At Hasbrook & Hasbrook Personal Injury Lawyers, our Tulsa bicycle accident lawyer stands ready to protect your rights after a bicycle accident. Tulsa sees dozens of bicycle accidents each year, with many causing serious injuries to cyclists. These collisions between bicycles and motor vehicles often leave bicyclists facing medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We know that bicycle accidents can change your life in an instant.
Our team understands Oklahoma law and fights hard to get you the compensation you deserve. We handle every aspect of your injury claims while you focus on recovery. Whether your accident happened in downtown areas, bike lanes, or school zones, we provide the legal assistance you need.
Our Tulsa Bicycle Accident Lawyer Fights for Your Rights
We dedicate ourselves to protecting injured cyclists across Tulsa and Tulsa County. Our personal injury lawyer knows Oklahoma traffic laws and the three-foot passing rule that drivers must follow. We understand the Oklahoma Vehicle Code and how it protects bicyclists on our roads. Insurance companies often try to reduce payouts or deny claims entirely.
We stand between you and these insurance carriers to fight for maximum compensation. Our Tulsa bicycle accident attorney has years of experience handling bicycle-car collisions. We investigate every detail of your case to build the strongest claim possible. You deserve full compensation for your injuries, and we work hard to get it.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents happen for many reasons throughout Tulsa’s urban areas and city walkways. Driver negligence plays a major role in most collisions between motorists and bicyclists. Distracted drivers who use phones or fail to check blind spots often strike cyclists. Some drivers ignore traffic rules or violate the three-foot passing rule when passing bicycles.
Poor road conditions also cause many bike accidents. Potholes, road debris, and damaged road signs create hazards for cyclists. Lack of protected bike lanes forces bicyclists to share roads with vehicles. Failure to maintain crosswalks and bike lanes puts cyclists at risk in parks and transportation areas.
Understanding Liability in Bicycle Accidents
Finding out who is at fault in a bicycle collision requires careful investigation. Drivers can be held responsible for breaking traffic laws, distracted driving, or aggressive driver behavior. The city or county may be liable for poor road maintenance that causes accidents. Vehicle manufacturers face liability when defective parts lead to crashes.
Oklahoma follows comparative fault rules in personal injury cases. This means you can still recover damages even if you share some blame for the accident. Your compensation gets reduced by your percentage of fault. We work with accident reconstruction experts to prove the other party’s negligence and protect your rights.
Types of Bicycle Accident Injuries We Handle
Bicycle accidents cause a wide range of injuries from minor scrapes to life-threatening trauma. The lack of protection for bicyclists makes even low-speed collisions dangerous. We handle injury claims for all types of bicycle accident injuries. Every injury deserves legal attention and proper compensation, no matter how minor it may seem at first.
Severe and Catastrophic Injuries
Serious bicycle accidents often result in catastrophic injuries that require extensive medical care. These critical injuries can affect your ability to work and enjoy life. The long-term impact means you need expert legal representation to secure full compensation. Our bicycle accidents attorney knows how to value these complex cases.
Severe injuries we handle include:
- Traumatic brain injuries: Concussions and brain damage that cause lasting problems with thinking and memory
- Head injuries: Skull fractures and bleeding that require emergency medical attention
- Spinal injuries: Damage to the spine causing paralysis or permanent disability
- Pelvic fractures: Broken hip and pelvic bones that need surgery and long recovery
- Internal bleeding: Hidden injuries to organs that can be life-threatening
Minor Injuries and Soft Tissue Damage
Not all bicycle accident injuries appear severe right away. Minor injuries still cause pain and need medical treatment. These injuries can keep you from work and normal activities for weeks or months. You deserve compensation even for injuries that seem small at first.
Common minor injuries include:
- Road rash: Skin abrasions from sliding on pavement that may become infected
- Sprains and strains: Twisted joints and pulled muscles that cause pain and swelling
- Contusions: Deep bruising that indicates soft tissue damage
- Minor fractures: Small bone breaks in hands, wrists, or feet
- Cuts and lacerations: Wounds that need stitches and may leave scars
Why Choose Hasbrook & Hasbrook for Your Bicycle Accident Case
Our firm brings decades of experience handling bicycle accident cases in Tulsa. We focus on each client’s unique needs and circumstances. Our proven results show we get compensation for cycling accident victims. We know Tulsa’s roads, parks, and the challenges bicyclists face in our community. Past clients recommend us because we treat them with respect and deliver results.
