Morrin Law Office

Bicycle Accident Attorney in Louisville, Kentucky

As Kentucky’s most populated city, it is no surprise that Louisville has a large amount of bicycle traffic. Even with designated bike lanes and continuous efforts to invest in bicycle safety, cyclists still fall victim to bicycle collisions.

Compared to a motor vehicle, a bike has little to no protection. A bicyclist can wear a helmet, protective clothing, and additional padding; however, the truth remains that getting hit by a car while on a bike can lead to catastrophic results. If the cyclist survives the collision, they may be left with expensive medical bills, lost income, and psychological trauma. If the cyclist dies in the wreck, their family or loved ones will be left to pick up the pieces, both emotionally and financially.

Don’t let the financial burden of a bicycle accident prevent you from receiving the treatment and care you need. If you are in a bike accident and are injured, an experienced attorney can help determine the extent of your injuries and damages, and work towards building a personal injury claim to get compensated for your injuries. Your bike accident deserves caring yet effective representation from a knowledgeable bicycle accident attorney. This is where Morrin Law Firm can help.

Morrin Law Firm Bicycle Accident Attorney

Were you recently involved in a bicycle accident in Louisville? If it resulted in any injury, you may have a case for a personal injury claim. Contact an attorney with Morrin Law Firm to discuss the details of your accident, its resulting injuries, and a plan to seek financial recovery. We offer risk-free consultations when you call (859) 358-0300. Our office represents clients in Bowling Green, Covington, Georgetown, and Owensboro.

What Causes Bike Accidents in Louisville, Kentucky?

A 2022 report by Wave 3 questioned whether things were getting worse for bicyclists and pedestrians in Louisville. The report indicated that nine pedestrians and one bicyclist were killed within the first five months of the year, with 16 pedestrians and five bicyclists who were severely injured.

The Vision Zero Louisville’s (VZL) Safety Report is an initiative with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to develop data-driven processes to identify and prioritize safety projects in the city.

According to VZL, Louisville had an estimated 832 crashes involving bicycles. Out of those, 64 resulted in serious injury and 9 resulted in fatalities. In addition, 62% of all bicycle accidents resulting in serious injury or death occurred at a Louisville intersection. The intersections resulting in the highest number of severe bicycle accidents in Louisville include the following:

West Broadway and 9^th Street
West Broadway and 2^nd Street
Bardstown Road and Eastern Parkway
Indian Trail and Jeanine Drive
West Broadway and 4^th Street
Preston Highway and Oaklawn Drive
3^rd Street and Cardinal Drive
Catherine Street and Jackson Street

Additionally, the most common causes of bike accidents in Louisville include:

Driver fails to yield;
Bicyclist fails to yield;
Violation of traffic law(s);
Distracted driving; and
Lighting and visibility.

Potential Injuries

Bicycle accidents can result in serious injuries, including, but not limited to:

Broken bones
Head injuries
Internal organ damage
Paralysis
Road rash
Scrapes and lacerations
Spinal cord injuries
Soft-tissue injuries
Tendon, muscle, or ligament injuries
Traumatic brain injury (TBI)

It is extremely important to receive medical help and examination for any possible injury following a bicycle accident. Even if you feel fine immediately after, it could be due to shock, or a certain injury that has not yet set in. Documentation of all medical examinations, injuries, and rehabilitation is imperative for building a successful personal injury claim.

Damages Available After a Bicycle Accident

A bicycle accident resulting in injury can accumulate an expensive financial burden to the injured party. Depending on the severity of the bike crash, you may be facing long-term financial costs. Working with a personal injury attorney on your claim can help seek the following damages:

Past, present, or future medical bills from the injury;
Lost of income due to missing work;
Projected lost earnings if you cannot work the same job after the injury;
Physical disability or disfigurement;
Emotional pain and suffering; or
Property damage.

Contact Morrin Law Firm to assess the extent of damages caused by your bicycle accident and work on filing a personal injury claim.

How to Determine Fault

It is important for any personal injury case to determine which party is at fault. An experienced Kentucky personal injury attorney can help you assign liability by proving the following elements:

The driver owed you as the bicyclist the reasonable duty of sharing the road;
The driver acted recklessly or in a negligent manner, resulting in a breach of their responsibility;
The driver’s recklessness or negligent behavior caused the bicycle accident; and
The bicycle accident was a direct cause of your injuries and relating financial damages.

What Should You Do After a Bike Accident in Louisville, Kentucky?

You’ve just been in a bicycle accident in Louisville. Now what? Take these steps to ensure your safety and best possible outcome for your personal injury case:

Call 911 and seek medical attention, regardless of how extensive you think your initial injuries are.
Collect documentation from the scene if it is safe and possible to do so, including images and videos of the wreck, your bike, and any injuries.
Gather evidence to help prove your claim, including the accident report, medical records, and witness statements.
Contact an attorney who specializes in Louisville personal injury claims and can provide legal guidance and support throughout this difficult period.

