Putting your life back together after a bicycle accident isn’t easy. Car-on-bike collisions tend to cause severe, life-threatening injuries since bicycles offer almost no protection and bike helmets only reduce the odds of severe head injury.
If you were hit by a car while riding a bike in Utah, you face an uphill battle in terms of recovery. You need our Utah bicycle accident lawyer, we can take the legal burden off of your shoulders so that you can focus on moving forward, especially on your recovery.
At Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers, our Utah Bicycle accident attorney has decades of experience helping injured cyclists get the compensation they need.
We don’t let an insurance company lowball our clients, and you can trust our Utah bicycle accident attorneys to fight for the best possible case outcome. Contact us today at (801) 845-0440 to schedule a free consultation!
How Can Parker & McConkie’s Utah Bicycle Accident Lawyer Assist You With Your Bicycle Accident Claim?
Parker & McConkie Personal Injury Lawyers, a Utah Bicycle Accident Lawyer, can help you with your bicycle accident claim. The following are the ways we use to help our injured clients:
• We will discuss your legal options.
• We will make a recommendation for a course of action.
• We will assist you throughout the process.
• We will do whatever it takes to get a favorable outcome for your case.
• We provide a free consultation.
• We work on a contingent fee agreement, so you pay nothing unless we win.
• We will help you obtain medical attention.
• We will negotiate with insurance companies.
Parker & McConkie strives hard to remove as much stress from your life as possible so you can focus solely on healing. We will not stop until you have been fairly compensated for your damages.
Do I Need a Utah Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
Most cyclists in Utah attempt to settle claims with insurance companies following an accident, and the results aren’t always favorable to their side. That is why multiple insurance adjusters are present to do a task to lower the value of your claim as much as possible. It would be best if you weren’t in such a position.
Parker & McConkie’s bicycle accident attorneys are well-versed in the unscrupulous practices insurance adjusters use to undervalue cycling accident cases. We think that no biker should have to pay the price for someone else’s carelessness.
Utah Bicycle Laws: An Overview
When bicycling in Utah, it’s essential to understand your legal rights and responsibilities. Here’s an overview of Utah’s Bicycle Laws:
A. General Rights and Responsibilities
- Cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities as drivers of motor vehicles.
- Bicyclists must ride moderately cautiously to avoid colliding with pedestrians or bicyclists.
B. Sidewalks, Paths, Trails, and Crosswalks: Rights and Duties
- Any bicycle under 18 has an absolute right to ride alongside a sidewalk, path, trail, or even a crosswalk. However, cyclists beyond 18 may be restricted by a traffic device or legislation.
- Should ride at a fair speed under any circumstances.
- Give pedestrians the right of way.
- Unless specifically directed to do so, they are not required to use bike lanes or trails.
- Otherwise, whether using a sidewalk, path, trail, or crosswalk, you have all the rights and responsibilities of a pedestrian.
C. Restrictions
- Transporting more passengers than the bicycle is equipped to carry.
- Racing on public roads is not allowed.
- Carrying something that prevents the bicyclist from utilizing both hands on the handlebars.
- Failing to keep at least one hand on the handlebars at all times.
- Riding a bicycle with a siren or whistle.
D. Where Should I Ride?
- Bicyclists must travel in the traffic’s direction.
- Bicyclists riding slower than traffic speed must ride as close to the right-hand edge of the road as possible unless:
- –passing a car traveling in the same direction;
- –getting ready to make a left turn;
- –passing straight through a junction with a right-turn-only lane.
- –when it is reasonably required to avoid conditions that make riding risky to the far right, such as:
- —other vehicles, humans, and animals, whether fixed or moving;
- —surface dangers; or
- —a too narrow lane for a bicycle and a vehicle to pass safely side by side.
Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Utah
Almost 90% of bicyclists hit by cars in Utah were injured in the past years. Vehicles failing to provide the right of way to bicyclists is the most common cause of bicycle accidents. As per California Highway Patrol, these are the common causes of bicycle incidents in Utah:
- Bicycle rider using the wrong side of the road;
- Auto driver making unsafe left or right turns;
- A bicyclist riding from a driveway or sidewalk into the path of a car;
- Auto driver opening the door as bicycle passes;
- Bicycle rider weaving, leaving the edge of road or bike lane;
- Bicyclist making an unsafe left turn;
- Bicycle without headlight or reflectors;
- Distracted driving;
- Disregarding traffic signals and signs.
The majority of bicycle accidents happen at night. Fortunately, most incidents occur when cars move at slower speeds, between 1 and 9 mph; nevertheless, around 40% of bicycle accidents occur when motor vehicles travel between 10 and 39 mph. A bicyclist can receive life-changing injuries or perhaps die due to crashes at very high speeds.
What Are the Most Common Injuries in a Utah Bicycle Accident?
