Idaho Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Idaho is a popular destination for cyclists, and many locals and visitors to the state use bicycles for transportation, whether it’s commuting to work or riding mountain bikes on our trails. However, despite the area’s beauty, driver negligence can result in tragedy for those who enjoy riding bikes in Idaho.

Whenever a cyclist is injured through an act of carelessness, the team at Sargent Law Firm is ready to protect their rights. Whether your life was changed forever by your injuries or you are struggling to cope after the loss of a loved one, our Idaho bicycle accident lawyers can take the pressure off of you.

Reach out to our bicycle accident firm at (844) SARGENT or through our contact form to learn more about how you can hold an at-fault driver accountable for your damages.

Can I File a Bicycle Accident Claim if I Am Knocked Off My Bike in Idaho?

Yes, you can file a bicycle accident claim if you are knocked off your bike or hurt in a vehicle crash in Idaho. The state allows injury claims and lawsuits stemming from all types of vehicle collisions, including pedestrian/bicycle versus automobile incidents. An Idaho personal injury lawyer can tell you if you have a valid claim.

If you’re thinking of pursuing a bike accident claim in Idaho, here are some basic facts about the state’s personal injury laws you’ll need to know:

• Idaho follows modified comparative negligence laws – Even if you, as the cyclist, are deemed partially at fault, you can still recover damages reduced by your share of responsibility.
• Evidence must show driver breach of duties – Helmet cam footage proving driver liability carries significant influence when available.
• Government entities can also bear liability – If unsafe infrastructure conditions like potholes or faded bike lane striping contributed substantially to the crash, you can file a claim within six months according to GOV § 911.2.
• Deadline to file bike injury claims is two years in Idaho – CCP § 335.1 states that the deadline to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim in Idaho is two years. So, retaining legal counsel quickly is key.

An injury lawyer can thoroughly assess fault and build your strongest case, leveraging insurance policies, video footage, witness statements, and more to demand the compensation you deserve for medical costs, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Types of Bicycle Accidents Our Idaho Injury Lawyers Represent

At Sargent Law Firm, we fight for the rights of those injured in accidents that should never have happened. In any of the following types of accidents, if a cyclist is injured and the collision was caused by negligence, we may be able to represent you:

• Car accidents
• Pedestrian accidents
• Motorcycle accidents
• Truck accidents
• Premises liability accidents

Whether your bicycle accident was caused by driver carelessness or a deliberate act like road rage, we can help. We want to know how your life has changed since the accident, what medical bills you are facing, and how your job has been affected. Then, we will create a personalized strategy to fight for your compensation.

Choose Sargent Law to Represent Your Idaho Bicycle Accident Claim

Choosing a law firm to protect your interests during such a difficult time is always challenging. At Sargent Law Firm, we are proud that so many people and their loved ones have chosen to hire us after personal injury accidents. We have represented thousands of clients in California and Idaho and have a $40 million track record of getting results.

Read our client testimonials to learn why so many injured people in Idaho choose our bicycle accident law firm.  From our commitment to our clients to our use of the latest technology to keep you up to date on your case, you will appreciate what we can do to take the pressure off you.

Are you ready to learn more about your legal options in Idaho? Call (844) SARGENT or fill out our contact form to learn more about how we can help you get compensation.

Who Is Usually At Fault If a Bicycle Is Involved in an Accident?

When determining fault and negligence in an accident involving a bicycle, there are several important factors to consider:

Motor Vehicle Drivers

Drivers who do not adhere to traffic safety laws, such as yielding to cyclists, changing lanes or turning in front of a bicycle improperly, and failing to slow down when cyclists are present, are often the party majority at fault in a car vs. bicycle crash. In cases where cyclists are involved in multi-vehicle accidents, there may be more than one at-fault party.

Cyclists

If the cyclist is violating specific traffic signage laws, such as not stopping, swerving erratically, riding on the wrong side of the road, failing to use hand signals, riding without lights in dark conditions, and more, they may bear fault in an accident if they strike a pedestrian. These cases may be complex as bicyclists may be uninsured.

