KANSAS CITY BICYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Terry Crouppen who has more than 40 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney. Our last modified date shows when this page was last reviewed.
This page has been written, edited, and reviewed by a team of legal writers following our comprehensive editorial guidelines. This page was approved by Founding Partner, Terry Crouppen who has more than 40 years of legal experience as a personal injury attorney. Our last modified date shows when this page was last reviewed.
- Last Modified:
- March 14, 2024
Bicycle accidents are scary, especially when they also involve a motor vehicle. Bicyclists can travel at relatively fast speeds but have limited protective gear, so injuries in a bicycle accident can be pretty serious. If you suffer an injury in a bicycle accident, you need all the help you can get to recover.
- What Should I Do After A Bike Accident In Kansas City?
- How can a bicycle accident attorney help me?
- What Are The Most Common Causes Of Bicycle Accidents?
- How long do I have to file a bicycle accident lawsuit in Kansas City?
- What compensation can I receive for my injuries?
- Who may be liable in a bicycle accident?
- When should I contact an injury lawyer?
- How much will a bicycle accident attorney cost?
- Why do people choose Brown & Crouppen?
- Contact Our Bicycle Accident Lawyers Today
- Get a Free Case Evaluation Today
At Brown & Crouppen, our Kansas City personal injury attorneys will help you get the money you need after an accident. We have experience taking on insurance companies and forcing them to pay when they try to deny proper claims.
Get started with your case by calling (816) 670-4701 to request a free case evaluation or find out if you have a case online.
WHAT SHOULD I DO AFTER A BIKE ACCIDENT IN KANSAS CITY?
The aftermath of a bicycle accident in Kansas City can be chaotic. The bicycle accident attorneys at Brown & Crouppen advise you to keep these steps in mind if you are involved in a bike accident. They can significantly improve your chances of securing the compensation you deserve.
1. SEEK MEDICAL ATTENTION
If you have been involved in a bicycle accident, your health should be your top priority. It’s a good idea to visit a physician immediately after an accident. Don’t disregard this step simply because you think you aren’t injured.
Remember, the symptoms of some injuries, such as concussions and organ damage, may not appear immediately after your bicycle crash. Seeking medical care also limits insurers from claiming you weren’t injured during the accident.
2. CALL 911
It’s crucial that you contact the police immediately after your accident. Law enforcement officers will conduct an investigation and prepare a police report, which can come in handy when determining who is at fault for the accident.
Police reports may also contain contact details of any eyewitnesses at the scene of the accident.
3. DON’T APOLOGIZE OR ADMIT FAULT
Even if you think you are to blame for the accident, don’t apologize to others at the scene or make any statements that may suggest you are liable for the bike wreck.
4. COLLECT DRIVER INFORMATION
If the police arrive at the scene, they can help you gather these details. Otherwise, you’ll need to get this information on your own. Record the driver’s name, phone number, license details, license plate number, and insurance information.
5. GATHER WITNESS INFORMATION
After an accident, it may be impossible to track down witnesses once they leave the scene of the accident. The best time to record their details is before they go. You should note down their names, addresses, and phone numbers, as well as their versions of what happened.
6. PRESERVE EVIDENCE
Photos and videos of accident scenes are crucial evidence in Kansas City bicycle accident claims. Take pictures of property damage at the scene, any visible injuries, road conditions, skid marks, and any other details that your bicycle accident attorney can use to prove liability.
7. DON’T POST ABOUT YOUR ACCIDENT ON SOCIAL MEDIA
Insurance adjusters are always looking for reasons to limit or deny your claim. For example, if you went to a friend’s birthday party a day after your injury, the insurance company may argue that your injuries weren’t that severe.
More often than not, posts on social media platforms may jeopardize your bike injury claim.
8. CONTACT A KANSAS CITY BICYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEY
If you’ve been involved in a bicycle accident, consider contacting our top bicycle accident attorneys. Brown & Crouppen is ready to look into the facts surrounding your case and advise you accordingly regarding your legal options.
HOW CAN A BICYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEY HELP ME?
If you have suffered an injury in a bicycle accident that was the fault of another party, you may have the right to receive compensation for your injuries.
