Independence Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Tirelessly Pursuing Maximum Compensation for Your Injuries

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, whether as a bicyclist, pedestrian, or automobile driver, you can sue for monetary damages. Roadway accidents happen more often than we’d like, and they are particularly dangerous when they involve bicyclists who may operate a little differently on the road. Wrabec Law, P.C. has trial attorneys who have 32 years of combined experience handling accident cases in Missouri, and they are prepared to fight tirelessly for maximum damages on your behalf. Whether you suffer from minor or serious injuries, reach out to our experienced bicycle accident attorneys to discuss the potential damages you may recover.

Missouri’s Bicycle Laws

Generally, bicyclists should operate under the same road rules as motor vehicle drivers. However, there are several statutes pertaining specifically to bicycles, including equipment and operation laws. For instance, bicycles operated 30 minutes after sunset or 30 minutes before sunrise must be equipped with:

• a front-facing lamp that emits a white light visible within 500 feet;
• a rear-facing red reflector;
• reflective lights or material on any part of the bike pedals or cyclist’s shoes visible at 200 feet; and
• reflective lights or material visible on each side of the bicycle or cyclist visible within 300 feet.

Regarding operation laws, cyclists operating slower than the posted speed limit or flow of traffic must ride as near to the right side of the road as possible. Cyclists must ride in the same direction as motor vehicles are required to drive on the road, and they may not ride on the sidewalk.

Motor vehicle operators should also abide by certain rules when driving beside bicycles:

• they may not obstruct a bike lane by parking or otherwise remaining stationary;
• they may not drive in the bike lane unless it is to cross the lane safely;
• if overtaking a bicycle going in the same direction on the road, they must leave a safe distance when passing the cyclist.

Comparative Negligence Affecting the Damage Award

Recall that Missouri operates under comparative negligence rules, which means that the injured person’s damages they can receive will be reduced by their percentage of fault for the accident. That is, if the plaintiff is shown to be at some fault for the crash, they will only be entitled to the total damage award minus the percentage of their fault. As a result, one of the most important things to do in a bicycle accident case is to prove the other party’s fault (liability) for the incident.

Contact Wrabec Law, P.C. for a free consultation to get started. Se habla spañol.