Blytheville Bicycle Accident Lawyer

You can ride your bicycle in Blytheville, AR, and get into an accident. If a negligent motorist was responsible for your accident, you can hold this driver accountable. To do so, you can hire a Blytheville personal injury lawyer.

At Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC, we want you to get the most compensation possible after your bike crash. A Blytheville bicycle accident lawyer can help you secure a fair settlement. For more information, please get in touch with us.

Why Bike Accidents Happen

In the United States, bike trips make up 1% of all trips, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Along with this, CDC points out that over 130,000 cyclists suffer injuries every year. Cyclists can get hurt in accidents that occur for many reasons, including:

Distracted Driving 

It is common for motorists to drive while distracted. When a motorist takes their eyes away from the road, they can crash into a cyclist. If this occurs, the motorist can be held responsible for the crash. 

Speeding 

A driver can travel faster than the posted speed limit in the hopes of reaching their final destination as quickly as possible. This driver likely does not want to harm anyone. Regardless, they may not be able to stop quickly enough to avoid a collision with a cyclist. 

Turning without Looking  

If a driver is at a stop sign or red light and is getting ready to turn, they need to look both ways. Otherwise, they may miss a cyclist who is traveling nearby. In the worst-case scenario, the driver will not see a cyclist, make their turn, and crash into the rider.

Unsafe Lane Changes

It is a driver’s responsibility to account for cyclists. As a motorist moves in and out of lanes, a cyclist may be in their blind spot or traveling in an adjacent bicycle lane. In either of these scenarios, the driver can crash their vehicle into the cyclist, and the rider can suffer a minor or catastrophic injury.

Intoxicated Driving 

When a driver gets behind the wheel while they are intoxicated, they put themselves and others in danger. A drunk driver can slam their vehicle into a cyclist. In this situation, the driver can face civil and criminal penalties.

The team at Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC can help you pursue compensation from a motorist who caused your bike accident for any of these reasons and many others. A Blytheville bicycle accident attorney will give your case the attention that it deserves. To learn more, please reach out to us. 

When to File a Bike Crash Lawsuit

There is a three-year statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Arkansas, per A.C.A. § 16-56-105. This means you have up to three years from the date you suffer your bike crash injury to sue anyone responsible for it. If you choose not to file a claim during this period, you lose the right to do so at a later time. 

It is beneficial to meet with a bicycle accident lawyer in Blytheville in the days after you suffer your injury. You can share any legal questions you have with the attorney. Meanwhile, your lawyer can answer frequently asked questions about bike collision claims and other legal topics.  

If you move forward with a bike collision lawsuit, your attorney will help you calculate your damages. You can request economic compensation based on your medical bills and other quantifiable losses and non-economic damages for pain, suffering, and other subjective losses. There is no limit on the economic and non-economic damages that you can request, and your attorney will encourage you to pursue the maximum amount of compensation. 

What It Takes to Get Compensation in a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit 

You can submit a claim for compensation based on your bicycle accident, but you still have to build a body of evidence to support your request for damages. There are many pieces of evidence that you can use in a bike crash case. These include:

• Witness Statements: These statements come from people who saw your accident happen and can help you prove to a judge or jury that a negligent motorist caused the incident. 
• Videos: You can capture videos on your smartphone from the accident scene or use surveillance footage to show a judge or jury what happened during your crash. 
• Police Report: If you call 911 at the time of your accident, police officers will arrive, and they will put together a police report that you can use as evidence. 

A bicycle accident attorney in Blytheville can evaluate the evidence that you have collected thus far. They can also work with you to find additional pieces of evidence. With your attorney’s help, you can present a compelling argument that leads a judge or jury to award you 100% of the damages that you request. 

How You Can Settle Your Bicycle Accident Claim Out of Court

Your lawyer wants you to achieve your desired case results. They work diligently to help you prepare for your trial. Leading up to your trial date, they can go over any settlement offers with you, too. 

The defendant in your case may be ready to settle if they are fully responsible for your bike crash. They can propose a settlement at any point prior to your trial. Your lawyer will notify you if the defendant offers a settlement, and you can review the proposal with your attorney and decide how to proceed with it.

Ultimately, a settlement can be more trouble than it is actually worth if it falls well short of the compensation you want. If you receive a lowball settlement, you can decline the proposal. Next, you and your lawyer can keep exploring ways to strengthen your case. 

Hire a Blytheville Bike Accident Lawyer

Gatti, Keltner, Bienvenu & Montesi, PLC is a Blytheville personal injury law firm that serves our clients in any way we can. Our Blytheville bike accident attorney is available to discuss your case and file your claim. To find out more or schedule a case consultation, please contact us today.