Bozeman Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Trusted Bicycle Accident Attorney In Bozeman

If you’ve been injured or lost a loved one in a bike crash, the first thing you should do is contact a Bozeman bicycle accident lawyer who can help you file a claim against the liable party. Bicycle riders have few protections against impact, but that doesn’t mean their rights have to go equally unprotected. A lawyer can act as an advocate for you and your family, helping you get the compensation you deserve.

Trust Bliven Law Firm, P.C.

With over 30 years of experience working as personal injury attorneys, our team has what it takes to tackle even complex bicycle accident cases where liability is in question. We can gather evidence and construct a narrative of the events that can help to support your claim and take on the insurance companies for you, so that you can improve your odds of success. Let us level the playing field against the large insurance companies that represent motor vehicle drivers.

How Common Are Bicycle Accidents?

According to the most recent report, in one year, bicycle accidents caused 1,392 deaths and 341,774 nonfatal injuries. Women are 47% more likely to die in bike crashes compared to men. Across the country, bike-related deaths peak in the warmer months and are most common in June through October.

Common Types of Bike Accidents

Even if you follow all of the local traffic laws, there is no guarantee that you won’t be hit by a motorist while riding your bike. Some of the most common types of bicycle accidents include:

• Intersection accidents. Many fatal bike crashes occur at busy intersections like North 19th Ave and Main St. Intersections are dangerous because visibility is limited, and it’s often hard for motor vehicle drivers to estimate bicyclists’ distance and speed accurately. You can do your part to prevent these accidents by stopping at all intersections and yielding the right of way to cars when appropriate.
• Left cross crashes. In left-cross crashes, drivers and bicyclists approach intersections from opposite directions while drivers are turning left. They then collide with the cyclist, typically due to a failure to see the person or a misjudgment of the speed at which they are riding.
• Right hook accidents. Bike crashes can also happen on busy roads when cars turn right, cutting cyclists off. These types of accidents can happen both at intersections and on roadways.
• Accidents caused by road hazards. Some bicycle accidents don’t involve motor vehicles. Road hazards can also be dangerous. Potholes, cracks in the road, sewer grates, and railway tracks can all be dangerous to bicyclists. If the road hazard should not have been there, you may be able to file a claim against the City of Bozeman Streets Division or another municipal authority.

Determining Fault in Bicycle Accidents

Montana is a modified comparative negligence state, which means that bicyclists can share the responsibility for accidents with motorists and still collect some compensation. As long as you’re less than 51% at fault for the crash, the other driver could still be liable for paying damages.

Why Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer?

You don’t have to go through the difficult process of holding the liable driver responsible by yourself. You can hire a bicycle accident lawyer to handle all the details of your case while you focus on recovering from your injuries. Your lawyer can leverage their knowledge of bicycle accident laws to help you construct a case and negotiate with the liable party’s insurance company on your behalf.

Attorneys can also provide you with courtroom representation should your case go to trial. However, the cost of going to trial and the extended timeframe for obtaining a judgment mean it’s usually better to try to settle the case outside of court.

FAQs

What Are You Supposed to Do if Someone Hits You on Your Bike in Montana?

If someone hits you on your bike in Montana, you should exchange insurance and contact information with the person, report the accident, and then seek medical care immediately. If it’s safe for you to do so, you may also want to gather evidence at the scene. Take pictures of the accident scene and the area, any damage to your bike or the car, and any injuries you received prior to medical treatment. You can also get contact information for witnesses.

Who Is at Fault if You Hit a Cyclist?

Who is at fault if you hit a cyclist varies depending on the circumstances of the accident. In many cases, it’s the drivers of motor vehicles who are at fault. They often fail to notice bicyclists, who have smaller profiles than cars. However, if the cyclist was not following the rules of the road or was riding recklessly, they may also share a percentage of the blame.

How Much Compensation Can You Get for a Bicycle Accident?

How much compensation you can get for a bicycle accident depends on factors such as the severity of the injuries you received, whether you shared any amount of blame for the accident, and how skilled your attorney is at negotiating with auto insurance companies. You can speak with a Bozeman bicycle accident attorney regarding how much you should expect your claim to be worth.

Is a Cyclist Ever at Fault for Their Accident?

A cyclist can be at fault for their accident if they violate traffic laws by running red lights, riding against traffic, or failing to yield the right of way. Riders are also required to use proper equipment at night and have the same responsibilities as pedestrians when crossing roads at crosswalks. Swerving into traffic or darting suddenly into the street could also make you at fault for an accident as a cyclist.

Your Bozeman Bicycle Accident Lawyer

If you want to make sure you get fairly compensated following a bike crash, hiring a skilled Bozeman bicycle accident lawyer should be your first step once you have been medically stabilized. The team here at Bliven Law Firm, P.C., is here to help. We can review the evidence and interview witnesses to construct a coherent narrative of what happened that can support your claim. Contact us to schedule an initial consultation today.

Bozeman, MT Bicycle Accident Lawyer Reviews