumatic Brain InjuriesA severe brain injury might have an irreversible effect on one's life quality. It may also have a significant impact on a person's personality as well as their capacity to control body functions.
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Burn InjuriesSkin grafting, acute care at a burn center, and reconstructive surgery are typically required for severe burn injuries. You may also require substantial rehabilitation, which may include job training in some situations.
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Animal BitesAnimals provide comfort and protection; however, when they attack, catastrophic injuries can result. Dog owners are accountable for their pets' behavior as well as any harm they may cause.
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ElectrocutionThe nerves, heart, and brain can all be affected by electric shock. It can potentially result in severe burns, if not death. When manufacturers, building owners, or power companies fail to follow safety requirements, electrical mishaps can occur.
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Wrongful DeathThe loss of a loved one in a deadly accident is one of the most difficult things someone can go through. The objective of a wrongful death claim, unlike a criminal charge (as per the law), is to compensate the family of the fatally injured victim for any losses.
Fortunately, St. Louis and Missouri law allow victims to seek compensation for these and other accident-related damages. As a result, persons injured in bicycle accidents should seek legal advice as quickly as possible to ensure that their legal rights are completely protected.
Why Are Bike Accidents in St. Louis and Missouri Different From Other Incidents?
When a bicyclist is concerned, injuries are generally more severe as there is less gear to protect the cyclist from harm. There is no protective shield, unlike in an automobile accident. Generally, the driver of the vehicle is held responsible for the collision.
Bicyclists have the same right to the road as any driver and are required to adhere to the same road laws as outlined above. Several motorists, however, are either unaware of or unconcerned about this fact, which can result in serious St. Louis bicycle incidents. Crashes involving cyclists are frequently caused by three factors.
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A motorist neglecting to pay attention to the surroundings, which including bikers on the road.
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Motorists frequently mistakenly believe bikes are “in their way,” instead of comprehending that they must share the roads.
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Impaired or distracted driving - When a driver is drinking or texting while driving, pedestrians and cyclists are put in grave danger.
Accidents Involving Bicyclists in St. Louis, Missouri
Although bicycle rides account for fewer than one percent of all travels in the US, bicyclists are at a higher risk of injury than motorists, as per the CDC.
In metropolitan St. Louis and the nearby regions, bicycle accidents, particularly collisions with cars, are widespread. Bicycle accidents in St. Louis are most common in the downtown region, although they also happen often around Forest Park and Saint Louis University's college. Two factors are most likely to blame for the high number of bicycle accidents in these locations.
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Major roads in the downtown area are frequently congested, leaving limited space for bikers to ride safely on the sidewalks and streets.
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The sheer quantity of bicyclists in the vicinity of Forest Park and SLU is larger - a college campus and park provide many opportunities for biking and thus more opportunities for bike accidents.
St. Louis, unlike other big cities, does not have a lot of bike lanes, which can be quite unsafe for bikers. Bicyclists in Missouri and St. Louis are forced to share the roads with cars due to a lack of bicycle lanes, resulting in car incidents.
The Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accident Injuries
Despite the fact that vehicles are required to “share the road” with bikers, most do not pay enough attention or exercise sufficient caution. Other factors may also play a role in severe bicycle accidents.
The following are some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents:
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Aggressive drivers
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Distracted drivers
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Failure to yield
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Intoxicated drivers or those who are impaired otherwise
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Running red lights, speeding, or violating any other traffic regulations
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Uneven payment, potholes, or other types of road defects
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Not checking the mirrors before opening a motor vehicle door
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Failure to look into the blind spots or mirrors before making a turn
These are just a few examples of how third persons can cause a bicycle accident by acting negligently. If a driver's or another party's negligence resulted in the damage, that person should be held accountable for their conduct, and the injured bicyclist should be compensated fairly.
The St. Louis bicycle accident attorneys at Powell Law Firm push for stronger laws to safeguard bicycles on St. Louis and Missouri's roads through supporting bike safety groups and organizations. An accomplished bicycle accident lawyer from our law firm is in a unique position to effectively defend clients injured in a bike accident due to their combined legal knowledge and thorough grasp of cycling concerns.
