Bike accidents can happen to anyone, and most people understand that they require legal counsel to help them recover compensation. Hiring Cincinnati bicycle accident lawyers can make all the difference in a personal injury claim. After a bike crash, it's crucial to call Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys for a free legal consultation. It's the best way to ensure that victims recover the maximum amount of compensation possible for their personal injury.
Over $1 Billion Recovered
“When you get hurt, you need someone on your side who understands how things work here.”
What Our Clients Have To Say
I have worked with Schuerger Shunnarah twice and they have been very helpful on my personal injury cases. They went above and beyond my expectations and did a great job both times.
- Ashley C.
Schuerger Shunnarah helped me receive a settlement on my case in just months. I was treated with respect and dignity. Thanks to their help, I have been able to get my life back to normal.
- Michael S.
They provided me with excellent service throughout my personal injury case. They were available to answer my questions and helped me understand the process. I am very grateful for them!
- Deshawn B.
How the Cincinnati Bicycle Accident Attorney Can Assist
Bicycle accidents can cause life-threatening or catastrophic injuries. A victim has the right to compensation when they've suffered injuries while riding a bike in Cincinnati because of someone's recklessness.
It's crucial to work with a Cincinnati bicycle accident lawyer who has the experience to recover those losses in full while reducing the stress the victim experiences. Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys has a motto that the legal team uses each time they fight for a client: "We Go to War for You."
Personal injury cases are often like war, and the injured party deserves to receive financial compensation because of the negligent driver and their actions.
Receiving Compensation After the Cincinnati Bicycle Accident
Whenever another party is responsible for a bike accident and injuries, the victim shouldn't be expected to cover those costs or deal with the physical and emotional trauma they endured. They have the right to compensation after a motor vehicle injured them, which includes medical expenses and much more.
Examples of Non-economic Damages and Economic Damages One Can Recover
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The value of the bicycle to purchase another one or receive repairs
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Emotional trauma or distress from being hit by the motor vehicle
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Mental anguish, loss of consortium, and diminished quality of life
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Cost of the medical bills and other post-accident expenses
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Compensation for future medical care one might require
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Embarrassment from disfiguring injuries or skin scarring
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Lost wages and future income
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Damages to the victim's professional or personal reputation
Filing the Insurance Claim with the Insurance Company
Dealing with the claims process after a bike accident can be overwhelming. A negligent driver could deny responsibility, and the insurance company is likely to be dismissive of the injuries. However, once victims understand everything better, they can feel more confident in pursuing a personal injury case.
The bicycle accident lawyer at Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys will:
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Investigate fault and liability for the bicycle accident by interviewing witnesses, gathering witness statements, hiring experts, and securing supporting evidence, such as the police report
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File insurance claims with the at-fault party's insurer if they have coverage
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Go over non-economic and economic damages to account for each loss connected to the bike accident, getting the most compensation from the claim
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Represent the victim's best interests at trial if the insurance settlement offered doesn't meet their needs or the defendant didn't have insurance coverage
Cincinnati Bicycle Laws and Accidents
Ohio doesn't have state-wide bicycle laws for helmet use. However, Cincinnati does have ordinances in place that require bicyclists under 15 years old to wear a bicycle helmet while riding a bike.
Even with the Bicycle Transportation Program in place, efforts to make Cincinnati safer for bicyclists haven't stopped the number of crashes that involve bikers. Shared bike paths, upgrades to bike trails with new stormwater drains, and bicycle lanes aren't enough, and it's crucial to hire an accident lawyer when recovering compensation.
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Proving Liability and Fault for the Bike Accident
Determining liability for the victim's bicycle accident injuries is the most crucial element within the claims process. When dealing with vehicle versus bicycle accidents, it's common for multiple parties to share the fault.
Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys is responsible for showing how a defendant's negligence caused the victim's injuries and damages.
How Can Negligence Cause Bicycle Accidents?
For the Cincinnati claim to succeed, the bicycle accident attorney must prove that negligence happened in that case. Liability is established based on the evidence, so these characteristics should be verified:
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After being struck by a motor vehicle, the driver owed a duty of care to the victim, as they do with passengers, motorists, and pedestrians who are on the roadways
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The vehicle driver had to have engaged in irresponsible conduct that breached the duty of care, including drunk driving, distracted driving, and reckless driving.
