Toledo Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Toledo, Ohio Bike Accidents

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are over 2,500 bicycle accidents yearly. And in 2021, 28 cyclists were killed in Ohio, with three of those deaths occurring in the Toledo area.

Common Causes: How Did Your Bike Accident Happen?

In many cases, bicycle accidents in Toledo happen due to drivers failing to operate their vehicles safely. Some dangerous behaviors by drivers of passenger vehicles or commercial trucks include:

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

Common Bike Injuries

Bicycle Accident injuries can range in severity and include:

• Road rash, or abrasions and lacerations
• Lacerations that can become infected
• Bone fractures/breaks
• Musculoskeletal dislocations
• Skull fractures
• Dental fractures
• Internal ruptures
• Internal bleeding
• Mild/serious concussions

Some symptoms you experience might not be problematic at first but can become more serious over time. This can lead to compounding medical bills after your bicycle accident that can bury you if not properly handled.

Steps after a Bike Accident

If you’re involved in a bike accident, follow these rules so you get the proper medical care and collect as much info as possible during your accident claim and possible settlement:

1. Call the police – The police will take and file a police report, even if there are no visible injuries. Again, some injuries initially seem minor but can become more serious over time.
2. Get driver and witness contact information – Get the driver’s name, address, phone number, driver’s license number, vehicle plate number, and insurance information. Plus, try to get the names and contact information of everyone who witnessed the accident.
3. Don’t negotiate with the driver – Let the authorities, insurance, and courts handle the investigations and assign any blame/fault. The last thing you want is a handshake promise only to be later denied by the driver.
4. Give your version of events in the accident report – Make sure the officer talks to you and not just the driver. Be insistent and do everything you can to get your side of the story into the police report. If, for whatever reason, the police refuse to include your statement in the accident report, you can have it amended later.
5. Document what happened – Take as many mental and physical notes as you can. This includes what, where, how, why, and when it happened and all road, traffic, and weather conditions. Then, write all this information down as soon as you can.
6. Note your injuries – Seek immediate medical attention for your injuries, even minor ones, and take photos of them. The fact that you sought medical attention will prove that you were injured, and medical records will document the extent of your injuries.
7. Preserve evidence – Don’t immediately try to fix your bike; leave it and other damaged property in the same state after the accident. Plus, don’t wash your clothing or clean your helmet. Most importantly, take photos of everything and only let your bicycle accident attorney see everything.

Bicycle Accidents: How Is Fault/Liability Determined?

In the event of a bicycle accident claim or lawsuit, there are usually five scenarios for determining who is at fault/liable:

• Drivers – The driver admits they did wrong and caused the accident
• Police – The police report concludes that someone’s actions caused the accident
• Insurance – The bicycle accident insurance claim investigators look at the evidence and decide
• Arbitration – An independent, neutral third party looks at the evidence and decides
• Jury – One party takes the other party to court, and the jury decides

Basically, you start at the moment of the accident and then move through each one as you try to prove the other party’s fault.

Proving Negligence in Bike Accidents

To prove that the other party is liable, you’ll need to prove that their negligence caused the incident. This is accomplished by meeting the following:

• You were owed a duty of care
• The other party breached their duty
• The breach caused your bike accident and injuries
• You suffered damages or harm because of their action or conduct

Bicycle Accident Recoverable Damages & Compensation

Bike accident compensation typically comes through an insurance settlement or court award, but it should cover all your financial losses (damages). Some recoverable damages you may be entitled to after being injured while riding your bike through no fault of your own are your:

• Medical expenses (current & future)
• Lost income (Time off work & diminished capacity)
• Pain and suffering
• Mental anguish
• Disfigurement
• Loss of consortium (The negative effect your injuries had on your relationship)

There is no standard way to calculate the precise value of your case without first speaking to a lawyer. An experienced attorney can advise whether an insurance claim or lawsuit is your best option and when to accept a settlement after a bike accident.

Toledo Bike Accident FAQs

Hurt While on a Bike? Call KNR.

If you were hurt while riding your bike, you need an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Toledo to help. At KNR, we’re dedicated to helping injury victims move on after an accident– physically and financially.

Learn more about what legal options may be available when you contact Kisling, Nestico & Redick. Schedule your no-cost, risk-free consultation today. Call our Toledo legal office at (419) 324-8205 to get started.

Our Bike Accident Lawyers Will:

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