Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Bicycle Accidents

Many drivers don’t take sufficient precautions around bicycles. When motorists’ inattention or carelessness leads to collisions, the injuries they cause cyclists can be severe. If a car hit you while you were riding your bike in Grand Rapids, trust Gruel Mills to defend your rights and fight for fair compensation. Our Grand Rapids bicycle accident attorneys have served Michigan residents for over 40 years while winning millions of dollars for our clients. We handle all the legal work so you can rest easy and focus on healing. Call now or complete our contact form for a free case review, and pay no fees unless and until we recover compensation for you.

Why You Need a Lawyer After a Grand Rapids Bicycle Accident

You’re likely feeling pressure from every direction after a bicycle crash in Grand Rapids, and not hiring an attorney could make things worse. Without legal representation, the insurance companies might push you to accept a quick payout that does not match the full extent of your long-term costs. You may also miss deadlines that can block your claim.

There are other legal risks you will face if you don’t hire a lawyer. For one thing, insurance adjusters may employ tactics to get you to admit fault and then use your words against you to deny you compensation. Moreover, without someone to review legal documents for you, you may sign forms that give up important rights. Having an attorney communicate with insurers on your behalf can help protect your claim.

Finally, not hiring a lawyer means the insurers will have an easier time blaming you for the accident, which could prevent you from recovering compensation. The other side may argue you caused the crash or broke a traffic law, meaning the driver isn’t liable and doesn’t have to compensate you. Working with an experienced law firm simplifies your life during a challenging moment and gives you peace of mind.

What Our Grand Rapids Bike Accident Attorneys Do for You

At Gruel Mills, it’s our job to protect your rights and maximize your claim’s value after a Grand Rapids bike crash. Some steps we can take on your behalf include:

Gathering Evidence – Our attorneys quickly collect the police crash report, photos from the scene, video footage, witness statements, and other key details to build a strong foundation for your case.
Documenting Your Injuries and Costs – Our lawyers review your medical records, treatment plans, and billing statements to get a complete picture of the crash’s impact on your life. This step also helps our law firm connect your injuries to the crash. We also account for pain and suffering and how your injuries affect your daily life.
Handling Insurance Communications – We take over all calls, emails, and letters with the at-fault driver and their insurer. This way, you avoid stressful conversations and reduce your risk of making statements that could hurt your claim.
Challenging Unfair Blame – When the other side tries to argue you caused the crash, our law firm uses the evidence we’ve collected and our knowledge of Michigan law to push back against those arguments.
Negotiating a Settlement – After completing the accident investigation, our lawyers demand a fair offer and push back against low settlement tactics. We also keep you informed throughout your case so you can make informed decisions.
Preparing for Trial – The best way to win a fair settlement is for the insurers to know you’re ready to go to trial. Our attorneys build your case as if it will go to court, even while negotiations continue. If the insurer refuses to pay a reasonable amount, we’ll be ready to present your case to a judge or jury.
Protecting Your Deadlines and Legal Rights – Lastly, our law firm manages all the necessary filing deadlines and documents to help you avoid any preventable mistakes.

Common Causes of Grand Rapids Bicycle Accidents

Many bike accidents in Grand Rapids occur because a driver or another party wasn’t careful enough. Some common bike accident causes include:

Failure to Yield – Michigan law grants bicycles the same rights as cars, which means drivers must yield to bicycles when the rules of the road require it. However, drivers frequently collide with cyclists when they pull out of driveways or alleys, turn before making sure it’s safe, or change lanes without checking for cyclists.
Dooring Accidents – People in parked cars sometimes open their doors into the path of oncoming cyclists, which can cause a cyclist to hit the door or crash after swerving to avoid it.
Distracted Driving – Drivers can easily miss nearby bicycles and cause a crash when they’re focused on their phones, GPS devices, conversations with passengers, or other distractions.
Speeding – High speeds shorten drivers’ reaction times, making it harder for them to see and avoid bicycles or other nearby hazards. Speeding also increases the force of impact in a crash, making catastrophic injuries more likely for cyclists.
Traffic Signal and Stop Sign Violations – A driver might hit a cyclist by running a red light, rolling through a stop, or failing to obey a turn signal.
Impaired Driving – Alcohol or drugs can compromise drivers’ judgment and coordination, which often leads to dangerous lane changes and other actions that can cause a bicycle crash.
Poor Road Maintenance – Careless drivers aren’t the only cause of bicycle accidents. Government agencies can be liable when potholes, cracked pavement, loose gravel, and debris cause a rider to lose control and fall.
Bad Weather and Low Visibility – Rain, fog, and darkness can reduce drivers’ visibility, making accidents more likely if drivers don’t adjust their behavior.
Defective Bicycle Components – Finally, bike manufacturers may be liable in cases where brake failures, tire blowouts, chain issues, or other defects cause cyclists to suddenly lose control.

What to Do After a Grand Rapids Bicycle Accident

Guarding your health and legal rights is crucial after a Grand Rapids bike crash, as your actions can significantly affect your case’s outcome. First and foremost, report the crash immediately, then seek medical attention. See a doctor even if you feel fine, as you need a thorough record for your case. Keep in mind that not all bicycle accident injuries are immediately obvious, and getting a medical evaluation helps you know that you aren’t leaving hidden injuries untreated.

Once you start medical treatment, follow your doctor’s orders, and save all your medical records. You should also save any proof of lost income, such as your pay stubs or notes from your employer.

Don’t discuss the collision or your injuries in detail with anyone other than your attorney. In particular, don’t post about the accident online, as the insurance companies can find your social media accounts and use their contents against you.

Finally, talk to an attorney about your situation as soon as possible. An experienced personal injury law firm can explain your options, deal with the insurance companies on your behalf, and collect evidence to build a strong claim.

Compensation for Bicycle Accident Injuries in Grand Rapids

Your bicycle accident lawyer can make sure your claim accounts for all the harm you suffered in the collision, including:

Past and future medical expenses
Lost income and reduced future earnings
Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Diminishes quality of life
Damaged personal property

Contact Our Grand Rapids Bicycle Accident Law Office

Taking swift legal action is the best way to protect your rights and your future after a Grand Rapids bicycle accident. Call Gruel Mills now or complete our contact form for a free consultation.

Practice Areas