Cincinnati Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Bicycle Accidents in Cincinnati, Ohio

Although Ohio does not have a state-wide helmet law for bicyclists, Cincinnati mandates that all cyclists under 16 years old must wear a helmet while riding. Despite efforts by the city, including the Cincinnati Bicycle Transportation Program with improved bike lanes and trails, accidents continue to happen at an alarming rate due to the negligence of others.

Cincinnati is committed to making roads safer for cyclists, but shared roads with motor vehicles still pose significant risks. Knowing your rights and the local laws surrounding bicycling in Cincinnati can be critical in seeking compensation after an accident. Our KNR attorneys are well-versed in Cincinnati’s biking laws and will guide you through the legal process.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Cincinnati, OH

Bicycle accidents often occur because of negligence by drivers or unsafe road conditions. Some of the most frequent causes of bike accidents in Cincinnati include:

• Speeding or aggressive driving: Drivers who exceed the speed limit or drive recklessly may not be able to react in time to avoid hitting cyclists.
• Driving under the influence: Impaired drivers are less likely to notice or yield to bicyclists, leading to devastating accidents.
• Failure to check blind spots: Drivers often overlook cyclists while changing lanes or making turns.
• Failure to stop at stop signs: Running stop signs in Cincinnati’s urban areas can lead to collisions with cyclists who have the right of way.
• Failure to yield: Many drivers do not yield to bicyclists when appropriate, especially at intersections or while turning.
• Right and left turns in front of cyclists: Sudden turns can cut off cyclists, causing collisions or forcing them to swerve into dangerous areas.
• “Dooring” accidents: Drivers and passengers often open their car doors into bike lanes, directly into the path of cyclists.
• Pulling out without looking: Drivers who pull out from driveways or parking spots without checking for cyclists can cause severe accidents.
• Sideswiping: Drivers may not leave enough space when passing cyclists, leading to sideswipe accidents.
• Distracted driving: Talking on a phone, texting, or other distractions can result in drivers not noticing nearby cyclists.

Cincinnati Bike Accident Injuries

Cyclists are vulnerable to severe injuries because they have little protection in crashes with vehicles or road hazards. Some of the most common injuries sustained in Cincinnati bicycle accidents include:

• Head and Brain Injuries: Concussions, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), and skull fractures are among the most serious injuries cyclists can suffer, even with helmets.
• Spinal Cord Injuries: Damage to the spine can lead to paralysis, mobility loss, and chronic pain.
• Broken Bones and Fractures: Cyclists frequently sustain broken bones in the arms, legs, and ribs in crashes.
• Internal Injuries: Collisions can cause internal bleeding or damage to vital organs.
• Psychological Trauma: Anxiety, PTSD, and depression can develop after a serious accident, affecting the cyclist’s mental health

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These injuries often require extensive medical treatment, including hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, and long-term care. The costs of these treatments, coupled with lost income and reduced quality of life, can be overwhelming for victims and their families

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Cincinnati

If you’ve been injured in a bike accident in Cincinnati, your immediate actions can significantly impact the outcome of your claim. Here’s what you should do:

Call 911: Report the accident to emergency responders and ensure that police arrive at the scene to file a report.
Document the scene: Take photos of the accident, including your injuries, damage to your bicycle, and the vehicle involved.
Gather information: Exchange contact and insurance information with the driver, and speak to witnesses who can provide statements.
Seek medical attention: Even if you feel fine, see a doctor to check for hidden injuries that may appear later.
Contact a bicycle accident lawyer: Get in touch with KNR for a free consultation. We can help you navigate the legal process and ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.

Proving Fault & Liability for Your Bicycle Accident

Proving liability in a bicycle accident case is critical to securing compensation. Our KNR legal team will investigate the accident to determine who was at fault by:

• Collecting evidence: Reviewing traffic camera footage, police reports, and witness statements.
• Reconstructing the accident: Working with experts to recreate the scene and identify the cause of the crash.
• Examining road conditions: Investigating whether dangerous or poorly maintained roads contributed to the accident.
• Consulting medical professionals: Gathering detailed medical reports to show the severity of your injuries.

We will establish that the at-fault party breached their duty of care to you and caused the accident that led to your injuries.

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.

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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