Bicycle Accidents

Every year, Missouri residents take nearly 20 million bicycle trips, and 2 million residents ride a bicycle regularly sharing the road with other motorists. And, every year, thousands of bicycle accidents occur.

Driver negligence and reckless driving by motorists are often the cause of bicycle accidents; defective bike components is another. But even with the protection provided by biking gear, biking laws, biking lanes, and more, bicycles still lack the frame of a car making riders more vulnerable to serious, life-threatening injuries.

According to the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, in 2022, 1,105 bicyclists were killed in crashes with motor vehicles.

Driver Negligence Causes Bicycle Accidents

bicycle accident bicycle accidents bicyclists reckless drivingNegligence and reckless driving takes many forms, including:

  • Turning in front of the cyclist or failing to yield the right of way
  • Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol
  • Distracted driving
  • Speeding and running a stop sign or red light
  • Drifting into a bike lane

Seriously Injured in a Bicycle Accident?  We Are Here to Help.

Common Bike Accident Injuries

  • Abrasions
  • Contusions
  • Lacerations
  • Skull fractures
  • Concussions
  • Brain contusions
  • Intracranial hemorrhage

Bicycle Vs. Road Defects

biking accidents road hazards road defectsAnother cause of bicycle accidents is abrupt changes in the road’s surface such as potholes. These road defects can be extremely dangerous for cyclists, causing them to fall off or lose control and veer into the path of a car.

 

Examples of Road Defects 

  • Improper placement of utility poles or trees too near the roadway
  • Foliage obstructing stop signs
  • Lack of a properly designed shoulder
  • Improperly designed intersections
  • Uncovered ditches (obstructions or poor drainage design)

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Defective Bike Components

While bicycle accidents caused by defective bike components may be less common, they still happen and cause serious injuries. Accidents caused by faulty components may mean you should seek the services of a product liability lawyer for their specific legal expertise.

Fill out our free case evaluation online.


Experienced Attorneys Build Your Case

Bicycle accidents often result in serious injuries that can involve not just immediate expenses but ongoing, long-term medical treatment.

attorney lawyer driver negligence negligenceYou want experienced attorneys who will conduct a thorough investigation and build your case so that you obtain the compensation you deserve. Our attorneys will provide sound legal advice and guidance throughout the process gathering evidence, such as:

  • The specific details and photos of your bicycle accident
  • Applicable local, state and federal laws
  • If caused by a road hazard, whether sufficient warning of the hazard was provided, how long the hazard has been in place, and what entities might be responsible

Most bike accident lawsuits will require assistance from a personal injury lawyer, an expert who knows how Missouri law affects car and bicycle riders.

The majority of bicycle-specific laws can be found in Chapter 300 and Chapter 307 of the Revised Statutes of Missouri. In general, these laws can be grouped into 2 categories:


Receive a Free Evaluation from Attorneys with Bicycle Accident Experience

If you or someone in your family has been involved in a serious bicycle accident, the attorneys at Nash & Franciskato will help you obtain the compensation you deserve. In the Kansas City area and across Missouri, the Nash & Franciskato Law Firm will fight for your rights. Contact us today for a free, no-obligation evaluation of your case.

Contact Us for a Free Review of Your Case


Editor’s Note: This page was reviewed for content and accuracy on May 23, 2024 and was republished at that time.


FAQ

What are some of the ways a bicycle can be hit by a car?
Q
A

Left cross is when a car is coming towards the bicyclist and makes a sudden left turn into the cyclist or in front of the cyclist.

A left-cross in the blind spot occurs when the cyclist is riding to the right and behind a car going straight and a left-turning motorist sees a gap behind that car and quickly turns behind the car but into the path of a cyclist.

Right hook is when a cyclist passes a slow-moving car on the right and the car suddenly turns right into the cyclist.

Trailer whip effect occurs when a driver simply jerks or jolts his or her steering wheel too quickly causing the trailer behind the vehicle to shift violently. This can be deadly for a cyclist.

Check out this article, How To Not Get Hit by Cars, for more information.

Are bicycles considered a motor vehicle?
Q
A

According to the NHTSA, “bicyclists are considered vehicle operators; they are required to obey the same rules of the road as other vehicle operators, including obeying traffic signs, signals, and lane markings. When cycling in the streets, cyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic.”

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