Bicycle accidents injure and kill dozens of cyclists each year in Sandusky, OH. Negligent drivers cause many of these accidents. Ohio personal injury laws help cyclists hold drivers and other at-fault parties financially liable for the damages their negligence and wrongful acts cause.
At Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers, our Sandusky bicycle accident lawyers have a combined 181 years of experience. Since 1946, we have fought for the rights of accident victims and their families.
Our personal injury lawyers have over $100 million in settlements and jury verdicts for our clients. They are members of the Multi-Million Dollar Advocates Forum and have top ratings with Super Lawyers and other organizations.
Contact Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers, by calling (419) 625-7770 to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced Sandusky bicycle accident attorneys.
How Our Sandusky Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help if You’ve Been Injured in a Bicycle Accident in Ohio
Sandusky and Erie County are becoming more bicycle-friendly each year. Unfortunately, there is room for improvement to make roads as safe as possible for bicyclists. Even with bicycle lanes and other infrastructure in place, reckless drivers fail to pay attention to cyclists, resulting in catastrophic bicycle accidents.
If a negligent driver causes a bicycle accident, the cyclist can pursue compensation for their losses. However, bicycle accidents can be complicated personal injury cases. You need a Sandusky cyclist attorney to fight for your rights.
For nearly 70 years, our legal team at Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers has worked with clients across Ohio as they recover from injuries that were not their fault. We provide compassionate support and guidance as we aggressively pursue maximum compensation for their injuries and damages.
When you hire our bicycle accident lawyers in Sandusky, you can trust we will:
- Investigate your bicycle accident to determine fault and gather evidence to prove liability
- Review accident reports and analyze evidence gathered at the accident scene
- Verify insurance coverage and file insurance claims
- Work with expert witnesses as necessary to strengthen your claim
- Evaluate your damages to assess how much your case is worth
- Negotiate settlements with insurance companies and other parties
- Take your case to trial and argue before a jury if settlement is not in your best interest
Call Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers, to schedule your free case evaluation with one of our Sandusky personal injury lawyers.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Sandusky, OH
Negligence is often a factor in the cause of bicycle accidents in Ohio. Examples of negligence that could lead to a tragic bicycle accident include:
- Distracted driving
- Reckless driving and speeding
- Driving under the influence
- Failing to follow traffic laws
- Drowsy and fatigued driving
- Following a cyclist or passing a rider too closely
- Failing to yield the right of way
- Driving in a bicycle lane
Drivers, pedestrians, and other parties could be at fault for a bicycle accident in Sandusky, OH. Any party contributing to the cause of a bicycle accident could be liable for damages.
Our Sandusky bicycle accident lawyers thoroughly analyze all evidence in your case to identify each party who could be potentially liable for your damages and losses.
Sandusky Bicycle Accidents Cause Catastrophic Injuries and Deaths
Even when wearing a bicycle helmet and protective gear, a cyclist is at a high risk of injury and death when they are struck by a vehicle. A cyclist can sustain multiple injuries, including life-threatening conditions.
Our Sandusky bicycle accident lawyers handle all types of bicycle accident claims, including cases involving injuries such as:
- Fractured and broken bones
- Traumatic brain injury
- Abrasions and lacerations
- Facial injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Spinal cord and back injuries
- Neck injuries
- Internal organ injury
- Soft tissue injuries
Bicyclists may sustain permanent impairments, including paralysis and loss of limbs. It is crucial to seek immediate medical attention after a bicycle accident. In addition to protecting your health, you need medical records to prove that your injuries were caused by the bicycle accident. Delays in medical care could make it more difficult to recover a fair settlement for your bicycle accident claim.
What Damages Can I Receive for a Bicycle Accident in Sandusky, OH?
Damages in a bicycle accident claim include financial losses, pain, and suffering. The financial losses fall under the category of economic damages. Your suffering and pain are included in non-economic damages.
