Fort Mitchell Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Have you or a family member been injured while riding your bike in Fort Mitchell, KY? Contact an experienced Fort Mitchell bicycle accident lawyer at HJV Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers to discuss your case today. You may be entitled to significant compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and more. Call us today at (859) 578-4444.
We have decades of combined experience fighting for personal injury victims. Over the years, we’ve worked hard to get fair compensation for injured clients like you. We’ve already recovered hundreds of millions of dollars in settlements and verdicts.
Contact our law firm in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky, to schedule your free consultation today with a Fort Mitchell bicycle accident attorney.
Why Should I Trust HJV Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers to Handle My Fort Mitchell Bicycle Accident Claim?
Even with a helmet, bicyclists are likely to suffer serious injuries when they’re hit by a car. If a careless driver caused the crash, you deserve to be compensated. That’s often easier said than done. Insurance companies complicate matters–and careless drivers don’t typically step up and offer fair compensation.
Our Fort Mitchell personal injury attorneys at HJV Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers stand up to insurance companies on a daily basis. We’ve helped countless clients like you get the money they need and deserve in Fort Mitchell, KY.
Our Fort Mitchell personal injury lawyers can help with your case by:
- Handling the insurance communications and paperwork
- Collecting the evidence you need to prove causation and establish liability
- Hiring experts to strengthen your claim
- Determining how much money your case is really worth
- Rejecting lowball deals and negotiating for a full settlement
- Preparing your case for trial and fighting for what’s fair before a judge and jury
Do you need help recovering compensation after a bike accident? Call our Fort Mitchell bicycle accident lawyers to learn more about the benefits of working with our law firm today.
How Common Are Bicycle Accidents in Kentucky?
Fort Mitchell is a great place to ride a bike. The area is home to at least 29 bike trails with more than 553 miles. Unfortunately, drivers don’t always watch for cyclists when they’re sharing the roads. As the popularity of cycling increases, so does the risk of accidents.
In 2022, 353 car accidents involving bicycles were reported across the state of Kentucky. According to the Kentucky State Police, 232 people were injured, and 14 people were killed in those crashes.
In other words, about 70% of all reported bicycle accidents caused at least one injury or fatality during 2022.
How Much Is My Bicycle Accident Case Worth?
If you were seriously injured, it’s important to discuss your situation with an experienced lawyer before taking the insurance deal.
Most insurance companies don’t hand over a fair settlement without a fight. That’s even more true when serious injuries are involved. As the victim, you’ll have to provide evidence and negotiate to recover fair compensation for your losses.Â
When you hire our lawyers, we’ll evaluate many different factors when arriving at your case value, including:
- Your current financial costs, including medical treatment costs to date
- The severity of your injuries
- The expected duration of your recovery
- Anticipated future needs, including medical costs, rehab, in-home assistance and more
- How the injury has impacted your earnings during recovery
- The impact of any long-term disability on your future earning capacity
- Your physical pain and emotional trauma
- Your quality of life after the accident compared to prior to the injury
Many injury victims will be negotiating an insurance settlement before they’ve fully recovered from their injuries. After all, the deadline for filing a lawsuit is only one year from the date of your injury. That makes it incredibly difficult to know whether a current settlement offer fully reflects your future losses.Â
Our experienced attorneys have access to experts who can help us understand the full impact of the accident and injury. With their help, we’ll have a fair picture of your future financial costs. We also have the tools to help you negotiate for the full value of your non-economic losses.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Bicycle Accident Victims in Fort Mitchell?
Kentucky personal injury laws give victims the right to seek compensation for economic damages and non-economic damages. If someone else caused your injuries, you deserve to be compensated for the full value of your losses.
Some common examples of the types of damages you may have experienced include:
- Current medical bills
- Future medical expenses and rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Nursing care
- CounselingÂ
- In-home modifications or assistance
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- PTSD
- EmbarrassmentÂ
- Anxiety
- DepressionÂ
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium in wrongful death cases
Punitive damages are rare in Kentucky. To recover punitive damages, you must have evidence that the defendant acted intentionally or with reckless disregard for your safety–like in a hit-and-run or drunk driving accident.
How Much Does it Cost to Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Kentucky?
Like most personal injury law firms, HJV Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers operates on a contingency fee basis. We don’t charge an hourly rate. Instead, you’ll agree to pay a set percentage of your settlement or verdict.Â
How Will Kentucky Shared Fault Laws Impact My Case if I’m Being Blamed for a Bicycle Accident?
Bicyclists can, and sometimes do, share blame for traffic accidents.Â
Kentucky is a pure comparative negligence state. That means your compensation will be reduced if the insurance company can prove you share some blame for your injuries. You only lose your right to compensation if you were 100% responsible.
Our Accident Attorneys in Fort Mitchell Will Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Injuries
Bicyclists are vulnerable to suffering virtually any type of injury in a crash. When speeding is a factor, those injuries tend to be the most severe.
At HJV Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers, we’re experienced in handling all types of personal injury cases, including those involving:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Concussions
- Crushing injuries
- Broken bones
- Nerve damage
- Chest injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Facial injuries
- Back injuries
- Organ damage
- Burns and road rash
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
As an injured cyclist, we know you’re probably struggling with painful injuries. It can be tough to think about the legal issues. It’s also extremely important to learn about your legal rights sooner rather than later, so give our Fort Mitchell bicycle accident attorneys a call today.
What Causes Most Bicycle Accidents in Fort Mitchell?
Careless driving is the root cause of most bike accidents in Fort Mitchell. Drivers who are in a hurry or distracted are much more likely to miss bicyclists on the roads.
Overall, some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Fatigued drivers
- Cell phone use
- Failure to yield the right-of-wayÂ
- Speeding
- Lack of dedicated bike lanes and protective infrastructure
- Aggressive driving
- Improper turns
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Improper passing
- Ignoring traffic laws
- Failure to control the vehicle
- Misjudging the distance between the vehicle and the bicycle
- Drunk driving
- Driving under the influence of drugs
- Failure to keep the vehicle under control
According to the Kentucky State Police, about 26% of all bicycle accidents in 2022 were caused by driver inattention. That can mean texting while driving, talking to passengers, or simply thinking about something else.
Unfortunately, cyclists are likely to suffer the most when drivers don’t pay attention. These cases can also be difficult to prove. With a lawyer’s help, you’re much more likely to find strong evidence to support your case.Â
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Car Accident Involving a Bicycle in Kentucky?
After a bike accident, you’ll typically pursue compensation based on negligence theories.
Negligence means:
- The at-fault party had a legal duty of care
- A breach of duty occurred
- The breach of duty directly caused the accident
- You suffered compensable damages
Proof of negligence can take many forms.Â
Our lawyers will investigate and locate any available evidence, such as:
- Video footage from traffic lights, businesses, dash cams, and even doorbells
- Witness statements
- Hard evidence from the accident scene
- Police reports
- Medical records
In complex cases, testimony from experts can also be extremely valuable in establishing what happened.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Bicycle Accident in Kentucky?
The statute of limitations in Kentucky is only one year. Under Kentucky law, you lose your right to seek compensation if you don’t file a lawsuit within one year of the accident.Â
This is a tight deadline. It’ll take some time to investigate and gather evidence to prove your case. Even if you aren’t sure whether you have a case, it never hurts to call our lawyers for a free consultation.
Call a Fort Mitchell Bicycle Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Our team at HJV Car Accident Personal Injury Lawyers is always available to listen to your story. With an experienced Fort Mitchell bicycle accident lawyer in your corner, you’re much more likely to make a full financial recovery. Contact us today to learn more about your options in Fort Mitchell, KY.