Lynchburg & Roanoke Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Riding a bicycle should be an enjoyable activity. But what happens when a negligent driver causes a serious accident with a bicyclist? Life can suddenly become overwhelming. You may be facing significant medical bills, lost income from work, and an uncertain path toward recovery.

If you or a loved one has suffered a bicycle accident injury caused by a driver’s negligence in Lynchburg, Roanoke, or anywhere in Virginia, you need an experienced personal injury attorney on your side. Slominski Law provides dedicated legal representation to help injured bicyclists and their families obtain full compensation. Get a free consultation. Call us at (434) 205-9894 (Lynchburg office) or (540) 307-8478 (Roanoke office).

Why Choose Slominski Law For Your Bike Accident Case?

With over 30 years of experience, Slominski Law founder Jaleh K. Slominski understands the unique legal issues involved in bicycle accidents. As an avid cyclist herself, she has a deep appreciation for the dangers that riders face from negligent motorists. 

Attorney Slominski approaches each bicycle accident case with compassion and commitment to her injured client’s needs. Her goal is to remove as many burdens from your shoulders as possible so you can focus on healing. She works closely with each client to build a customized legal strategy aimed at maximizing their recovery.

The Slominski Law Difference

• Personal attention and support throughout your case
• Free case evaluation
• Contingency fee billing (no out-of-pocket cost to hire us)
• Decades of proven results for injury victims.

Common Causes of Virginia Bicycle Accidents

While bicyclists must obey traffic rules and laws just like other road users, most serious bicycle crashes involve a motorist’s negligent driving behavior. Some common causes include:

• Distracted driving (texting, phone calls, and more)
• Speeding or aggressive driving around bicyclists
• Failure to yield the right of way at intersections
• Unsafe passing of bicyclists (sideswipes)
• Opening a vehicle door into an oncoming bicyclist (“dooring”)
• Drunk-driving.

In the eyes of the law, when a driver operates their motor vehicle negligently and injures a bicyclist, that driver should be held financially accountable. An experienced bicycle accident attorney can build a strong injury claim or lawsuit demonstrating how the motorist’s actions directly caused your injuries and damages.

Bicycle Accident Injuries: Short- and Long-Term Effects

Bicycle accidents with vehicles often involve significant impact forces that can lead to traumatic injuries including:

Common bicycle crash injuries

• Broken bones and fractures
• Sprains and strains
• Head, neck, and back injuries
• Road rash and abrasions
• Internal organ damage.

Potential long-term issues

• Chronic pain
• Permanent disabilities
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

An accomplished personal injury lawyer has the resources to obtain expert opinions documenting both your visible and “invisible” accident injuries. These medical reports and testimony are crucial for receiving full compensation.

What Compensation Can I Recover After a Virginia Bicycle Accident?

Injury victims can typically seek compensation for categories of damages including:

• Medical expenses – All bills related to accident injuries: hospital, rehab, devices, prescriptions, therapies, at-home care, and more. These also include estimated costs for required future care.
• Lost income – Value of missed work plus future impaired earning capacity if disabilities prevent you from working the same way again.
• Property losses – Repair or replacement costs for your damaged bicycle, helmet, other gear, clothing, and the like.
• Pain and suffering – There is no precise formula for calculating this highly subjective category. An experienced attorney makes the case for appropriate pain and suffering damages based on the unique circumstances of your injuries and losses.
• Wrongful death damages – In the tragic event a bicyclist is killed by a negligent motorist, certain family members may have a claim for funeral costs, loss of companionship and support, and other major financial and emotional impacts.
• Punitive damages – There are limits on the amount of punitive damages that can be recovered. You cannot get punitive damages by submitting an insurance claim after a motorcycle accident. However, if the negligent party acted with malice or reckless disregard for safety, causing the crash and injuries, punitive damages may be awarded in a lawsuit. 

The total value of your bicycle accident claim depends on many factors unique to your situation. Slominski Law thoroughly investigates each case to seek maximum compensation under Virginia law.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident

The actions you take during the first few days and weeks after your bicycle accident will significantly impact your ability to recover damages down the road. Here is what you need to do:

At the accident scene

• Call 911 and wait for police or EMS to arrive.
• Take photos of property damage, skid marks, injuries, and other details.
• Get witness names, numbers, and recorded statements.
• DO NOT discuss fault or apologize to anyone.

Medical care

• Get checked out by medical professionals even if you don’t feel hurt right away.
• Follow all doctors’ treatment plans; don’t skip appointments.
• Keep detailed records of diagnosis, treatment plans, medications, and other related expenses.

Maximizing your settlement with a lawyer

• Call Slominski Law as soon after the accident as possible.
• We can start gathering evidence, contacting insurers and protecting your rights immediately.

The sooner you involve Slominski Law after your bicycle crash, the better positioned we will be to build maximum value into your injury case.

Key Steps Involved in Bicycle Accident Claims and Lawsuits

With an experienced bicycle accident attorney handling your case, you can stay focused on your recovery while we manage the legal process. At Slominski Law, we are diligent and thorough in building bicycle crash claims. Our steps typically include:

Investigating your crash

• Obtain police reports, medical records, bicycle damage estimates, lost wage documentation, and other relevant records.
• Interview witnesses.
• Research the at-fault driver’s background and insurance coverage.
• Reconstruct the collision scene (weather, road conditions, sight lines, traffic controls, and more).

Calculating damages

• Add up current and estimated future medical bills.
• Determine income lost from having missed work.
• Assess impact on quality of life, household duties, relationships, and more.

Negotiating a settlement

• Send demand letters to insurers detailing your injuries, losses, and evidence.
• Hold settlement talks to make the case for maximum compensation.
• Insurers often initially offer low settlements, but we know how to assert the fair value.

Taking legal action

• If needed, file a personal injury lawsuit against the negligent party or parties.
• Complete depositions, discovery requests, negotiations, and settlement conferences.
• Prepare for trial if no acceptable settlement is reached.

Bicycle Accident in Virginia: FAQs

Do I need a lawyer for my bicycle crash claim?

While you have the right to handle your claim without legal representation, doing so is extremely risky. Insurance companies have teams of adjusters and attorneys working to minimize payouts. Without an accomplished lawyer fighting for you, odds are high that you will leave substantial money on the table.

What does “contingency fee” mean?

Slominski Law handles most bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay us nothing upfront. We only collect a fee if and when we obtain a settlement or court award in your favor. Our fee comes out of that financial recovery as a previously agreed-upon percentage. Contingency fee agreements ensure affordable access to justice for injury victims.

Can I still recover bicycle accident damages if I was partially at fault for causing the crash?

This can be challenging as Virginia follows the “contributory negligence” rule. Under this doctrine, if an injury claimant was partly at fault, they may lose their right to compensation. However, in specific circumstances, you may still be able to successfully claim. An experienced bicycle accident lawyer knows how to build the strongest case minimizing any finding of fault assigned to you.

What if the at-fault driver had no car insurance?

You may recover damages through the uninsured and underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) in your own auto policy. Our accomplished attorney at Slominski Law fully explores all avenues for compensation when negligent drivers lack adequate insurance.

Choose Slominski Law: Your Bicycle Accident Attorneys in Lynchburg & Roanoke

For personalized, caring legal help after a Virginia bicycle crash, turn to Slominski Law. To arrange a free consultation at our Lynchburg (434-205-9894) or Roanoke (540-307-8478) offices, contact us today. We proudly serve injured bicyclists and accident victims throughout Central and Western Virginia.