A Bike Accident Attorney Can Help Your Case
Bike accidents are painful: Every bicyclist who has crashed knows that. What makes it worse is all the ensuing steps. If the accident is not your fault, you will probably have to file an insurance claim to get fair compensation, which means you will have to deal with insurance companies—the most stubborn organizations around.
With so many biking opportunities around Ogden, accidents are fairly common. Our law firm has seen the whole spectrum of personal injuries cyclists sustain, including property damage.
Our law firm’s mission has always been to help people recover from accidents. We achieve this by providing you with a mix of compassionate and professional representation throughout the legal process.
Call us for a free case evaluation. Together, we can help you go from a bicycle accident victim to a victor.
$2.5 Million
Head-on Car Crash
$1.3 Million
Side Impact Auto Accident
$1.0 Million
Side Impact Car Crash
$1.1 Million
Semi-Truck Auto Accident
$1.2 Million
Multiple Vehicle Collision
A Team of Bicycle Accident Professionals Assigned to Your Case
For nearly 30 years, The Advocates have helped thousands of personal injury victims receive fair compensation and care they deserve after their accidents, and we are prepared to do the same for you. We can help you:
- Understand the claims process
- Investigate your accident
- Negotiate with insurance adjusters
- Obtain a settlement or judgment against the at fault party
"Hiring The Advocates was the best move I could have made after my accident. They were very professional and made me feel confident my case would go smoothly. They really put me at ease. I would recommend them to anyone!" - Robert S.
When Should I Hire an Ogden Bicycle Accident Attorney?
The meeting point between personal injuries and biking in Utah law is complicated. Have you been in a bike crash? Then get yourself a Utah bicycle accident attorney.
Why? The legal process is confusing and dense. Lawyers spend three years of school trying to understand our system. That includes The Advocates.
What differentiates us is the emphasis we place on building relationships with our clients. Your well-being is always our priority. We care about you because you are a fellow member of this great city and state we call home.
Provo, St. George, Orem, Ogden, it does not matter where you are from in Utah. If you have been in a bicycle crash, then you may have a bicycle accident claim. The Advocates are here to help you recover damages. You deserve it. You deserve an Advocate.
The Bountiful Biking Opportunities in Ogden
Ogden mountain biking trails
Ogden is a prime place for trail biking, which is not surprising to those who have been there. Mighty mountains buttress the city, offering amazing routes free from motorists and their motor vehicles.
Here are three worth checking out:
- Wheeler Creek to Coldwater Overlook: 6.5 miles one way. Moderate. The elevation goes from 4,900 to 6,900 feet.
- Skyline Trail: 9.5 miles from trailhead to North Ogden Divide. Difficult. The elevation goes from 4.950 to 7,750 feet.
- Bonneville Shoreline Trail—East Ogden Bench: The length varies depending on where you want to start and finish. It is easy to difficult, and the elevation ranges from 4,400 to 5,680 feet.
The biggest concern on these trails is not bike-on-car accidents but a biker hitting another rider or a pedestrian. These accident cases are just as valid as any other personal injury claim. With bicycle laws in Utah, it can be challenging to parse negligence, which is why one should hire a bicycle accident lawyer.
Biking in the town of Ogden
Ogden has lots of trails in and around it. The Ogden Trails Network is an advisory committee with a mission to “Develop a world-class trail experience for the betterment of Ogden.”
That mission has been largely accomplished. There are dedicated bike lanes, bike racks for business downtown, bike sharing programs, laws giving bikers the right of way in many places, electric scooters, and easy-to-navigate curbs.
Even with all this excellent infrastructure and policies, there are still more cars than bikes on the road. Our legal advice is to exercise caution. If you follow the rules and a car hits you, it will probably not be your fault.
Common bicycle accident injuries
- Lacerations and bruising
- Road rash
- Ligament tears or strains
- Broken bones
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries and other head injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Personal Injury Law in Utah
What damages can you seek in a bicycle accident case?
The damages you can seek depend on the details of your case. Every personal injury claim is different, so it is hard to say what you can sue for before we look into the nuances of your accident.
Generally, these are the types of damages a personal injury lawyer will help you seek:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Loss of future earning capacity
- Property damage
- Non-economic damages like psychological trauma
- Funeral and burial costs for fatalities
Is there a time limit for filing a biking accident claim?
Yes.
In Utah, the statute of limitations for personal injuries is generally four years. The process of getting fair compensation is not fast, which is why our legal advice is to quickly start your case.
The statute of limitations for seeking compensation for property damage is three years.
Determining responsibility for the accident
Responsibility for the claim must be established before any claim can begin. Utah uses comparative negligence for personal injury and property damage lawsuits. Fault is assigned as a percentage.
You cannot file a claim if you are more than 50% responsible for the accident. Imagine you run a red light through an intersection on your bike and get struck by a car that had a green light. In this case, you will likely be the at-fault party assigned the majority of the fault for the case and, therefore, cannot sue.
You might be assigned 25% of the blame. If your fault is under 51%, you can still file a claim, but your final settlement will be reduced by the percentage of your fault—in this example, the compensation you receive from the accident will be 75% of the final settlement.
The steps to take after a bicycle accident
- Ensure safety
- Check for injuries
- Call emergency services and obtain a police report as soon as you can
- Gather names, contact information, and insurance information of the other parties involved in the accident
- Get information from witnesses
- Document the accident scene by taking pictures
- Seek a medical provider
- Report the accident to your insurance
- Consult an Advocate personal injury lawyer
- Keep records of everything related to the accident, from records of medical expenses to communications with all parties involved