Cincinnati Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Bicycle Accident Laws in Cincinnati

Ohio does not have a state-wide bicycle helmet law. However, Cincinnati has ordinances that all bicyclists 15 years and younger must wear a bicycle helmet when riding their bike.

Sadly, despite Cincinnati’s Bicycle Transportation Program efforts to make the city safer for bicyclists by installing bicycle lanes, creating shared bike paths, and upgrading bike trails with stormwater drains, the number of collisions involving bikers continues to be a cause for concern.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Cincinnati, OH

Bicycle accidents frequently occur when cars strike bicyclists. However, bike accidents can also occur due to collisions with motor vehicles and pedestrians.

Some common causes of bicycle accidents in Cincinnati include:

• Driving too fast, driving aggressively, or antagonizing bicyclists
• Driving under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or other incapacitating influences
• Failing to check a vehicle’s blind spots when changing lanes
• Failing to come to a complete stop at stop signs
• Failing to yield to a bicyclist when it is appropriate
• Making the right or left turns suddenly in front of oncoming cyclists
• Opening doors in front of bicyclists in busy urban centers
• Pulling out from driveways or parked positions without looking
• Sideswiping bicyclists who are traveling on the shoulder
• Talking on a cell phone or otherwise engaging a mobile device while driving

Common Injuries in Cincinnati Bike Accidents

The injuries that typically result from a bicycle accident can range in severity from cuts and scrapes to catastrophic harm. Some of the more serious injuries sustained by cyclists are:

• Traumatic brain injuries, head injuries, neck injuries, soft tissue injuries, concussion, brain hemorrhage, and internal bleeding
• Spinal cord injuries, back injuries, paralysis, broken bones, compound fractures, organ damage, and amputation
• Emotional injuries including nightmares, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and psychological trauma

What to Do After a Bike Accident in Cincinnati?

Your steps after your bicycle accident in Cincinnati could provide valuable evidence to support your case and increase your chances of recovering maximum compensation.

After any bicycle accident, you should:

1. Contact emergency responders and police
2. Take photos, speak with witnesses, and document your bicycle accident scene
3. Speak with the other involved party to obtain their insurance and contact details
4. Obtain a healthcare evaluation and the treatment you need
5. Reach out to a dedicated bicycle accident attorney for help

Filing a Bicycle Accident Insurance Claim

Dealing with the bicycle accident claims process can be overwhelming. The negligent driver may deny responsibility, or their insurance company may be dismissive of your injuries. However, once you better understand the insurance claim process after a bike accident, you may feel more confident in pursuing your case.

At KNR, our Cincinnati bicycle accident attorneys will:

• Investigate liability and fault for your bicycle accident by interviewing witnesses, hiring experts, and securing other supporting evidence
• Go over your economic and non-economic damages to account for every loss connected to your bike accident and get the most out of your bicycle accident claim
• File insurance claims with the liable party’s insurer if the defendant has coverage
• Represent your interests at trial if the defendant does not carry insurance coverage or the insurance settlement you were offered does not meet your needs.

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Proving Fault & Liability for Your Bike Accident

Uncovering liability for your bicycle accident injuries is one of the most important elements of the claims process. In dealing with car versus bicycle accidents, it is not uncommon for several parties to share fault.

KNR will be responsible for showing how the defendant’s negligence caused your injuries and resulting damages.

Negligence in Bicycle Accident Cases

For your bicycle accident claim in Cincinnati to succeed, your attorney must prove that the elements of negligence were met in your case. Since liability must be established based on a preponderance of the evidence, the following characteristics must be proven:

• If you were struck by a vehicle, the driver who hit you owed you a duty of care, as they do all motorists, passengers, and pedestrians on the roadways
• After being hit by a car, the driver must have engaged in some type of irresponsible conduct that breached their duty of care, such as distracted driving, drunk driving, or reckless driving
• The reckless driver’s conduct must be the cause of your bicycle accident damages, or injuries
• Your bicycle accident attorney will need to demonstrate how your life was affected by the breach of their duty.

Cincinnati Bike Accident FAQs

Our Cincinnati Bike Accident Lawyers Will:

• Communicate with the insurer, clarify liability, and pursue max compensation.
• Determine your accident’s full and fair value – what you lost and deserve.
• Interview witnesses, medical professionals, and experts to show how your life was impacted.
• Investigate, collect evidence, and find those at fault.
• Keep you informed and involved. KNR is available by phone, text, email, or Zoom.
• Never charge you upfront. If there’s no recovery, there’s no cost.
• Protect your rights and, if necessary, take your case to court.