Lancaster County Bicycle Accident Lawyer

A bicycle accident can be incredibly devastating, and knowing your injuries came about due to a motorist’s preventable negligence could compound your pain. If you or your loved one suffered from injuries after being struck on a bicycle by a moving vehicle, a practiced Lancaster County bicycle accident lawyer can help you move forward.

You may be eligible for a wide range of damages to cover the costs stemming from your bike crash, which can be staggering when considering medical bills. Reach out to an accomplished personal injury attorney from Inkelaar Law who could explain the compensation you may be entitled to.

Damages in Lancaster County Bicycle Crash Cases

If you were struck by a car, a truck, or any other vehicle while riding a bike, you might be able to collect for a variety of damages. These include compensation for lost wages due to time away from work, medical bills, surgical costs, pain medication, physical therapy, and other monetary losses.

You might also be able to obtain compensation for pain and suffering, the loss of the ability to pursue hobbies as well as educational or career goals, the loss of the ability to enjoy intimacy, and other such non-monetary damages. If a bicyclist died as the result of their accident, their family could pursue wrongful death damages. An Inkelaar Law bicycle accident lawyer in Lancaster County could review your case and explain which damages you may be entitled to.

Bike-Related Laws in Lancaster County

Under Nebraska law, motorists are required to give bicyclists a minimum of a three-foot berth when passing to reduce the risk of striking a bicyclist. Bicyclists also must obey specific safety regulations and procedures. This includes refraining from cycling on restricted highways, using bike paths when they are available, cycling in a single file line on the highway, and wearing protective reflectors when cycling at night time. For their part, motorists should exercise reasonable care when sharing the roadway with a bicyclist.

It should be noted that the laws regarding bicyclist conduct can become relevant in personal injury cases if a defendant motorist claims that a bicyclist’s failure to follow bike laws or other rules of the road contributed to causing their injuries. Under Nebraska’s comparative negligence laws, a bicyclist who is partially at fault for causing their own accident could have their recovery of damages reduced by the portion of responsibility they bear.

Your claim could also be barred altogether if they are deemed to bear more than 50 percent of the total liability for their accident and injuries. While this may seem daunting if you are unsure whether you followed the law perfectly. A determined bicycle accident attorney in Lancaster County can work to refute claims of comparative negligence on your part.

Lancaster County Statute of Limitations in Bike Wreck Cases

Under Nebraska law, claims for bicycle accidents and other personal injuries must be filed within four years of the date of the injury taking place. In rare situations, you could potentially receive an extension to the statute of limitations for discovering an injury on a delayed date if this delay is considered reasonable by the court. It should be noted that the majority of cases must be filed within the requisite four-year time limit.

One exception to the Nebraska statute of limitations rule applies to wrongful death claims. If a bicyclist dies, their family’s wrongful death claim must be filed within two years of the date of the death. A skilled Lancaster County attorney from Inkelaar Law could help you or your family ensure that a bicycle accident claim meets the prompt filing requirements.

Consult an Experienced Lancaster County Bicycle Accident Attorney

While motorists on the roadways should look out for bicyclists on the roadways, this does not always happen. When injured bicyclists face seemingly insurmountable costs associated with their injuries, a compassionate Lancaster County bicycle accident lawyer may be able to help. If a vehicle struck you or your loved one while bicycling in Lancaster County, reach out today and speak with our team at Inkelaar Law about safeguarding your rights as a plaintiff.