Oklahoma City Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Bicycle-Vehicle Accidents in Oklahoma

Every year, hundreds of bicyclists in Oklahoma are involved in collisions with motor vehicles. Statistics show that the vast majority of these collisions occur on city streets and in urban areas—yet bicycle-vehicle accidents in rural areas, including on highways and country roads, are not unheard of.

If you or your loved one was involved in a bicycle accident, regardless of where the crash occurred, you could be entitled to financial compensation. If the motorist (or another party) was at fault for the collision, our team at Fulmer Sill can help you hold them accountable for the immense physical, emotional, and financial hardships they have caused you to endure. Our Oklahoma City bicycle accident attorneys have extensive experience representing injured cyclists and the families of those involved in fatal accidents throughout the state. We have recovered millions of dollars on behalf of our clients, and we are ready to fight tirelessly for the full, fair compensation you are owed.

Contact us online using our secure submission form, or call (405) 433-7414 to schedule a complimentary consultation with a member of our team.

What Are the Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents?

Negligence is, by far, the most common cause of bicycle accidents. This negligence takes many forms, and both bicyclists and motorists can be negligent, leading to a crash. However, motorists more often bear a larger share of the blame, as they have a greater responsibility to drive carefully and avoid any actions that could cause a collision with a bicyclist. This is because bicyclists are far less protected than the occupants of passenger vehicles and, therefore, are at a much greater risk of being catastrophically injured or killed when involved in an accident with a car, motorcycle, truck, or another vehicle.

Some examples of negligent driving behaviors that frequently lead to bicycle accidents include:

• Driving while distracted
• Using a cellphone or texting while driving
• Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
• Failing to keep a proper lookout for bicyclists
• Speeding
• Aggressive or reckless driving
• Tailgating, or following too closely
• Failing to yield the right of way to a bicyclist
• Running a red light or stop sign
• Driving in a designated bike lane
• Failing to properly share the road with bicyclists
• Driving while fatigued or drowsy
• Failing to leave adequate space when overtaking a bicyclist
• Engaging in road rage

Sometimes, outside factors other than motorist negligence contribute to—or even cause—bicycle accidents. These include poorly maintained roadways, potholes, cracks in the asphalt, defective road construction or design, blind curves, unsafe speed limits, and poor visibility.

Who Is Liable for a Bicycle Accident?

As with most personal injury claims, determining who is liable for your bicycle accident is a critical element of your case. This allows you to pursue compensation from the liable party, either by filing a claim with their insurance company or suing the liable party directly for damages.

The facts of your case—including how the accident occurred, whether any additional factors contributed to the crash, and even your degree of fault (if any) in causing the accident—all determine who is liable for your resulting damages. Often, the motorist involved is responsible, as motorists have a strict duty of care to bicyclists. However, if you are found partially at fault for the crash, you may be unable to file a personal injury claim. Under Oklahoma’s rule of modified comparative negligence, you are unable to recover compensation if you are found to be more than 50 percent at fault for the accident.

For example, if a bicyclist was hit by a speeding motorist, but the bicyclist failed to stop completely at a stop sign, the insurance adjuster may assign the bicyclist 40 percent of the blame. If the bicyclist suffered severe injuries and damages amounting to $100,000, they would only be able to recover up to 60 percent of this amount, or $60,000. In other words, their total recoverable damages would be reduced by 40 percent.

What Compensation Is Available for Victims of Bicycle Accidents?

Sadly, bicyclists tend to suffer catastrophic, life-changing injuries when they are involved in collisions with large, heavy, fast-moving vehicles. Victims are often left facing enormous medical bills, and many are out of work for weeks, months, or even years as a result of their injuries.

At Fulmer Sill, we understand the immense hardships you and your family are facing. Our Oklahoma City bicycle accident lawyers are here to help you fight for every penny you are owed. Our collaborative and aggressive approach has helped us recover millions of dollars in compensation for our clients, including numerous million- and multimillion-dollar settlements and verdicts.

Depending on the specific details of your case, we can help you seek compensation for the following damages:

• Past, current, and future medical expenses
• Past, current, and future lost earnings
• Past, current, and future pain and suffering
• Lost earning capacity and future income
• Diminished enjoyment/quality of life
• Miscellaneous out-of-pocket costs associated with your injuries

If your loved one passed away due to a fatal bicycle accident, we can assist you in filing a wrongful death claim and seeking the justice you and your family deserve.

Reach out to the team at Fulmer Sill today for a free, no-obligation consultation: (405) 433-7414. Hablamos español.