Obstacles for Bicycle Accident Cases

Winning fair compensation following a bicycle accident can result in some difficulties. Obstacles that are working against bike accident cases include:

Dangers of a hit-and-run – In accidents involving pedestrians or bicyclists, at-fault drivers are more likely to commit a hit-and-run to try and flee the scene and its consequences. This can make it difficult to determine who was at fault for the injuries.
Lack of available insurance coverage – Even if the driver has accepted fault for the bicyclist’s injuries, their insurance coverage may not be sufficient to cover all the injured person’s damages.
Resistance from insurance companies – Insurance companies will fight tooth and nail to avoid responsibility or paying for damages. They may attempt to fight your personal injury claim or attempt to convince you to accept a settlement much lower than your injuries deserve.
Unfair bias against bikers – There are some unfortunate stereotypes against bicyclists, which claim that they’re ignorant of the rules of the road. This could result in the cyclist getting blamed for the accident instead of the at-fault driver.

The benefit of hiring a personal injury attorney with Morrin Law Firm is knowing you have an experienced and knowledgeable attorney in bike accidents, who will ensure that none of your rights are violated.

Kentucky’s Limits for Personal Injury Cases

The state of Kentucky currently has no cap on damages in a personal injury case. That means there is no state-imposed limit on the monetary value of damages you can receive from a successful personal injury case.

However, the state does impose a limitation on how long the injured party must file. Kentucky Statute Section 413.125 addresses that an injured person has two years to file a personal injury claim that involves a motor vehicle. Even though the injured person was on a bicycle, getting struck by a car means the statute of limitations is set to two years. This is either from the date of the bike accident, or the date of the last PIP payment.

The experienced Louisville personal injury attorneys at Morrin Law Firm always stress that although the Statute provides two years, the worst thing you can do for your case is wait. Letting time pass from the accident to filing could result in losing important documentation or evidence to help your case. Contact our office today to get started on your personal injury claim right away.

Bicycle Accidents Resulting in Death

Unfortunately, some bicycle accidents result in the worst-case scenario: the cyclist’s death. If you have lost a loved one to a bicycle accident in Louisville, you may be entitled to compensation through a wrongful death claim.

As we understand how challenging this time is, Morrin Law Firm vows to provide nonstop support and guidance throughout your case. Successful wrongful death suits allow the surviving family members to receive assistance through financial recovery. Although it cannot bring back your loved one or take away the pain from your loss, our firm aims to win you a recovery to help get your life back on track.

Example Cases in Louisville, Kentucky

The following lists examples of bicycle accidents in Louisville:

June 2022 – The Louisville Metro Police Department (LMPD) responded to a call near Poplar Level Road for a hit-and-run bicycle accident. Nathan Green was riding his bike home from work when he was struck by a motor vehicle. The at-fault driver fled the scene, leaving Green in critical condition on the road. A homeless man saw the victim and called 911, who rushed Green to the hospital. Green suffered from two shattered vertebrae, two broken legs, three rib fractures, multiple lacerations, a diffused axonal brain injury, and bleeding of the brain. Green was in the hospital for nearly 70 days before being released to his family.
November 2022 – LMPD responded to a collision involving a motor vehicle and bicyclist on November 3^rd, 2022. The report states that Christopher Ward, 43, was cycling on Preston Highway around 8:15pm when he was hit by a car. Police later found the at-fault party, Isaiah Terry, 19, who fled to a nearby apartment complex after hitting the cyclist. Police found Terry had both marijuana and alcohol in his system at the time of the wreck. Ward was transported to a nearby hospital in critical condition, and unfortunately passed due to his injuries several days later.
February 2023 – LMPD responded to a fatal bicycle accident that took place on February 13^th around 4:40pm. The collision took place on Interstate 265 near Interstate 65. The motor vehicle struck and ejected the man from the bike, resulting in his death. The at-fault kept driving after hitting the cyclist but was stopped at a median and was arrested by police.

Contact Morrin Law Firm

Even with the right safety equipment and commitment to following Kentucky’s traffic laws, a bicycle accident can result in serious injuries. If you or someone you love has recently been in a bike accident in Louisville, it is in your best interest to contact an experienced personal injury attorney. The aftermath of a bicycle accident may leave you too stressed or in pain to deal with the legal aspects of a personal injury claim.

When you trust Morrin Law Firm to take on your personal injury case, we do all the heavy lifting for you. Our goal is to tackle the legal aspects of a personal injury claim while you work on building back your health and well-being. We can help you manage communication with insurance companies, collect evidence, and fight for your well-deserved compensation. Contact our firm today at (859) 358-0300 and receive a risk-free consultation regarding your case.