Bicycle Accident Attorney Serving Injured Plaintiffs in Iowa
Bicycling is a popular recreational activity in Iowa, and it is also a means of transportation for many Iowans.
However, accidents can happen unexpectedly, and bicyclists can suffer serious and life-threatening injuries.
In many cases, bicycle accidents involve collisions with a motor vehicle, and these crashes frequently occur because the motorist was negligent.
If another party’s careless or reckless actions resulted in your injuries, you deserve to seek financial compensation.
An aggressive accident lawyer at VanDerGinst Law can get started on your claim today.
Getting the Facts About Bike Accidents and Injuries
Bike accidents happen more often than they should, and many could be prevented if motorists and other parties were more careful.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) provides facts and figures about bicycle accidents and injuries:
- deaths account for about 2.2 percent of all motor vehicle fatalities;
- deaths have risen in recent years, with 840 deaths in 2016;
- majority of injuries and fatalities happen in urban areas (about 70 percent), while only about 30 percent of these occur in rural areas;
- majority of bicycle accident deaths occur at non-intersection locations;
- more bike crashes happen during daylight hours (51 percent);
- highest rate of injuries and fatalities occurs between 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. at all times of the year;
- average age of a person injured or killed in a bicycle accident is 46 (which is an increase from an average age of 40 in 2007);
- majority of fatality victims are male (84 percent);
- kids under the age of 15 account for 7 percent of all fatalities; and
- more than 25 percent of bicyclists killed in crashes have a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher (over the legal limit for driving).
Common Injuries in a Bike Crash
Bike accidents can result in many different kinds of injuries, including but not limited to:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), including concussions;
- Broken bones or fractures;
- Spinal cord injuries (SCIs);
- Back and neck injuries;
- Bruising and internal bleeding;
- Cuts, abrasions, and scrapes;
- Internal organ damage; and
- Amputation and disfigurement.
Filing Your Bike Accident Claim On Time in Iowa
In order to be eligible for compensation from a bicycle accident lawsuit, you will need to file your claim within the time window set by the statute of limitations.
Most bicycle accident claims have a two-year statute of limitations. As such, anyone who has been injured typically will need to file a claim within two years from the date of the accident.
For most personal injury lawsuits, including bike accident cases, the clock on the statute of limitations begins “ticking” on the date that the accident and injuries occur.
There may be ways to “toll” the statute in order to have more time, but this is not common.
Accordingly, you should get started on your case with personal injury lawyer as soon as possible.
Contact VanDerGinst Law
Getting hurt in a bicycle crash can be devastating, but a dedicated accident attorney can assist with your claim.
Contact VanDerGinst Law at 1-800-797-5391 to discuss your case with an advocate today.
We have knowledgeable and experienced attorneys who can help guide you through the complexities of your case and help you obtain the financial compensation you deserve.
The consultation is free and there is never a fee unless we win.
The law is tough, being injured is tougher. We’ll make it easier for you.
The information contained on this website is presented by VanDerGinst Law P.C. It is not intended nor should it be construed as professional legal advice. The information is general in nature about the Firm, the scope of services we offer, and our community outreach, it is not legal advice. Please contact us by phone, email, mail, or via this website for inquiries. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. Please contact a personal injury attorney for a consultation regarding your situation. This website is not intended to solicit clients outside the State of Iowa and/or the State of Illinois.