Bicycle Accident Attorney in Georgetown, KY

What’s a bike accident lawsuit worth?

Unlike some states, Kentucky does not limit the amount of damages a plaintiff can be awarded in a personal injury case. Rather, the law takes into consideration the overall injuries sustained to determine compensation. 

It’s essential to work with a law office with experience representing bike accidents to determine what your case may be worth, based on your case’s specific variables. 

To determine this amount, the law takes into account physical, mental, financial, and emotional injuries. 

Common Physical Injuries After a Bike Accident

Even with a helmet and other protective gear, cyclists can suffer serious injuries in a crash. Some are immediately obvious, while others appear days or weeks later.

Immediately onset injuries:

• Road rash and cuts
• Broken bones
• Spinal cord injuries
• Disfigurement

Injuries that may develop later:

• Head injuries, including traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Internal organ damage
• Soft tissue, tendon, muscle, or ligament injuries
• Paralysis

Always do a medical exam after an accident, and if you notice anything abnormal in the following weeks, be sure to seek out medical attention. 

Non-Physical Losses and Damages from Bicycle Accidents

Economic Loss

Economic damages represent the measurable financial impact of a bicycle accident. These losses can affect you immediately after the collision and continue for months or years. In Kentucky, injured cyclists may be able to recover compensation for a range of economic damages, including:

• Medical treatment costs already incurred: hospital stays, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and follow-up appointments
• Loss of income during recovery: wages lost due to time away from work
• Future medical expenses: ongoing care, physical therapy, or procedures needed for lasting injuries
• Employment benefits: lost bonuses, paid time off, or retirement contributions missed due to inability to work
• Reduced earning capacity: diminished ability to work or take on the same job responsibilities due to injury
• Property damage: repair or replacement of your bicycle, safety gear, or personal property damaged in the accident

Some economic losses extend beyond medical bills and lost wages. For example, a cyclist who sustains a traumatic brain injury (TBI) may require significant accommodations to support daily living. 

This can include modifications to the victim’s home–such as improved lighting, assistive technology, or creating a quieter, low-stimulation space to manage symptoms—as well as ongoing cognitive therapy or specialized in-home care. These necessary adjustments can be factored into the economic damages sought in a personal injury claim.

Kentucky’s Limitations on Wage Reimbursements

Limitations under Kentucky law – Ky. Rev. Stat. Ann. § 304.39-130 limits wage reimbursement to $200 per week for eligible plaintiffs.

At the Morrin Law Office, we understand this wage cap often does not reflect the true financial burden our clients could face. We work to present a full picture of your losses, seeking a settlement that properly addresses both immediate needs and long-term financial stability.

Non-economic Loss

Not all damages from a bicycle accident are measured in dollars and cents. Non-economic losses address the ways an injury affects your quality of life beyond financial expenses. These may include:

• Pain and suffering
• Loss of enjoyment of daily activities or hobbies
• Scarring or permanent disfigurement
• Loss of companionship or impact on relationships
• Emotional distress, anguish, anxiety, or depression

Although these damages are intangible, their effects are very real. They can alter daily routines, relationships, and emotional well-being in lasting ways. 

Since non-economic losses are more challenging to quantify, it’s important to work with a Kentucky bicycle accident attorney who understands how to document these impacts and advocate for compensation that reflects the full extent of your loss; Not just the financial costs.

Filing a Wrongful Death Claims After a Bike Accident

In August of 2024, a Georgetown resident, Jonathan Hensley was struck by a car on Ironworks Road in Georgetown and killed. 

While bike accidents are rare in Georgetown, and fatalities even rarer, they do happen. If you have lost someone in a cycling accident, you may be eligible to pursue a wrongful death claim for financial compensation. 

No legal action can ever replace the loss of someone you care about, or minimize grief. But, pursuing a wrongful death claim can help provide financial stability to continue life after an accident. 

What areas are most dangerous for cyclists in Georgetown, KY?

