Edmond Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Did you suffer an injury after getting hit by a car or truck while riding your bike around Edmond, Oklahoma?
If so, you might be able to file a lawsuit to recover the compensation you need to pay your medical expenses.
To begin the legal process, all you need to do is contact an experienced Edmond bicycle accident lawyer from McGuire Law Firm at (405) 513-5658.
How Our Edmond Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help with Your Bike Crash Case
The seasoned personal injury lawyers at McGuire Law Firm have been fighting for the residents of Edmond, OK, for many years.
During that time, we have helped clients recover much-needed compensation after a wide variety of crashes and collisions.
When you hire our personal injury law firm to help you fight for civil justice after your bike accident, we will:
- Communicate with the other party's lawyers on your behalf
- Help you make tough decisions as necessary
- Handle your bike crash lawsuit's paperwork load
- Conduct an investigation into the cause of your accident
- Review your case and assess your crash-related damages
- Walk you through your possible legal options
- Offer you astute legal advice in a timely manner
- Answer all of your questions about the Oklahoma legal system
- Search for evidence that may help to prove your case
- Negotiate a settlement with the other party's insurance company
- Argue on your behalf in civil court, if necessary
Do you want to have the knowledgeable Edmond personal injury attorneys at McGuire Law Firm help you with your battle for damages? Then please do not hesitate to give us a call to arrange a free consultation at our Edmond law offices. We know how to win cases like yours.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Edmond, OK
Cars, trucks, and other motor vehicles crash into cyclists just about every day in Edmond, Oklahoma. But what causes these accidents to occur? In most cases, one or more of the following factors is to blame:
Distracted Driving
It is, unfortunately, not at all unusual to see motorists texting or eating as they drive through Edmond. These actions are distracting and may cause them to lose focus on the road ahead. As a result, these distracted drivers regularly collide with cyclists.
Drunk Driving
The presence of alcohol in a driver's bloodstream renders them incapable of operating a motor vehicle safely. Drunk motorists frequently swerve out of their lane, blow through stop signs, and ignore local traffic laws. This erratic behavior often causes them to crash into unsuspecting bike riders.
Speeding
When drivers speed through Edmond, OK, the length of time they have to react to upcoming obstacles and emergencies decreases significantly. As a result, they are often unable to take corrective action to avoid car accidents with cyclists and other vulnerable road users.
Unsafe Turning
When motorists make turns at busy intersections in Edmond, they tend to focus quite closely on the other cars and trucks in their vicinity. However, they often forget to watch out for bike riders in neighboring bike lanes. As such, it is no surprise that unsafe turning is one of the leading causes of bicycle accidents in the state of Oklahoma.
Poor Visibility
Heavy rain or fog can make it all but impossible for drivers to see into the distance as they travel through Edmond. This lack of visibility frequently causes them to crash into cyclists and pedestrians.
Did you sustain an injury at the hands of a drunk or distracted driver in the City of Edmond? If so, please get in touch with the experienced attorneys at McGuire Law Firm as soon as possible. We might be able to use our in-depth knowledge of the law to help you recover some compensation.
Proving Liability in Edmond Bicycle Accident Cases
As part of any personal injury lawsuit, plaintiffs must prove that the other party is liable for their healthcare costs and other damages.
Doing so usually means providing evidence to the court that shows that:
- The other party owed the plaintiff a duty of care
- The other party's negligence or carelessness breached that duty
- The other party's breach of duty caused the plaintiff's injury
- The plaintiff's injury is as severe or debilitating as they claim
The evidence presented to the court can vary significantly from one case to the next. However, judges and juries generally like to see:
- Witness testimony
- Accident scene photos
- Traffic camera footage, and
- Medical records
Do you need help looking for the evidence you need to prove your bicycle accident case? If so, please reach out to McGuire Law Firm today. We have been serving Oklahoma City and Edmond for years, and we are more than ready to assist you in any way that we can.
Common Injuries Sustained By Edmond Bicycle Accident Victims
When an Edmond resident gets into a motor vehicle accident, they have a range of safety features, like airbags and door beams, to reduce their risk of injury. Oklahoma cyclists do not have this luxury.
When bike riders get hit by a car, their body takes the brunt of the impact.
As such, they often report to the hospital with severe injuries, like:
- Broken bones
- Amputations
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Burns
- Facial disfigurement
- Spinal cord injuries
- Degloving injuries
- Eye injuries
No matter which of these injuries you sustained in your bicycle crash, you can count on McGuire Law Firm to help you pursue damages. We have years of experience in the industry, and we are ready to fight for you. Give us a call at your earliest convenience to set up a free case evaluation and start the legal process.
