Grundy Center Personal Injury Attorneys

Accidents and injuries can drastically alter lives. During such challenging times, personal injury lawyers are invaluable. They specialize in helping those affected by others' negligence secure the compensation they deserve. This article explores the essential role personal injury lawyers play in navigating claims and aiding in recovery.

Road Bike Safety Tips for New Cyclists

Over 46 million people ride bicycles each year in America for sport, fitness, fun, and commute. Bicycling is not only an economical form of recreation and commute, but it also has a minuscule carbon impact and is beneficial for your health. However, bicycling can also be dangerous, particularly for new cyclists who have yet to learn all the rules of the road. High traffic areas and roads that are not bike-friendly are especially hazardous.

Road Safety Tips for Cyclists

Before you hop on the saddle and hit the road, make sure you’ve acquainted yourself with relevant bike safety information. It could save your life. (We should know. Our firm represents injured cyclists and families of fatally injured cyclists. We’ve come across a host of horrific accidents that could have been prevented if simple safety precautions had been used.)

Take a look at the following safety tips:

1. Learn the Bicycling Rules of the Road: Each city and state can have distinct traffic laws for cyclists.
2. Practice in Safe Areas: Start in areas without cars before traveling in congestion. Ensure you know how to safely maneuver your bike, such as clipping in and out of your pedals and braking only with the rear brakes.
3. Take a Bicycle Safety Course
4. Ride with Traffic: Always ride in the same direction as traffic.
5. Stay Right: Stay as far to the right of cars as practicable if no bike path is available. Do not ride on sidewalks.
6. Wear a Helmet: Always wear a helmet for every trip.
7. Stay Visible: Wear reflective clothing and use reflectors and lights at night. Rear lights are mandatory in Iowa. Wear bright clothing during the day.
8. Avoid Earbuds: You need to stay alert to the sounds of traffic.
9. Be Aware of Cars: Pay attention to what cars around you are doing. Try to make eye contact with drivers when possible.
10. Avoid Blind Spots: Do not ride in drivers’ blind spots.
11. Watch for Doors: Leave room between yourself and parked cars to avoid being doored.
12. Avoid Speeding: Leave ample time to react.
13. Bike Maintenance: Make sure your bike is in good repair before hitting the road, such as checking tire pressure and brakes.

Filing a Claim for a Head Injury from a Bike Accident

Bicyclists, especially those who don’t wear helmets, are at a serious risk of sustaining a head injury in an accident with a motor vehicle. Victims' loved ones, as well as the victims themselves, may feel overwhelmed with the process of filing an injury claim after a head injury. Here’s a quick guide to help you understand the claims process for a bicycle accident in Iowa, the damages to which you may be entitled, and how to take the next steps.

Who’s Liable for Injuries?

The first step in the claims process is often determining who is responsible for the damage. In Iowa, the person who is at fault for the injury is the party who is liable for it. In the event of a bike accident, it is likely that the motor vehicle driver involved was to blame, meaning that the driver’s insurance will be liable for paying for damages.

How to Prove Liability

The at-fault driver may try to skirt responsibility for the accident and injuries by claiming that you—the cyclist—did something to contribute to the crash. You can substantiate your claim and prove liability with the following pieces of evidence:

- Police reports
- Physical evidence from the scene (broken bicycle parts, for example)
- Witness testimony

To determine liability, you’ll also have to prove that your head injury was a direct result of the accident, and not independent of it.

How Much Am I Entitled?

The insurance adjuster responsible for overseeing your claim will determine the amount, which will depend upon the extent of damages suffered. Considerations include:

- The extent of your injuries
- The amount of medical bills
- Lost time from work or lost ability to work
- Whether your bike needs to be replaced

If you were partially at fault for the accident, then your damage amount may be reduced. For example, if you were riding at night without mandatory rear lights, the motor vehicle driver may claim you contributed to the crash through negligence.

When a Settlement Amount Isn’t Enough

If you’re offered a settlement amount that isn’t sufficient, you do not have to accept it. You have the right to negotiate for a higher settlement amount, and if needed, file a claim against the at-fault driver in civil court. Ensure you file your claim within two years, pursuant to Iowa Code section 614.1. Because brain injuries often cause thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of dollars’ worth of damages, a civil suit may be necessary to recover your full compensation amount.

Rules of Driving on the Road When a Pedestrian is Present

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 70,000 pedestrians are injured in motor vehicle accidents in the United States each year. Despite the presence of well-established laws for pedestrians and motorists, many of these accidents happen due to ignorance about the rules of driving on the road around pedestrians.

Iowa Rules of the Road Around Pedestrians

Apart from general Iowa traffic laws, the Iowa Department of Transportation also lays down specific laws for motorists in situations where a pedestrian is present. The burden of responsibility lies heavily on the motorist, as their vehicle has the capacity to seriously injure a pedestrian if piloted incorrectly. According to these laws, a motorist must give the right of way to pedestrians when the former is entering or leaving:

- A driveway
- A parking lot
- An alley

They must also give the right of way to pedestrians when they are crossing at an intersection, either on a marked or unmarked crosswalk when there are no traffic signals. A motorist in Iowa is also expected to exercise special precaution when driving through:

- A residential area
- The vicinity of a school
- Near shopping centers
- In parking lots
- Congested areas (such as downtown)

We Are Here To Help

Remember, you are not alone in recovering from your injuries. We have helped thousands of Iowans through their physical, emotional, and financial recoveries. If you have questions about what you are going through, feel free to call our office for your confidential injury conference. We will take the time to listen to you and give you our advice concerning your injury matter at no cost or risk to you.

Free Book at No Cost 

If you are not ready to speak with an attorney yet but would like to learn more about Iowa injury cases including tips about how you can avoid making common costly mistakes request a copy of our Iowa Personal Injury book which includes 14 myths about Iowa injury cases and 5 things to know before hiring an attorney.

If you have specific questions about your injury matter feel free to call our office to speak with our Injury team at 641-792-3595 or use our Chat feature by clicking here 24 hours a day/7 days per week. Your information will remain confidential and there is no cost or obligation.