A St. Louis bicycle accident lawyer from Powell Law Firm passionately represents clients in Missouri who have experienced personal injuries due to bicycle accidents, or who may be the surviving member of a bicyclist killed in a road accident as a result of the negligent or reckless driving of a motor vehicle driver. Contact our law firm to tell us about your incident and receive a free case evaluation.
Personal Injury Practice Areas
COMMON BICYCLE ACCIDENT QUESTIONS
If you or a family member has been injured, have property damage, or have other financial losses as a result of a bicycle accident in St. Louis, MO, you may be eligible for compensation. To obtain a no-obligation, free case consultation with a St. Louis bicycle accident lawyer, call Powell Law Firm today.
Do you want to know straight away if you're eligible for compensation from a law firm? Use the contact form to reach out to our reputable St. Louis or Missouri bicycle accident attorneys for a free case review.
Why A Bicycle Accident Case Demands Special Attention
Bicycle accidents provide a unique set of challenges when compared to other forms of personal injury lawsuits. While the driver of the motor vehicle is virtually always to blame in bike accidents, motorists and law enforcement officials may try to transfer blame to the bicyclist.
Your St. Louis bicycle accident lawyer needs to pay close attention to jury selection and properly confront a prevalent predisposition against bicycles sharing the road in order to ensure a fair trial. Bicycle accident injuries are often severe, necessitating strong representation by a lawyer who knows cyclists' perspectives and rights.
Contact Powell Law Firm for a free case evaluation if you have been hurt in a bike accident. We are here to assist you in determining your legal rights.
Essential Factors an Experienced Bicycle Accident Lawyer Knows About Bicycle Accident Cases
Bicyclists are discriminated against in general. Furthermore, bicyclists are disliked by many witnesses, lawyers, insurance adjusters, and, most crucially, jurors. To ensure a good outcome in a bike accident personal injury case, this bias must be addressed promptly.
Many motorists despise bicyclists because they believe they hog the roads or do not have the right to share them. Numerous personal injury lawyers are unaware of this bias, if they are knowledgeable of it at all, or they may even share it.
To overcome this bias, a bike injury case must be pursued with zeal and dedication. With the understanding of the cyclist's perspective, our St. Louis, MO attorney not only knows the legal difficulties but also how to properly address jurors and witnesses so that they develop compassion for the injured rider.
Eyewitness accounts and police reports are both available. Even when witness statements place the blame on the driver of the vehicle, police officers may write accident reports that support the owner of the vehicle or are indifferent on liability. A solid personal injury case can be built by clearly communicating the details of an incident to the police as soon as possible after the occurrence. Gaining witness participation as soon as possible after the accident is also beneficial, as memories fade over time.
What Are Your Legal Rights In A Bicycle Accident?
If any person has been injured in a bike accident including a motor vehicle, they are undoubtedly wondering if their legal rights differ from those of motor vehicle drivers or passengers. The answer is, in a nutshell, no.
How Negligence Works In St. Louis
Bicyclists have the same legal rights as drivers and passengers in motor vehicles. In St. Louis, Missouri, the rule of negligence equally applies to bicyclists, which means they have the same right of way as cars, and drivers need to keep an eye out for bikes just as they would other cars to avoid motor vehicle accidents.
Bicycles And Cars Follow Similar Guidelines
The majority of bike incidents occur as a result of motorists' inattention or intentional failure to cede the right of way. When a car and a bicycle collide, consider whether there would be any doubt about who has responsibility if the bicycle had been a car. Generally, the answer is no.
Contact our firm to tell us more about your collision during a free case review. Representing bike accident victims necessitates a team of experienced St. Louis bicycle accident lawyers who are committed to their client's best interests. Our St. Louis bicycle accident attorneys at Powell Law Firm investigate each personal injury claim so that we can actively and passionately represent our clients and secure the best results.
Remember that the choice of a lawyer is an important one that should not be based solely upon advertisements. We value our attorney-client relationship; thus, we ensure that we evaluate all traffic laws to ensure that clients get the compensation they deserve.
When you need a St. Louis personal injury lawyer to defend you, a family member, or a friend who has been injured in a bicycle accident, call Powell Law Firm or fill out our online form for a free consultation and further legal advice.
The Powell Law Firm is nothing short of excellence and quality. In fact they go beyond that, if you're looking for quality, efficiency, and excellence you've come to the right place.
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