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The driver's conduct had to be the cause of the victim's injuries and damages
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Cincinnati personal injury lawyers must demonstrate how the victim's life was affected because of the driver's breach of duty.
How Did the Cincinnati Bicycle Accident Happen?
Generally, bicycle accidents happen when a car strikes a bicyclist. However, bike accidents could occur because of collisions with motor vehicles and pedestrians.
Common causes for bicycle accidents in Cincinnati could include:
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Talking on a smartphone or otherwise using a mobile device while trying to drive
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Sideswiping any bicyclists who travel on the shoulder
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Pulling out from a parked position or driveway without looking both ways
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Opening doors in busy urban areas in front of bicyclists
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Making left or right turns suddenly in front of an oncoming cyclist
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Failing to yield to cyclists when appropriate
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Failing to stop completely at stop signs
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Failing to check blind spots when changing lanes
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Driving under the influence of incapacitating substances, such as drugs or alcohol
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Driving too fast, being aggressive, or antagonizing cyclists
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
A bicycle accident can lead to various injuries that range from cuts and scrapes to catastrophic problems.
Here are a few serious injuries that cyclists might sustain:
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Traumatic brain injuries, neck injuries, head injuries, concussion, soft tissue injuries, internal bleeding, and brain hemorrhage
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Emotional injuries, such as anxiety, nightmares, depression, psychological trauma, and PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder)
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Spinal cord injuries, paralysis, back injuries, compound fractures, broken bones, amputation, and organ damage
What to Do After the Cincinnati Bicycle Accident
The steps one takes after a bicycle accident in Cincinnati can provide important evidence to support a case and increase the victim's chances of recovering full compensation.
After a bicycle accident, one should:
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Contact police officers and emergency responders.
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Take photographs, document the bicycle accident scene, and speak with witnesses.
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Talk to the other involved party to obtain contact and insurance details.
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Receive a healthcare evaluation and appropriate medical treatment if necessary.
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Reach out to a Cincinnati bicycle accident attorney for assistance.
Client Testimonial
They were polite and really cared throughout the entire process and made me feel like my case was important. I would highly recommend them to anyone that didn’t get a fair offer from the insurance company like me!
- Brian D.
Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys Helps Victims of Bicycle Accidents
Victims go through a lot, so it's important for them to have a legal professional handle the case. Instead of spending more time dealing with litigation and the challenges it offers, victims can focus on healing from their injuries and moving forward in life.
When one chooses Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys, one can trust this team to get the most from the claim and reduce stress whenever possible.
FAQ Center
How Long Does One Have to File a Personal Injury Claim?
A bike accident lawsuit should be filed before the statute of limitations expires in Ohio. This is two years after the accident.
However, if one is unsure of the statute of limitations expiration date or believes that it wasn't tolled, it's best to contact Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys for assistance.
When Does the Cincinnati Bicyclist Have the Right of Way?
Bicyclists will have the right of way whenever they cross a street in the crosswalk. Otherwise, they must adhere to all federal, state, and local traffic laws like drivers of motor vehicles.
Can One Get Compensation If They Weren't Wearing Their Helmet?
If the victim wasn't wearing a bicycle helmet at the time of the accident, the other party could argue that they are partially responsible for their injuries. Therefore, the injury settlement might be less because Ohio uses the modified comparative negligence law.
Ohio Revised Code ORC 2315.33 says that if the victim shares fault for their injuries, the settlement could be reduced to reflect their portion of fault, but it cannot exceed 50 percent. This is for minor and serious injuries.
What Can Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys Do For Victims?
Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys will:
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Protect the victim's rights and take the case to court if necessary
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Never charge upfront costs
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Keep victims involved and informed (through phone or online contact form)
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Investigate, find those at fault, and collect evidence
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Interview medical professionals, witnesses, and experts to show how the victim's life was impacted
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Determine the accident's fair and full value (what was lost and deserved)
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Communicate with the insurer to clarify liability and pursue the maximum amount of compensation possible
Where to Turn for Help
A bike accident could lead to lost income, property damage, and medical attention for the victim. Generally, it's wise not to fight the insurance company or at-fault party alone.
Bike accident lawyers can help victims recover compensation against the driver. The at-fault party should pay for hurting a cyclist.
Schuerger Shunnarah Trial Attorneys has many decades of combined legal experience and is ready to fight for victims. The law firm's motto is, "We Go to War for You," which means these lawyers focus on getting the most compensation possible for their clients. Call for a free consultation today!