Damages Available to Bike Crash Victims in Edmond, Oklahoma
When determining the amount of compensation that injured people ought to receive after bike crashes, judges, juries, and insurance companies can consider a wide variety of factors, including:
- The cost of the victim's initial medical treatment
- The fees associated with the victim's ongoing care
- The cost to repair or replace the victim's personal property
- The amount of time the victim missed from work
- The effect the victim's injury will have on their ability to earn money
- The mental anguish the victim endured because of their injury
- The impact the victim's injury will have on their overall quality of life
- The limits on the at-fault party's insurance policy
When our experienced lawyers help bicycle accident victims file personal injury lawsuits, we demand compensation for their:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitative care costs
- Property damage
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Mental anguish
- Pain and suffering, and
- Loss of enjoyment of life
When Edmond residents lose their lives in bicycle crashes, our team helps their families file wrongful death suits and pursue damages for their:
- Burial or cremation expenses
- Loss of consortium, and
- Loss of inheritance
McGuire Law Firm has been helping the residents of Edmond fight for civil justice for many years. From medical malpractice lawsuits to workers' compensation claims, our skilled attorneys have a long history of securing favorable verdicts and settlements for our clients.
Reach out to us today if you would like to have us assist you with your pursuit of damages.
Statute of Limitations for Bicycle Accident Lawsuits in Oklahoma
12 OK Stat § 12-95 (2018) explains that the standard statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits in the state of Oklahoma is two years. As such, individuals who suffer broken arms or brain injuries in bicycle accidents in Edmond must generally begin their pursuit of damages before the second anniversary of their collision. If they fail to do so, they may lose their right to civil justice.
Is the statute of limitations for your bike accident case set to expire in the coming weeks or months? Then please get in contact with the team at the McGuire Law Firm in Edmond, OK, as soon as you can. Our knowledgeable lawyers might be able to expedite your filing process.
Your Experienced Edmond Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Edmond
At McGuire Law Firm, we have a long and proud history of standing up for the residents of Edmond, Oklahoma, when they need it most. Over the years, our experienced Edmond bicycle accident lawyers have helped a plethora of clients claim the compensation they deserve after crashes on local roads and highways. If you want to have us represent you during your bike accident case, please pick up the phone and give us a call as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions Related to Bicycle Accident :
What should I do immediately after a bicycle accident in Edmond?
As a rule of thumb, after an accident of any kind, you should see a doctor to confirm the extent of your injuries, if any. Some injuries, such as concussions or internal bleeding, may not show symptoms immediately, while other initial injuries, like a bone fracture, may feel or seem less severe in the immediate aftermath of an accident. Even if you feel fine after an accident, we advise that you seek medical attention immediately, as delays in discovering any injury may complicate the time limit in which you must bring a subsequent lawsuit. More importantly, delaying treatment can worsen your injuries and may even give a potential defendant a reason to deny causing ongoing and/or permanent injuries.
If you are able to do so, it is also advisable that you (1) take photographs of the scene of the accident, including any damage to your bicycle, to any involved vehicle(s), or to any surrounding structure(s) or item(s); (2) document your injuries, including with photos and videos; and (3) obtain contact information for any witness or witnesses. With this information in hand, you will be ready to speak with a lawyer and present the facts relevant to your potential claim(s).
How long does a bicycle-accident case take to settle?
It depends. The timeline of any lawsuit varies depending on the complexity of the case, the severity of injuries, and whether a settlement is attainable prior to trial. Some cases settle within months, while others may take years before even proceeding to trial.
Can I file a claim for a bicycle accident if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
The failure to wear a helmet does not bar legal claims arising from a bicycle-involved accident. Although the failure to wear a helmet may still affect your case, especially if the accident-causing party claims the failure to wear a helmet contributed to your injuries. For this reason, it is critical, after a bicycle-involved accident, that you contact a qualified attorney so that he or she can assess all the facts relevant to your claim(s).
Can I file a wrongful death claim if a loved one was killed in a bicycle accident?
The death of a loved one in a bicycle-involved accident may support various legal claims, including actions for wrongful death and negligence under Oklahoma law. However, in order to determine whether a viable legal claim exists, an attorney is likely necessary to properly evaluate all the facts and circumstances relevant to that determination.
What if I was partially at fault for my bicycle accident?
Under Oklahoma law, you cannot generally recover for negligence if you are more than fifty percent (50%) at fault for the circumstances giving rise to any injuries. So long as a plaintiff is less than 50.01% at fault, a claim arising from a bicycle-involved crash may lie, though the percentage of fault attributable to the injured party will reduce any damages awarded to that party. In circumstances where fault is shared or unclear, a qualified attorney is needed to evaluate who may be at fault, and with respect to each responsible party, to what extent.
What if the driver who hit me was uninsured or underinsured?
If the at-fault driver has little or no insurance, you may still be covered through your uninsured/underinsured motorist (UM/UIM) policy. Our legal team can evaluate your coverage and pursue all available avenues to secure fair compensation.