Some common bike accident injuries can overshadow the fun and satisfaction of riding a bike. Identifying and avoiding these injuries can significantly help riders who want to enjoy their sport as much as they enjoy moving freely and unhindered on the bike.
Common injuries caused by bicycle accidents include:
• Road rash
• Clavicle fracture
• Arm and leg fractures
• Brain injury
• Spinal cord injury
• Fatal injuries
What Kinds of Compensation Are Available to Utah Bicycle Accident Victims?
You might have reasons to file an insurance claim against the at-fault party. Parker & McConkie’s Utah bicycle accident lawyer is prepared to pursue a full financial recovery. And depending on your specific situation, we can assist you throughout the entire process of receiving money.
You may be entitled to recover the following damages:
- Medical bills
- Future medical expenses
- Lost income
- Loss of earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment in life
Our dedicated bicycle accident lawyers understand what insurance companies look for and can develop a solid case backed up by proof. Allow us to handle your claim, and we’ll do everything we can to obtain you the maximum monetary compensation.
Proving Liability in a Utah Bicycle Accident
In most cases, liability for bicycle accident injuries is determined by whether another party’s fault caused the incident. However, any negligence on the cyclist is also considered, as both bike riders and car drivers in Utah must follow the road rules. To recover damages, you’ll need evidence that proves your claim, not just your word.
Turn to Parker & McConkie’s bicycle accident lawyer, and you can put any worries about liability to rest. For over 30 years now, our bicycle accident attorneys represent injured cyclists. We understand what it takes to prove negligence and liability. Our bicycle accident lawyers have the resources to investigate your car-on-bike accidents and obtain the necessary evidence to fully substantiate your claim. Our legal team will help you hold the at-fault party accountable for all of your losses.
What You Should Do After Your Utah Bicycle Accident
If you are involved in a bicycle accident, you should take the following actions:
- Contact the police immediately;
- Document the bicycle accident scene;
- Seek medical attention ASAP;
- Avoid discussing your Utah bike accident with the at-fault’s insurance company;
- Contact a Utah personal injury lawyer.
Reacting swiftly and accurately can expedite and simplify your claim, allowing you to obtain the desired outcome. The sooner you hire a Utah Bicycle injury lawyer, the sooner you’ll have an experienced team guiding you through each procedure stage.
Advice on How to Avoid Bicycle Crashes and Injuries in Utah
As a bicyclist, remember to follow all traffic signals and signs. Never assume that someone driving a vehicle sees you or is even paying attention. Cell phone use while driving continues to be a major problem, especially for bicyclists, pedestrians, and motorcyclists, which are no match for a car or truck.
Yes, you as a bicyclist have all the same rights to the road as a motor vehicle, but you still lose when a car hits you. Even though you aren’t at fault for the accident, you are the one that must deal with the injuries that you will almost certainly receive.
While there are many laws that regulate bicyclists, there are two rules that seem to come up more regularly. First, when traveling on the roadway, make sure you are in the lane with traffic, i.e., on the right-hand lane. You want to stay over as far as practicable. Second, when riding on a sidewalk, ride at safe speeds and yield to pedestrians. It goes without saying, then, that you are allowed to ride your bicycle on a sidewalk, except in some small, designated areas.
Bicycle Accident Statistics in Utah
Cycling has seen some fascinating shifts over the previous few decades. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), cycling has climbed in the United States over the previous ten years, both in absolute numbers and as a percentage of the population. On the other hand, bicycles are only utilized around 1% of the time as a mode of transportation.
A. Fatal Bicycle Accidents in Utah
In 2016, five bikers were killed on the road in Utah. They are included in the lethal statistics that focus on the number of individuals killed while commuting. According to the Department of Public Safety Highway Safety Office, the state had 281 fatal accidents last year, with bicycle-related deaths accounting for 1.8 percent of the total.
B. Yearly Statistics in Utah for Bicycle Accidents
2014: 256
2015: 278
2016: 281
2020: 600
This figure represents two percent of all fatal crashes in the state. In 2015, incidents between two motor vehicles resulted in 114 fatalities.
Speak with an Experienced Utah Bike Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
When you hire a Utah bike accident attorney from Parker and McConkie, you are hiring a team of experienced bicycle accident attorneys whose credentials ensure that you will receive the best legal counsel possible, regardless of the type of bicycle crash you may have experienced.
Parker and McConkie’s Utah bicycle accident lawyer is familiar with the court and knows how to apply the laws, rules, and processes to achieve the best possible results for our clients.
We fight aggressively for our clients, but we never lose sight of the fact that our primary purpose is to secure the best results for them, whether that means waging procedural fights or representing them in front of a court or jury. We put forth much effort on behalf of our customers, outlining their alternatives, and keeping them informed about the progress of their cases.
Our Utah law office gives free consultation to our clients. In other words, we only charge legal fees if and when we obtain compensation. As a result, we have a solid motivation to win your case and obtain the highest amount of compensation for you.