However, just because you are eligible for compensation doesn’t mean that insurance companies will cooperate. If an insurance company denies your claim or does not offer you enough to pay for your expenses, contact Brown & Crouppen. Our Kansas City bicycle accident lawyers will strive to help you get the money you deserve.
Our attorneys will gather evidence from your accident in an effort to prove the fault of the other party and the severity of your injuries. We will negotiate with the insurance company to get you a fair and comprehensive settlement without having to involve the courts. Insurance companies usually agree to a reasonable settlement when they are facing a well-prepared and skilled attorney. If the insurance company refuses, our attorneys will be prepared to take the company to court.
Insurance companies usually agree to a reasonable settlement when facing a well-prepared and skilled attorney. If the insurance company refuses, our attorneys will be prepared to take the company to court.
Here are some other ways our bicycle injury lawyers can help with your case:
- Receive expert advice on bicycle accident laws
- Negotiate on your behalf as you rest and recover
- Give you the peace of mind you deserve
- Evaluate non-driver charges
- Avoid legal pitfalls
WHAT ARE THE MOST COMMON CAUSES OF BICYCLE ACCIDENTS?
Bicycle accidents in Kansas City, MO, can often be catastrophic since bikes, like motorcycles, don’t offer much protection during impact. Even if a cyclist wears a helmet, cycling gloves, and knee pads, this only minimizes their damage. It, however, doesn’t stop the other party’s negligence from causing the crash.
Some of the life-altering injuries that bicyclists sustain during crashes include:
- Lacerations
- Concussions
- Internal organ damage
- Broken bones
- Road rash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Paralysis
- Death
HOW LONG DO I HAVE TO FILE A BICYCLE ACCIDENT LAWSUIT IN KANSAS CITY?
The Kansas City metro area straddles the line between Kansas and Missouri. Because of this unique situation, the time you have to file a lawsuit may change depending on what street you were on when you were injured.
The Missouri statute of limitations gives you five years to file a lawsuit after an accident. In Kansas, you only have two years to file from the time of the accident. Our experienced attorneys will ensure that you don’t miss any deadlines.
WHAT COMPENSATION CAN I RECEIVE FOR MY INJURIES?
You may be eligible for compensation if an accident, such as a truck accident or uber accident, hit-and-run bicycle accident, pedestrian accident, leads to your injuries and other damages. Compensation for personal injury claims is meant to “make you whole” again. Compensation tries to put you where you were before your tragic accident.
Remember that insurance companies always look at the facts surrounding cases when determining bicycle accident claim payouts.
Your “damages” are the economic and non-economic losses you’ve incurred due to your bicycle accident.
ECONOMIC DAMAGES
Economic damages represent monetary losses caused by your bicycle accident. Specific examples of these damages include:
- Medical expenses, if you spent money on hospital visits, medication, tests, physical therapy, assistive devices, surgery, or any other form of medical treatment due to your injuries.
- Lost wages, if you stayed at home for a while due to your injuries.
- Bicycle repair bills, for property damage due to the accident.
- Diminished earning capacity, if your injuries will affect your ability to find work in the long run.
NON-ECONOMIC DAMAGES
These damages compensate bicycle accident victims in Kansas City for any physical, mental, or emotional pain they’ve endured due to the accident. They include:
- Pain and suffering, if the bike accident led to noticeable psychological or physical pain.
- Disfigurement, if the crash left severe scarring that affects your appearance.
- Impaired quality of life, if you can’t enjoy the same activities as before the accident.
- Disability, if you sustained a catastrophic injury, such as brain damage or spinal cord injury, that limits you from performing certain tasks.
It’s critical to note that these aren’t the only damages available for bicycle accident claims in Kansas City.
WRONGFUL DEATH DAMAGES
Regrettably, severe bike accidents can be fatal. If a bicyclist collides with a truck while on Missouri roads, they could die on the spot.
If a loved one has died in a bicycle accident, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death claim if you are the deceased’s surviving spouse or their lineal family members — parents and children.
Wrongful death damages for bicycle accidents may include lost wages, medical costs, the victim’s conscious pain and suffering, loss of companionship, and funeral costs.
PUNITIVE DAMAGES
This special category of damages isn’t always available for most personal injury claims. Punitive damages are rarely awarded in Missouri.
To receive a punitive award, your bicycle accident attorney near Kansas City must prove that the defendant’s actions were intentional, malicious, or wanton. You must prove that the defendant “acted with a deliberate and flagrant disregard for the safety of others.”
