If you’ve been hurt in a bike accident because of someone else’s negligence in St. Cloud, MN, you may be entitled to damages. The St. Cloud bicycle accident lawyers at Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys regularly fight for bike accident victims in Minnesota. Call us at (320) 255-1000 to get justice and fair compensation.
Biking is a great way to get exercise or commute to work, but it can be dangerous. Especially when other drivers aren’t paying attention to bikers on the road.
Our law firm has helped victims of St. Cloud truck accidents, pedestrian incidents, motorcycle claims, slip and fall cases, and more. If you want personalized legal advice from an experienced attorney, contact our St. Cloud office to schedule a free consultation with a St. Cloud bicycle accident attorney.
How Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys Can Help After a Bike Accident in St. Cloud
It’s unfair that you must suffer because someone else wasn’t paying attention. Bikers should have just as much of a right to safely enjoy the roads as anyone else.
Since 1979, Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys has helped clients hold negligent drivers responsible for causing bike accidents. Our St. Cloud personal injury attorneys can recover money from insurance companies and defendants to help cover costs associated with your injuries.
We are members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and were recognized as the Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Minneapolis 2022 by Expertise. In 2021, we received Attorney of the Year for 2021 from Minnesota Lawyer and were named a Top 100 Trial Lawyer by National Trial Lawyers. Our most important recognition comes from our hundreds of satisfied clients, who have given us a 10.0 Avvo Rating.
When you hire us to take on your bike accident case in St. Cloud, Minnesota, we will:
- Determine who is responsible for causing the accident
- Collect evidence to support your case
- Review your medical records to fully understand the extent of your injuries
- File claims and negotiate with insurance companies (if applicable)
- File a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf
- Keep track of court deadlines and paperwork
It is important to remember that each bike accident case is unique. We tailor our approach to the specifics of your case and will do whatever it takes to get you justice. Contact our St. Cloud personal injury lawyers today to schedule your free consultation.
How Common Are Bicycle Accidents in Minnesota?
According to the CDC, 130,000 bicyclists are injured every year. In 2021, 516 people were involved in bicycle accidents in Minnesota. This resulted in 458 injuries and 8 fatalities across the state. Most bicycle accidents happen during the weekday afternoons (between 3-6 pm) when bicyclists are commuting alongside congested traffic and in the summertime.
St. Cloud is not free from bicycle accidents. In one recent year, a bicyclist was killed after he was hit by a car in St. Cloud. Another biker was paralyzed in a bike accident just two days later on the same road. In October 2022, a 15-year-old boy was hospitalized after he was hit by a car making a right-hand turn.
The Most Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
Bicycle accidents can result in serious and permanent injuries. Bicyclists are usually only protected by their helmets, but helmets are no match for a 2,000 – 4,000 pound car.
In our experience, the most common bicycle accident injuries are:
- Skull fractures
- Brain injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Dislocated limbs
- Lung injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Abrasions and lacerations (road rash)
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
These injuries can be life-altering and result in ongoing medical treatment. In some cases, you may never fully recover or may need 24/7 care. Our team can help you get the full compensation that fully addresses your needs.
What Causes Most St. Cloud, MN Bicycle Accidents?
There are two main types of bike crashes: falls and collisions. Most bicycle accidents are caused by:
- Poor weather conditions
- Failing to yield to the right of way
- Distracted driving
- Blind spots
- Uneven road surfaces or poor road maintenance
- Following too close
- Speeding
- Unsafe lane changes
- Drunk driving
Bicyclists in St. Cloud must follow the same rules as cars when biking on the roads, and the same rules as pedestrians when biking on the sidewalk. In some cases, the biker is responsible for causing the accident. However, more often than not, a car is responsible for not paying attention or driving recklessly around bikers.
What Damages Are Available to Bicycle Injury Victims in St. Cloud?
Bicycle injury victims can recover compensatory damages, including special damages and general damages. In some limited cases, you can also recover punitive damages.
