Helping Indiana Bicyclists After Devastating Accidents
Cycling is one of the most financially savvy, environmentally friendly ways to travel. Indiana’s cyclist community continues to flourish with new bike lanes and trails, but with the increase in bicycle users comes an increase in bicycling accidents. Even with the correct safety gear, cyclists can be severely injured in a bicycle accident, especially when a motor vehicle driver is involved. If you or a loved one has suffered from a cycling accident in Indiana, please contact a Ladendorf Fregiato & Bigler attorney today.
Common Reasons Why Bicycle Accidents Occur
Most reasons for an injury-based claim from a bicycle accident fall in two categories – negligent drivers and faulty equipment.
Negligent driving examples include:
- Motorist disregards basic rules of the road
- Motorist is distracted
- Motorist is on the phone/texting
- Motorist is driving under the influence
- Motorist is speeding, making illegal turns, improperly signaling, running a red light
- Motorist opens their car door without looking for approaching cyclists
Examples of faulty equipment include:
- Bicycles and bicycle gear do not conform to safety standards
- Tires are defective
- Product/equipment failed to warn
- Instructions for proper use of equipment were confusing/nonexistent
We Will Fight To Get You The Compensation You Deserve
Bicycle accident injuries are often serious and can have long-term effects on the victim’s physical and mental health; getting treated for these injuries can be a painful process alone. Our Indiana bicycle accident attorneys at Ladendorf Fregiato & Bigler believe that you have suffered enough, and we will stop at nothing to ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for the injuries you’ve sustained.
We Are Ready To Answer Your Questions
A bicycle accident can be immensely devastating. It is normal to have a lot of questions. Some of the most frequent questions we hear from our clients include:
What kind of compensation can I expect to receive after a bicycle accident?
Compensation in an Indianapolis bicycle accident claim can include economic, noneconomic and punitive damages.
Economic damages include things like your medical bills, lost wages and other tangible expenses. Noneconomic damages include things like pain and suffering and reduced quality of life. In rare cases, punitive damages may be awarded for malicious or particularly egregious behavior on the part of the defendant.
What happens if the accident resulted in the death of a loved one? Can I file a claim on their behalf?
In Indiana, the personal representative of the deceased can file what is known as a wrongful death claim when a bicyclist does not survive. Wrongful death claims are designed to compensate the deceased survivors for their losses, such as the value of the deceased’s services or financial support.
In some situations, a survival action may also be possible, and that represents the personal injury claim the deceased may have pursued had they lived.
How is fault established in an Indiana bicycle accident?
To establish fault in an Indiana bicycle accident, it has to be shown that the motorist in question breached their duty to exercise reasonable care and caused the bicyclist’s injuries. That can generally be done through a careful examination of the scene, witness statements, accident reconstruction and other evidence, including the use of dash cams and helmet cams.
What rights do I have as a cyclist under Indianapolis law?
Indiana has a “safe passing law” that says that a bicyclist always has the right to occupy the full lane on the road, even if there is a sidewalk or bike lane available. In addition, motorists are required to give bicyclists three feet of clearance when passing. If they do otherwise, they are in violation of the law, and that is a huge indicator of fault for a wreck.
Contact An Indianapolis Personal Injury Attorney Today
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident due to the negligence of another, please contact us at Ladendorf Fregiato & Bigler at your earliest convenience. Ladendorf Fregiato & Bigler is a small, family-based firm. We pride ourselves on our ability to provide each client with the personal attention they deserve. Coping with the aftermath of a bicycle accident can be physically, emotionally and mentally difficult.
The personal injury lawyers at Ladendorf Fregiato & Bigler are here to help. Contact us today for a free initial consultation: 317-842-5800.