Personalized Legal Approach
We create custom strategies for each bicycle accident case we handle. No two accidents are exactly alike, so we tailor our approach to your situation. Our team conducts thorough investigations using accident reconstructionists and other experts. We gather accident photos, surveillance footage, and witness accounts to build your case.
We review medical records and consult with medical professionals to understand your injuries fully. Our personal injury attorney manages every detail of your case from start to finish. This personalized attention ensures nothing gets overlooked in your pursuit of justice.
Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident
Taking the right actions after a bike accident protects both your health and legal rights. What you do at the accident scene and in the following days matters greatly. These steps help preserve evidence and strengthen your injury claim. We guide clients through this process to avoid common mistakes.
First, seek medical attention right away even if you feel okay. Some injuries like concussions and internal bleeding don’t show symptoms immediately. Call police officers to the accident scene to create an official accident report. Get insurance information from the driver involved in the collision. Take accident photos of vehicle damage, road conditions, and your injuries if possible.
Gathering Evidence and Documentation
Strong evidence makes or breaks bicycle accident cases. Document everything related to your accident and injuries. Take photos of the accident scene, your bicycle, the vehicle, and any road hazards. Look for surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras.
Get contact information from any witnesses who saw the collision happen. Witness statements can prove what really happened when driver behavior is disputed. Keep all medical records and bills related to your treatment. Save receipts for damaged clothing, your helmet, and bicycle repairs. This documentation supports your claim for economic damages.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
Many bicycle accident victims hurt their cases without meaning to. Knowing what not to do protects your right to full compensation. Insurance companies look for reasons to deny or reduce your claim. Following these guidelines keeps your case strong.
Mistakes to avoid include:
- Admitting fault: Never say you caused the accident, even if you think you made a mistake
- Talking to insurance adjusters: Let your lawyer handle all insurance negotiations and communications
- Posting on social media: Insurance companies check your posts for evidence against your claim
- Delaying medical care: Waiting to see a doctor suggests your injuries aren’t serious
- Accepting quick settlements: First offers are usually far less than your case is worth
Understanding Bicycle Accident Claims in Oklahoma
Oklahoma law protects bicyclists injured by negligent drivers and dangerous road conditions. Personal injury lawsuits seek compensation for all losses caused by the accident. Understanding how the legal process works helps you know what to expect. We explain your rights and guide you through each step of your claim.
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Oklahoma is two years from the accident date. Missing this deadline means losing your right to seek compensation. Start your case early to preserve evidence and meet all legal deadlines. Damages in bicycle accidents include medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering. We also pursue compensation for future medical care and permanent disability. In cases of extreme negligence, we may seek punitive damages to punish reckless behavior.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies protect their profits by paying as little as possible on claims. They use many tactics to reduce what they owe you. Adjusters may seem friendly but work against your interests. They might claim you caused the accident or exaggerate your role in causing it.
Insurance carriers often make quick, low settlement offers before you know the full extent of your injuries. They hope you’ll accept less than you deserve. Never agree to an insurance settlement without talking to a lawyer first. We handle all insurance negotiations to protect you from these tactics. Our experience negotiating claims means we know when offers are too low and when to push harder.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I do immediately after a bicycle accident?
Seek medical care, call the police, document the scene with photos, get witness information, and contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
How long do I have to file a claim in Oklahoma?
Personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the accident date under Oklahoma’s statute of limitations for bicycle accidents.
Can I sue the driver even if I was partially at fault?
Yes, Oklahoma uses comparative fault rules, allowing you to recover damages even if you share some blame for the bicycle collision.
Should I accept the insurance company’s first offer?
Never accept without consulting an attorney. First offers are typically much lower than your case’s true value and full cost of injuries.
What damages can I recover from a bicycle accident?
You can recover medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, cost of physical therapy, and compensation for permanent disability.
How long does a bicycle accident case take?
Cases vary based on complexity and injury severity. Simple cases may settle in months while complex ones can take a year or longer.
Contact Hasbrook & Hasbrook Personal Injury Lawyers for a Free Case Evaluation
Don’t face insurance companies alone after a bicycle accident in Tulsa or Tulsa County. At Hasbrook & Hasbrook Personal Injury Lawyers, we offer a free consultation to review your case. Our personal injury lawyer will explain your rights and legal options. We charge no upfront fees and only get paid when we win your case.
Call us today or fill out our online form to schedule your free case evaluation. We respond quickly and treat every client with respect and compassion. Our team has the experience and knowledge to handle complex bicycle accident cases from investigation through trial if needed. Let us fight for the compensation you deserve while you focus on healing and getting your life back. Contact our Tulsa bicycle accident attorney now to protect your rights and start your journey toward justice.