Examples of damages you may receive for a bicycle accident case include:
- Reimbursement for past medical expenses
- Future medical costs
- Property damage
- Loss of enjoyment of life and quality of life
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Out-of-pocket costs
- Lost wages and benefits
- Impairment and disability
- Mental anguish and emotional distress
- Rehabilitative therapies
- Future loss of earning capacity
- Physical pain
The amount you receive for damages depends on numerous factors. Your injuries and whether you sustain permanent impairments impact the value of damages. The amount of your monetary losses and the strength of the evidence proving fault can also impact how much your case is worth.
Our Sandusky bicycle accident lawyers work to maximize your recovery amount. We work with you, your physicians, and experts to gather evidence proving how much you have lost because of the accident.
Can I Receive Money for Damages if I’m Partially to Blame for Causing My Bicycle Accident in Sandusky, OH?
Bicyclists must follow traffic laws just like drivers. They have a duty to take reasonable care to avoid causing an accident. If a bicyclist causes an accident, they can be liable for damages. However, sometimes parties share liability for damages. When that occurs, Ohio’s comparative fault statute applies.
Ohio has adopted a modified comparative fault standard for dividing damages between parties. It also bars damages if the victim is 51% or more to blame for causing the accident.
Suppose a jury decides a bicyclist is 60% to blame for causing the crash. In that case, the bicyclist would be barred from receiving compensation for damages. The driver could claim up to 40% in damages against the bicyclist.
However, suppose the bicyclist is 10% to blame for the accident. In that case, they can recover 90% of the damages the jury awards.
Be careful when talking with an insurance adjuster after an accident. Insurance companies use contributory fault to avoid paying a fair amount for damages. Some companies may intentionally twist what you say to imply fault. Instead of talking with an adjuster, let our legal team handle the insurance company for you.
How Do You Prove Liability for a Bicycle Accident in Sandusky, OH?
Most bicycle accidents are negligence-based claims. You allege that a party acted negligently, so they are liable for damages. However, the injured party has the burden of proving the legal criteria to establish negligence and liability.
Therefore, if you are injured in a bicycle accident, you must prove the following to hold a driver or other party liable for your damages:
- The party who caused the bicycle accident owed you a duty of care. For example, drivers have a duty of care to follow traffic laws and use reasonable care when operating a motor vehicle.
- The party breached their duty of care through their actions or inactions. For instance, a driver fails to yield the right of way and hits a cyclist.
- The breach of duty was the proximate and direct cause of the bicycle accident.
- You sustained injuries and damages because of the bicycle accident.
The burden of proof in a bicycle accident case is by a preponderance of the evidence. Your evidence must convince a jury that it is more likely than not that the party caused your accident. In other words, there is more than a 50% chance that the driver’s actions caused the crash.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Filing Bicycle Accident Claims in Ohio?
The Ohio statute of limitations is two years for most personal injury cases, including bicycle accidents. You must file a lawsuit within two years of the accident date to pursue a claim in court. Otherwise, a judge can dismiss the lawsuit, even though you have a valid legal claim.
However, exceptions to the statute of limitations could shorten or lengthen the time to file some lawsuits. Therefore, we urge you to call our office today to speak with a Sandusky bicycle accident lawyer about your case.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Erie County, OH?
At Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers, our lawyers accept personal injury cases on a contingency fee basis. With a contingency fee, you do not pay any money upfront to hire our lawyers. Instead, we agree to take a percentage of what we recover for your case as our attorneys’ fees.
A contingency fee benefits you because you do not have to worry about what hiring a Sandusky bicycle accident lawyer costs. If we do not win your case, you do not owe any attorneys’ fees.
Schedule a Free Consultation With Our Sandusky Bicycle Accident Attorneys
You deserve to be compensated fairly for your injuries and losses. At Wisehart Wright Trial Lawyers, we fight to obtain a settlement or jury verdict that gives you the money you need as you continue to recover from a bicycle accident. Call us today to schedule a free case review with a Sandusky bicycle accident lawyer.