Bicycles have become a common mode of transportation for both recreation and commuting. If you are on your bike and get hit by a negligent driver, you could be entitled to compensation. A bicycle accident lawyer in Maple Grove can help you understand what your case may be worth.
At Postman Law, we are here to fight for you. We have helped our clients recover over $3 billion in damages, and we are committed to bringing that same experience and diligence to you. As you Maple Grove personal injury lawyer, we are ready to advocate for you.
Drivers and Cyclists Can Collide in Several Different Ways
Intersections are a common place for bicycles and vehicles to cross paths. A driver may pull into an intersection without noticing an approaching cyclist or fail to yield when the cyclist has the right of way. Traffic, parked cars, and poor visibility can make it even easier for a driver to overlook a cyclist.
Other crashes happen when a vehicle passes too closely or turns across a cyclist’s path. A driver leaving a driveway or parking lot may look for other cars without checking carefully for bicycles. Even when the cyclist sees the vehicle, there may not be enough time or space to get out of the way.
Parked cars can also become a hazard when they block a driver’s view past an intersection, causing a driver to pull out before it is safe. Our team at Postman Law can help you navigate your personal injury case in Minnesota so you can recover the maximum damages available for the pain you have suffered.
For a free legal consultation with a bicycle accident lawyer serving Maple Grove, call 844-767-8626
Some Bicycle Crashes Are Caused by Driver Negligence
Drivers and cyclists often have to share the same roads. When a driver is distracted, impatient, or simply fails to look for a bicycle, the person riding alongside them can pay the price. Driver negligence may involve:
- Texting or another form of distracted driving
- Failing to yield when required
- Speeding or following a cyclist too closely
- Passing without leaving enough room
- Turning without checking for a bicycle
- Running a red light or stop sign
Fault depends on more than the fact that a car and bicycle collided. Traffic signals, right-of-way rules, the movements of both people, and what happened in the seconds before impact all matter. Postman Law can review those details rather than relying only on one person’s description of the crash.
Maple Grove Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me 844-767-8626
Bicycle Riders Can Suffer Severe Injuries Without a High-Speed Impact
It does not take highway speeds to badly injure someone on a bicycle. When a vehicle hits a cyclist, the rider’s body may absorb much of the initial force. Helmets offer important protection, but they cannot prevent every head or brain injury.
There is often a second impact as well. A cyclist may be thrown onto the pavement, into another vehicle, or against a curb. Broken arms and legs, shoulder and knee injuries, spinal injuries, concussions, and severe road rash can result.
Recovery can last much longer than expected. Some riders need surgery followed by months of physical therapy, while others are left with chronic pain or limited movement. An injury that makes it difficult to walk, drive, work, or care for family members can affect nearly every part of your normal routine.
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Evidence From the Bicycle and Accident Scene Can Tell an Important Story
A damaged bicycle may look like something that should be repaired or thrown away as soon as possible. After a serious collision, however, the damage itself can provide information about the direction and force of the impact. Other physical evidence can help fill in details that the cyclist may not remember. Important evidence can include:
- The bicycle, helmet, and damaged clothing
- Damage to the vehicle that struck the rider
- Photographs and video from the scene
- Dashcam or nearby surveillance footage
- Witness statements and police records
- GPS, cycling computer, or fitness app data when available
Try not to repair or discard the bicycle, helmet, or other damaged equipment until it has been thoroughly documented. The same is true for electronic ride data. Saving that information early and providing it to your bicycle accident attorney in Maple Grove can prevent useful evidence from being lost.
What to Do After a Maple Grove Bicycle Accident
The minutes after a bicycle crash can be chaotic. If you are physically able to do so, a few basic steps can help protect both your health and the information you may need later. After a collision:
- Get to a safe location and call 911
- Seek medical attention for your injuries
- Exchange contact and insurance information with the driver
- Get names and contact information from witnesses
- Photograph the scene, vehicle, bicycle, and visible injuries
- Keep your bicycle, helmet, medical records, and other accident-related evidence
- Contact a lawyer with Postman Law
Do not assume you are fine simply because you were able to stand up after the crash. Adrenaline can make pain less noticeable, and some symptoms take time to develop. Follow up with a medical provider if you have pain, dizziness, stiffness, numbness, or other symptoms after leaving the scene.
You Should Be Careful When Speaking With the Driver’s Insurance Company
An insurance adjuster may contact you soon after the accident. They are often looking for ways to place blame on you. In Minnesota, the modified comparative negligence rule states that as long as you are 50% or less at fault, you may be able to recover damages; however, it is reduced by the percentage of fault you are responsible for (Minnesota Statute 604.01).
Avoid guessing about things you do not know. You may not know exactly how fast the vehicle was traveling or how far away it was when the driver began turning. A guess made shortly after the accident can become a problem if later evidence shows something different.
The same caution applies to settlement offers. An early offer may arrive before doctors know whether you will need surgery, additional therapy, or other treatment. Once a claim is settled, there is usually no opportunity to ask for additional money because recovery took longer than expected.
A Maple Grove Bicycle Accident Lawyer Can Handle the Insurance and Legal Process
At Postman Law, our team is dedicated to fighting for the compensation you deserve. Contact our Maple Grove bicycle accident attorney today to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation so we can handle the legal tasks while you focus on what’s more important: your recovery.