If you or a loved one suffered injuries or losses in a Covington bicycle accident someone else caused, you're likely feeling overwhelmed, scared, and unsure of where to turn. Although dealing with your physical pain is bad enough, you also have mounting medical bills and lost income from missing work due to your injuries. You may also be mourning the loss of a close family member killed in a bicycle accident due to someone else’s negligence or wrongdoing.
Whatever your case, you deserve compensation for your injuries and losses. A Covington bicycle accident lawyer from O'Connor, Acciani & Levy can review your claim at no cost and inform you of the best course of action. We've helped countless cyclists just like you navigate the complex legal process after a crash and secure the resources they need to recover and move forward.
Contact us today for a free consultation and learn how we can help. We know you're hurting, and we're here to lift that burden from your shoulders so you can focus on healing.
Covington KY Bicycle Accident Guide
- What Are Common Causes of Bicycle Crashes in Covington?
- What Are Common Bicycle Accident Injuries?
- How We Can Help You Recover Compensation
- Kentucky Bicycle Accident Statistics
- Covington Bicycle Accident FAQs
- Contact a Covington Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
Why Choose O'Connor, Acciani & Levy to Handle Your Covington Bicycle Accident Claim
When considering legal representation for your Covington bicycle accident claim, you want to choose the right attorney to improve your odds for a successful outcome. Here's why O'Connor, Acciani & Levy stands out as the firm you can trust:
- We're intimately familiar with Kentucky's traffic laws and how they apply to bicyclists. With a law office in Covington, we also have invaluable knowledge of the area’s legal system. This knowledge enables us to build strong cases and resolve them efficiently.
- We’ve represented numerous bicycle accident survivors and victims’ families in Covington and the surrounding areas. Our client testimonials show our commitment to outstanding client service and compassionate representation. You can rely on us for personalized attention and dedicated support throughout the process.
- We have the financial and investigative resources to thoroughly research your case, consult with experts, and stand up to large insurance corporations. We also know the tactics insurance companies might use to reduce or deny your claim and counter them effectively.
- We’ve secured substantial verdicts and settlements for our clients. This includes a $4.9 million settlement we obtained for a college student who suffered severe injuries in a bike accident.
At O'Connor, Acciani & Levy, we don't just look at your immediate medical bills. Our Covington personal injury lawyers consider long-term impacts, including future medical needs, lost earning potential, and pain and suffering. You can trust us to fight hard to help you get the maximum compensation possible.
Additionally, we work on a contingency fee basis. You won’t pay anything upfront and nothing out of pocket for us to handle your Covington bicycle accident claim. We only accept attorney fees if we recover damages for you. This way, you can focus on healing without worrying about legal fees.
Don’t delay in getting top-tier representation for your bicycle crash injuries. You don’t want to miss critical legal deadlines that could prevent you from seeking compensation. Contact O'Connor, Acciani & Levy for a free case evaluation right away.
What Are Common Causes of Bicycle Crashes in Covington?
Bicycle accidents occur in Covington for a variety of reasons, mostly due to a motorist’s negligence or wrongful actions. Some common causes of bike crashes in Covington include:
- Distracted driving
- Failure to yield right-of-way
- Turning in front of a cyclist at an intersection
- Improper lane changes
- Speeding and reckless driving
- Impaired driving
Dooring is also another major cause. It occurs when a car occupant opens their door in the path of a cyclist without checking first to make sure the area is clear.
Aside from driver or car occupant error, other causes of bicycle accidents in Covington include poor road conditions and inadequate bicycle infrastructure.
While these factors contribute to accidents, cyclists often receive unfair blame for causing a crash. Our job is to thoroughly investigate the circumstances of your crash and build a compelling case that shows where the true responsibility lies.
What Are Common Bicycle Accident Injuries?
People often suffer serious injuries in bicycle/car accidents because cyclists lack protection against collisions. Although helmets help reduce the severity of head injuries, a cyclist’s extremities and torso can sustain massive damage if a car hits them.
Some of the most common injuries we see in bicycle accident cases include:
- Severe traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) and other head trauma
- Spinal cord injuries
- Neck and back injuries
- Hip fractures and broken bones
- Severe road rash
- Soft tissue injuries
- Internal injuries
- Facial injuries, dental injuries, and eye injuries
In severe cases, amputations may occur, either from the accident itself or as a necessary medical intervention. In worst-case scenarios, people die because of their bicycle accident injuries.
Along with physical injuries, bicycle accidents also typically cause a lot of psychological trauma. You shouldn’t discount suffering PTSD, anxiety, or depression following the crash, and your attorney can help you recover damages for it.
