Bloomington Bicycle Accident Attorneys

Representing Injured Cyclists Throughout Minnesota

As a bicyclist, you have the right to share the road with motor vehicles. Unfortunately, many drivers fail to recognize this and put bicyclists in harm’s way. Every year, many bicyclists are injured or killed in accidents involving motor vehicles. In fact, in 2023, there were 564 traffic crashes involving bicycles in Minnesota, resulting in seven deaths and more than 500 injuries, according to the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.

If you were injured or if your loved one was killed in a bicycle accident caused by a negligent driver, you have the right to seek fair compensation for your medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages. At JD Haas & Associates PLLC, our Bloomington bicycle accident lawyers have extensive experience representing injured cyclists and their families. We know how to take on large auto insurance companies and fight for the maximum compensation you are owed.

Our team is available to help you better understand your rights and options during a free, confidential consultation. Call (952) 234-8039 or contact us online to get started.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident

If you are involved in a bicycle accident, there are several steps you should take to protect your health and your right to recover compensation.

After a bicycle accident in Bloomington, you should:

• Move to a safe location, if possible
• Call 911 and report the accident
• Seek immediate medical attention
• Exchange information with the driver, including their name, phone number, insurance details, and license plate number
• Take pictures of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage
• Write down the names and contact information of any witnesses
• Do not admit fault
• Do not speak to the driver’s insurance company
• Contact our bicycle accident attorneys for a free consultation

Types of Bicycle Accident Injuries

Even when bicyclists wear helmets and other safety gear, they are highly vulnerable to injury in motor vehicle accidents. In fact, because bicyclists do not have the same protections as those inside motor vehicles, they often sustain catastrophic and even fatal injuries in collisions.

Some of the most common types of bicycle accident injuries include:

• Head injuries: Bicyclists who are not wearing helmets or who suffer direct blows to the head may sustain traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Even with a helmet, however, a bicyclist may still sustain a TBI. These injuries can be severe and life-altering.
• Facial injuries: Bicyclists who are not wearing face masks or who are not wearing helmets with face masks may sustain facial lacerations, contusions, and other injuries in accidents.
• Broken bones: When a bicyclist is struck by a motor vehicle, they may be thrown from their bike and sustain broken bones. The impact of the collision may also cause bones to break.
• Soft tissue injuries: Bicyclists may sustain sprains, strains, and other soft tissue injuries when they are thrown from their bike or hit by a motor vehicle.
• Spinal cord injuries: Bicyclists may sustain spinal cord injuries in accidents, resulting in total or partial paralysis.
• Internal injuries: The impact of a bicycle accident can cause internal injuries, including damage to internal organs. In some cases, these injuries are life-threatening.
• Road rash: When a bicyclist is thrown from their bike, their skin may scrape along the pavement, resulting in painful road rash.
• Emotional injuries: Many bicyclists suffer from emotional injuries, such as anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), after a serious accident.

Who Is Liable for a Bicycle Accident?

Liability for a bicycle accident will depend on the specific details of the accident. Generally speaking, however, the at-fault driver’s insurance company will be responsible for compensating you for your injuries and losses.

Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents include:

• Driver negligence: Motorists have a duty to share the road with bicyclists and to exercise reasonable care behind the wheel. When they fail to do so, they can be held liable for any resulting accidents and injuries. Examples of driver negligence that often lead to bicycle accidents include speeding, distracted driving, drunk driving, and failing to yield.
• Poor road conditions: In some cases, a government agency or a private company that is responsible for maintaining safe roadways may be held liable for a bicyclist’s injuries. For example, if a bicyclist hits a large pothole and is thrown from their bike, the government agency in charge of maintaining the road may be liable for the bicyclist’s injuries.
• Defective bicycle or equipment: If a bicycle or a piece of safety equipment (such as a helmet) is defective and a bicyclist is injured as a result, the manufacturer, distributor, or retailer may be liable for the bicyclist’s injuries.

Our bicycle accident lawyers in Bloomington can help you understand who is liable for your accident and injuries. We can also help you take the necessary steps to build a strong case and fight for the maximum compensation you are owed.

What Damages Are Available in a Bicycle Accident Case?

Personal injury lawsuits are designed to compensate victims for the various damages they incurred as a result of the defendant’s negligence.

After a bicycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation for the following:

• Medical expenses: This includes all past and future medical costs related to your accident and injuries, such as emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, and more.
• Lost income: You can recover compensation for any wages and/or benefits you lost due to missed work, as well as any loss of future earnings if your injuries will affect your ability to earn a living.
• Property damage: If your bicycle was damaged or destroyed in the accident, you can seek compensation for the cost of repairs or replacement.
• Pain and suffering: This includes compensation for the physical pain and suffering you experienced as a result of your injuries, as well as the emotional trauma of the accident.
• Loss of enjoyment of life: If your injuries will affect your quality of life, you may be entitled to compensation for your loss of enjoyment of life.
• Disability and disfigurement: If your injuries resulted in a disability or a permanent disfigurement, you can seek compensation for these damages.
• Loss of consortium: If your spouse suffered a loss of companionship and/or an inability to maintain a sexual relationship due to the accident, you can seek compensation for loss of consortium.

Why Choose Our Firm?

At JD Haas & Associates PLLC, we understand the many challenges you are facing. We are here to provide the compassionate support you need during this difficult time. We also have the experience, skill, and resources to effectively represent you in settlement negotiations or at trial.

When you choose our firm, you can expect:

• Compassionate counsel: We are here to provide the support you need. We are always available to answer your questions and address your concerns.
• Aggressive representation: We are not afraid to take on large auto insurance companies and will fight for the maximum compensation you are owed.
• Proven results: We have a long track record of success and have recovered millions of dollars for our clients.
• Contingency fees: You have enough to worry about. That is why we offer our legal services on a contingency fee basis. You do not owe any attorneys’ fees unless/until we recover compensation for you.

Call (952) 234-8039 or contact us online today to get started with a free and confidential case evaluation.