At Brown & Crouppen, our attorneys don’t just look at your current bills and try to get you reimbursed; we try to predict all future costs and losses resulting from the accident and get you the compensation that will cover the entirety of your recovery. Anything less will not make you entirely whole after your bicycle accident in Kansas City.
WHO MAY BE LIABLE IN A BICYCLE ACCIDENT?
To recover damages from a bicycle accident, you — the plaintiff — must prove that someone else was responsible for your accident. Your bicycle accident attorney in Kansas City must prove that another party’s negligence led to the accident.
In legal terms, negligence describes actions or omissions that fall below reasonable standards of care.
The vast majority of claims made by bicyclists in Missouri are against motor vehicle drivers. To prove negligence in a car accident case, you must establish these four elements:
- Duty of care: The driver had a duty to exercise reasonable care.
- Breach: The driver violated that duty.
- Causation: Their actions led to your bicycle accident.
- Damages: You sustained losses such as medical bills and lost wages due to their negligence.
Other road users, including pedestrians, may also be liable for your injuries and damages.
It is also possible that the city government may be liable for your injuries in some cases. The city is responsible for creating safe conditions and properly maintaining those conditions. If improperly maintained roads or signs directly led to your injury, you may be able to sue the city for failing to create a safe space for you to ride your bicycle.
The list of liable parties isn’t limited to motor vehicle drivers and municipalities. Here are some other parties that may be liable for Kansas City bike accidents:
- Bicycle manufacturers
- Uber
- Employers
- Bars and restaurants (dram shop liability)
- Dog owners
- Construction companies
WHEN SHOULD I CONTACT AN INJURY LAWYER?
Too many clients contact us weeks or even months after their injury. By then, they have often lost track of vital records or have already accepted a limited offer from an insurance company.
It is easier to win fair compensation if you contact us as soon as possible after you are in a bicycle accident. Memories are still fresh the day after the accident, and evidence is relatively easy to collect.
When you contact us early, we can also ensure you get the medical treatment you need. Having thorough and accurate medical records will help us best represent your case.
Contacting us as soon as possible can bolster your claim since the insurance company may be looking for reasons to deny your claim. Our reputable bicycle accident law firm will offer sound legal advice, caution you against speaking to insurance adjusters on your own, and explain how comparative negligence laws work in Missouri.
HOW MUCH WILL A BICYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEY COST?
One of our clients’ first questions is how much their case will cost. The answer is simple: We work on contingency and only get paid if we can get you compensation for your case.
Get started with a free consultation with one of our skilled Personal Injury Lawyers today.
WHY DO PEOPLE CHOOSE BROWN & CROUPPEN?
Our clients choose us for several reasons. First and foremost, we get results. We have successfully collected more than one billion dollars in awards for our clients. Individual awards vary based on the details of the case, but we have negotiated multiple settlements worth over a million dollars.
We have a long history of supporting clients and achieving success:
$1+ Billion in financial compensation recovered for our clients
30x higher settlements than what original insurance company offers
At Brown & Crouppen, we care about our clients. Our top priority is helping you recover from a life-changing injury. Our greatest joy is seeing our clients get the financial help they need to fully return to the life they previously enjoyed.
CONTACT OUR BICYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYERS TODAY
GET A FREE CASE EVALUATION TODAY
Bicycle accidents in the Kansas City metro area can take many forms. Riders may get thrown from their bicycles due to poor road conditions, such as potholes or unsecured drains. They may also collide with one another while on Kansas roads.
However, the most dangerous accident that a bicyclist may encounter is with a motor vehicle. An injured victim might be able to pursue a fair bicycle accident claim payout if someone else’s negligence led to their injuries and losses.
If you’ve suffered an injury in a bicycle accident in Kansas City, you need help. You have come to the right place. Our personal injury attorneys at Brown & Crouppen have the knowledge and commitment to help you recover compensation for your injuries.
Remember that time is limited, and you can’t wait forever to file a claim. Don’t wait another day. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
FREE CASE EVALUATION
OUR OFFICE
Brown & Crouppen Law Firm
2345 Grand Boulevard #675 Kansas City, MO 64108 (816) 670-4701
Our Results
- Last Modified:
- March 14, 2024
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