Special Damages
Special damages are economic losses that happen after an accident. Special damages are easy to calculate because they are monetary expenses that usually have some sort of documentation. Examples of special damages include:
- Doctors bills
- Emergency medical treatment
- Long-term medical care
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation
- Bike repair or replacement
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Medical devices
You must keep track of your special damages so that you can prove them to the insurance company and in court, if necessary.
General Damages
General damages are non-economic damages. These are harder to calculate because they are not tied to a bill. General damages typically include psychological trauma associated with a bike accident.
Examples of general damages include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- PTSD, anxiety, and depression
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of quality of life
- Disability or disfigurement
The best way to keep track of these damages is to make sure that you seek out therapy and psychological treatment after an accident and to keep a journal. That way you can point to specific examples of how the accident impacted your overall well-being, not just your physical health.
Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are meant to punish the defendant, rather than to compensate the victim. These damages are only available when the defendant acted with malice, oppression, or fraud. This is a higher bar than negligence, and you must prove their intent with clear and convincing evidence. Our team can help you determine whether punitive damages are a possibility in your case.
What’s The Value Of My Bicycle Accident Case?
The value of your bicycle accident case will depend on the specifics of your injuries.
If you are severely or permanently injured, you will probably recover more money. That’s because your injury will require ongoing medical treatment. It may also impact your ability to work the same job or work at all. Furthermore, if you have serious injuries chances are you have experienced a significant psychological impact.
Your lawyer can help you calculate your damages by adding up your economic damages and non-economic damages. If they suspect that punitive damages may apply, they will also factor this into the valuation.
Who Is Responsible For My Injuries After A St. Cloud Bicycle Accident?
St. Cloud applies negligence law when it comes to bike accidents. That means that the negligent party is responsible for your injuries.
Negligence is when someone fails to use reasonable care and causes an accident that hurts someone.
To prove negligence, you must prove that the defendant:
- Owed you a duty of care
- Breached that duty of care
- That breach caused your injuries
- Your damages
You must prove each of these elements by a preponderance of the evidence, or 51%.
Multiple At-fault Parties
Sometimes multiple people contribute to an accident.
Let’s say, for example, that you are biking and are hit by a distracted driver. You fall into the road and then are struck a second time by a speeding driver. In this case, you may be able to recover damages from both of the drivers. This is called joint liability.
Under joint liability, each defendant must pay you damages proportionate to their role in the accident. If they are both equally responsible, they each pay 50%. If one is more responsible than another, then they pay the majority of your damages.
If it turns out the less-responsible defendant can’t afford to pay you, the defendant who bears the majority of the responsibility must also pay the other defendant’s portion. That way you can ensure that you get your full damages.
Can I Still Recover Compensation If I’m Blamed For My Bike Accident?
Yes, you can still recover compensation if you are blamed for a bike accident, though it may not be the full amount.
Minnesota applies a modified comparative fault law. Under this rule, you can still get money for your losses as long as your level of fault is less than the defendant’s. However, the amount that you receive is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 30% responsible for causing the bike accident, you will only receive 70% of the damages.
How Long Do I Have To File a Lawsuit After A Bicycle Accident In Minnesota?
You have limited time to file a personal injury lawsuit after a bike accident in Minnesota. The statute of limitations for bike accidents is complex. You should contact an experienced attorney as soon as possible for help determining the deadlines of your claim.
Schedule A Free Consultation With A St. Cloud Bicycle Accident Lawyer
If you’re ready to talk to a St. Cloud bicycle accident lawyer, contact Hall Law to schedule a free consultation. You shouldn’t have to navigate the legal system alone. We can talk about your legal options and give you our honest opinion of the case.
Visit Our Law Office In St. Cloud, MN
Hall Law Personal Injury Attorneys – St. Cloud
1010 W St Germain St # 320
St Cloud, MN 56301
Phone: (320) 255-1000
Hours: Mon – Fri 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
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