Municipality/Property Owners

Poorly maintained roads/bike lanes with hazards and defects or infrastructure design flaws that precipitate dangerous interactions between cars and bicycles could place liability for an accident on local agencies or property owners.

Product Manufacturers

Sometimes faulty or defectively designed cycling equipment contributes to risk, crash severity, and injury fixation when accidents occur. Manufacturers may take some of the blame in accidents caused by faulty bicycles or parts, making them liable for your compensation.

What Happens If You Have a Bicycle Accident in Idaho?

Here is an overview of key things that happen if you are injured in a bicycle accident in Idaho:

• File a police report. Officers will be dispatched to the scene to interview parties, document conditions, take measurements, gather contact info, etc., to create an officially recorded incident report.
• Make an insurance claim. The cyclist will likely connect with legal counsel shortly after to pursue injury claim avenues through your auto insurance policy, health insurance, or additional avenues seeking medical cost/damage reimbursement.
• Conduct a fault investigation. Your insurer will scrutinize details independently and likely order a reconstruction expert analysis to determine percentages of liability between you, the bicyclist, the municipality, etc., based on evidence findings.
• Send a settlement demand letter. Once the bicyclist’s attorney quantifies injuries and calculates all associated present and future losses, a specific demand amount seeking compensation for your share of crash damages will be presented.
• Enter into the negotiations phase. Complex back-and-forth negotiations ensue with insurers to agree on equitable settlement offers to account for quantified losses.
• Possibly take court action. Failure to negotiate a satisfactory claim value may ultimately result in the bicyclist’s attorney filing a civil lawsuit against the at-fault party.

Throughout every stage of your case, our Idaho bicycle accident attorneys will advise you on what you should avoid in a bicycle accident claim. From the minute your bicycle accident happens, any mistake you make can hurt your claim’s value.

How Idaho Bicycle Accident Lawyers Determine the Value of a Claim

Understanding how much your bicycle accident claim could be worth takes a comprehensive evaluation of the case details. As your attorneys, here is how we would calculate potential claim value:

• First, we thoroughly document the collision details, including how the accident happened and the driver’s breach of duties or negligence that led to endangering you as a cyclist.
• Next, we thoroughly assess the severity of physical injuries and their impacts, including past/future medical expenses tied directly to the crash, lost income from missing work, quantifying pain and emotional distress, and permanent impairment levels.
• Additionally, we explore how negligence factors affect case value, including the degree of fault held by the driver, municipality, product makers, etc. Jurisdiction laws determine how proportional responsibility influences damage award ceilings.
• Lastly, we apply our litigation experience to strategically craft demand letters to insurers, submit binding arbitration requests, or prepare jury trial arguments to demand a just settlement for your bicycle crash.

The unique attributes of each bicycle crash combined with victim impacts require custom valuation tactics. A bicycle accident lawyer in Idaho can estimate your claim’s value after we examine your evidence.

It’s free to speak with us and learn the value of your case today.

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What Is the Statute of Limitations for Bicycle Accident Claims in Idaho?

Idaho Statutes § 5-219 states that the statute of limitations for filing a personal injury lawsuit in Idaho is two years from the date of the injury or accident. You also have two years to file a wrongful death claim. This means bicycle accident injury victims have 24 months after the incident occurs to formally take legal action and file their claim in Idaho civil court.

If a victim fails to have an attorney file the paperwork for monetary damages related to the personal injury or accident before the two-year mark passes, they lose their right to pursue compensation through the courts.

It is crucial for you to connect with an Idaho bicycle accident law firm as soon as possible so that your case can be assessed and handled promptly before any of your legal rights expire.

Get a Free Consultation With an Idaho Bicycle Accident Lawyer

At Sargent Law Firm, our Idaho bicycle accident lawyers are dedicated to protecting the rights of the injured. Our Coeur d’Alene office is located at 1450 Northwest Blvd Suite 104, and we serve clients across Idaho. To learn whether you have a valid claim and how much it may be worth, call  (844) SARGENT or contact us online.