The two most dangerous riding areas for cyclists are Ironworks Road and Cincinnati Road. Both roads are dangerous for similar reasons, including:

• Limited visibility
• Lack of shoulder or bike lane
• Rural design and higher speeds

While Georgetown sees fewer total bike accidents than larger cities, certain conditions create elevated risk for cyclists, like:

• Limited dedicated cycling infrastructure: All bikers are riding on mainly car-designed roads. 
• Blind hills and curves: Rural stretches with elevation changes reduce drivers’ reaction time to see cyclists ahead.
• Peak agricultural traffic: During planting and harvest seasons, large farm equipment and trucks may reduce passing clearance for cyclists.
• Commuter traffic on bypasses: Morning and evening rush hours increase vehicle volumes on rural corridors with limited sight distance.

It’s essential for all cyclists to understand these risks when traveling around Georgetown to avoid collisions. 

What To Do If You’re Hit By a Car When Riding Your Bike

If you’re struck by a car when riding your bike, here are the three things you need to do next. 

1. Move yourself to safety (if you can) and call 911 to report the incident.
2. Get the driver’s name, contact information, vehicle details and insurance information.
3. Collect photos and videos from the accident. Consider documenting the following:
   • Your injuries
   • Scene of the wreck
   • The bike
   • The car, and any other cars involved
4. Gather contact information from eye witnesses. 

Once the police show up, file a police report. This is pertinent information for legal purposes, and will document the time, date, weather, and any other important information. 

Then it’s time to contact a law office with experience representing cyclists who have been struck by a car, like the Morrin Law Office. 

What to Keep Record of After a Bike Accident

Detailed records can help prove the impact a car crash has made on your life. Some documents worth compiling include:

• The police report (report number and a physical copy)
• ER and hospital visit records
• Follow-up treatment notes
• Diagnosis, prognosis, and medical test results
• Prescriptions and rehabilitation plans
• Receipts of all medical expenses
• Pay stubs and proof of income (to show lost wages)
• Employer documentation of missed work or reduced duties
• Insurance communication
• Repair or replacement receipts (bike, clothing, helmet, electronics, etc.)
• Journal entries documenting pain, symptoms, emotional distress, or limitations
• Notes on changes to your daily routine and lifestyle

All of these could create a more compelling case, which is essential given that Kentucky uses a ‘pure comparative negligence’ rule for determining fault. 

What is the pure comparative negligence rule? 

In Kentucky, more than one person can share fault for a bicycle accident. Each party is assigned a percentage of responsibility, and any compensation is adjusted based on that percentage. This means you can still recover damages even if you were partly at fault, but the amount you receive will be reduced by your share of the blame.

Drivers may be found negligent for actions like failing to check blind spots, operating a vehicle under the influence, engaging in aggressive or reckless driving, and more. 

Cyclists may be found negligent for actions like disregarding traffic lights or stop signs, riding at night without legally required lights or reflectors, making unsafe turns or lane changes, and more. 

The damages you could recover are specific to your unique situation. It’s essential to work with an experienced lawyer in Kentucky to determine if you have a case, and how much it could be worth. 

Schedule a Free Consultation with the Morrin Law Office Today

Speaking with an attorney promptly can help preserve evidence and protect your rights. Kentucky Statue Section 413.125 states that injured people have two years to file a personal injury claim that invokes a motor vehicle, based on the date of the accident or the last PIP payment. 

Delaying could result in a loss of essential documentation, like evidence and witness testimonials. By working with an experienced attorney, we can help you:

• Compile and review all evidence for your claim
• Consult with and document witness testimony
• Keep track of all documentation, like expenses, medical records, police reports, etc. 
• Draft a demand letter
• Meet with and manage insurance adjusters

When you call our office, we start by listening to and gathering details about your bike accident. We’re also happy to answer any outstanding questions you have about filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim. 

Find out if you may have a valid claim for compensation under Kentucky law. Given our firm works on a contingency basis, we only get paid if you do.Consultations are offered at no cost and carry no obligation. 

Contact the Morrin Law Office at (859) 724-5686 today.

We have handle bicycle accident cases across Kentucky (including Louisville, Covington, Bowling Green, Lexington, Richmond, and more) and can help evaluate the specifics of your situation.