How We Can Help You Recover Compensation
At O'Connor, Acciani & Levy, we're committed to helping you secure the compensation you need to recover and move forward after a bicycle accident. Here's how we can assist you in pursuing damages:
- We’ll gather all available evidence to build a strong case for you. This includes police reports, witness statements, surveillance footage, and more.
- We work with accident reconstruction specialists, medical professionals, and economic experts to substantiate your claim. We'll also work with your healthcare providers to ensure all your injuries and their long-term impacts are thoroughly documented.
- We’ll carefully calculate your losses and perform a comprehensive damages assessment to ensure we help you get all you need for both current and future expenses.
- We'll handle all communications with insurance companies, advocating assertively on your behalf to secure a fair settlement.
- We’ll prepare your case for trial and take the at-fault party to court if necessary to get the money you need.
- We'll explore all possible avenues for compensation, including potential third-party claims.
Throughout the process, we’ll keep you informed and engaged. We’re here to answer your questions and address your concerns promptly as they arise, and you can rely on us for emotional support during this challenging time. With O'Connor, Acciani & Levy by your side, you can rest assured that your case is in capable hands.
Kentucky Bicycle Accident Statistics
According to the latest crash data from the Kentucky State Police:
- 356 total collisions between vehicles and bicycles occurred in Kentucky during a recent year.
- Of those, 11 cyclists died, and 219 sustained some sort of injury, with 37 sustaining a serious injury.
- Approximately 1% of all traffic collisions in Kentucky involved a pedalcyclist or pedestrian.
- Around 14% of all fatal traffic accidents involved a pedalcyclist or pedestrian.
These statistics underscore the dangers of bicycle accidents in Covington and throughout Kentucky. They also show why you must get an attorney to help you hold the at-fault party accountable and recover the compensation you deserve.
Covington Bicycle Accident FAQs
First, ensure your safety and seek medical attention, even if you feel fine. Call the police to file a report, gather contact information from witnesses, and take photos of the scene if possible. Don't admit fault or discuss the accident with anyone other than the police. Contact a bicycle accident attorney as soon as you're able.
In Kentucky, you have only one year from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit against the at-fault party. If you fail to have an attorney file suit for you before the statute of limitations expires, you will lose your right to seek damages. Some exceptions exist that can extend the deadline to file, but you need to consult an attorney as soon as possible to ensure you don’t miss important legal deadlines.
If the driver who hit you didn’t have auto insurance, we can explore other options. These could include your own uninsured motorists’ coverage, your health insurance, or pursuing the at-fault party’s personal assets.
Yes, you can still pursue a claim even if you weren't wearing a helmet. While helmet use is important for safety, not wearing one doesn't negate the driver's responsibility if they caused the accident. However, the defense might argue that your injuries were worsened by not wearing a helmet, potentially affecting your compensation. We can push back on that argument and fight to get you full compensation.
Kentucky follows a pure comparative fault rule. This means you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault, but your compensation will be reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you're found 20% at fault, you could still recover 80% of your damages.
Pain and suffering damages are subjective and can vary widely. Factors considered include the severity of your injuries, duration of recovery, impact on your daily life, and any long-term effects. We use various methods to calculate these damages, often based on your medical expenses multiplied by a factor reflecting the severity of your injuries.
Most bicycle accident cases settle out of court. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we're fully prepared to take your case to trial to fight for the compensation you deserve.
At O'Connor, Acciani & Levy, we work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we obtain compensation for you. Our fee is typically a percentage of the insurance settlement or court award, so you pay nothing out of pocket. We’ll discuss our fee arrangement with you during a free consultation.
If hazardous road conditions caused your bike crash, you might have a claim against the government entity responsible for maintaining the road. These cases can be complex due to sovereign immunity laws, but we have experience navigating such claims.
The duration of your case depends on various factors, and it’s hard to provide an estimate without reviewing your case. A lot depends on the complexity of your case, the severity of your injuries, and whether the insurance company offers a fair settlement. We’ll work to resolve your case as quickly as possible while still ensuring we get maximum compensation for you.
Contact a Covington Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
If you’re dealing with injuries or losses resulting from a bicycle accident, the Covington personal injury lawyers are here for you. We’ve served injured Tri-State residents for more than 30 years, and we know how to get top dollar for your claim.
Contact us today at (859) 581-8300 for your free consultation. We’ll listen to your story, review your case, and advise you of your rights and options. You can count on us to guide you through the claims process and fight vigorously to maximize your financial recovery.
Don't let valuable time slip away. Kentucky's statute of limitations means you have a limited window to file your claim. The sooner you reach out, the sooner we can start building your case and preserving crucial evidence.
