Can I Sue If A Bicycle Hits My Car?
If you suffered harm after a bicycle hit your car, you can sue. How much you can recover depends on your situation, including the severity of your condition and whether you share any fault for the accident.
You can partner with a lawyer on your injury case. They will manage everything the legal process entails while you focus on your recovery.
What Damage Can Happen in an Accident Involving a Car and a Bicycle?
Typically, a bicyclist is more likely to be injured in a bicycle-on-car collision. That’s because bicyclists are more vulnerable upon impact, and motor vehicles are larger than bicycles.
However, that does not mean that you, as the driver, won’t experience injuries. For example, your car may swerve when you attempt to avoid hitting a bicyclist. As a result, you may run into an inanimate object that causes you to suffer harm.
You could experience a broad range of injuries, from minor bruises to head, back, and neck injuries. In that situation, by filing a lawsuit, you can recover compensation for your medical bills, rehabilitation expenses, and more.
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You Have Legal Options if a Bicycle Hits Your Car
Your specific legal options depend on your situation. If a bicycle struck your car, and you suffered harm, you can sue the at-fault party. However, you can first try to resolve your case through an .
Here, you could pursue compensation for your losses without having to go to court. This requires identifying the liable insurance policy, sending a demand letter, and negotiating for what you need.
Still, you may go to court if the liable insurance company refuses to settle your case. In that instance, you may consider partnering with an injury lawyer. They can guide you through litigation and pursue the best possible outcome.
You Can Partner with a Bicycle Accident Lawyer
As noted, when you partner with an attorney, they have one goal: to recover compensation for your injury-related losses. In seeking a fair resolution, your lawyer will:
- Consult with witnesses. Witnesses could include people who saw the accident happen or expert consultants, such as accident reconstruction specialists.
- Review the accident report. The accident report can reveal some important information about your collision, including who was present and whether an arrest was made.
- Evaluate your losses. Your lawyer will use your receipts and billing statements to determine your financial losses, such as your medical bills. They will evaluate your overall situation to determine what you’re owed for pain and suffering.
- Serve you on a contingency-fee basis. Your lawyer won’t charge any upfront fees or costs to get started on your case. A portion of your settlement or court award will pay for their time and efforts.
Your lawyer is your advocate during this challenging time. As such, they may render case-specific services not listed here.
You Can Recover These Damages Through an Injury Lawsuit
Your situation will dictate what types of damages you can recover through legal action. Financial recovery in your case could account for:
- Medical bills, including hospitalization and ambulance transportation
- Lost income, wages, tips, commissions, and bonuses
- Pain and suffering and inconvenience
- Disability
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Funeral expenses (if you lost a loved one)
- Property damage costs
This is not an exhaustive list of recoverable damages.
You Have a Limited Time To Sue if a Bicycle Hits Your Car
The amount of time you have to file a lawsuit will depend on your state’s statute of limitations. It’s crucial to file your case within the statutory deadline. If you don’t, you could lose the right to seek compensation for your injury-related losses.
Consider the following:
- If you live in Indiana, under IC § 34-11-2-4, you typically have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit.
- If you live in Ohio, under Ohio Revised Code Section 2305.10, you also have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit.
- Finally, there are separate laws in place for personal injury lawsuits and lawsuits involving vehicle accidents in Kentucky. For vehicle accident lawsuits, you generally have two years to file a lawsuit under Ky. Rev. Stat. § 304.39-230.
Getting legal help early not only protects your right to compensation, but it also helps your lawyer gather time-sensitive evidence. For example, if traffic camera footage captured your accident, it’s imperative to collect that information as soon as possible. Otherwise, it could get deleted and be unavailable.
