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Oklahoma City Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Strong advocacy for bicycle riders and families when walkers are struck by cars
There are many beautiful places to bicycle in and around Oklahoma City – the Grand Street Bike Trail, the Oklahoma River Trail, and many other locations. Riders in Oklahoma City enjoy bicycles for exercise, the landscapes, visiting friends, and running errands. Children enjoy bicycles for the independence and the fun they bring.
All these pleasures can end in an instant if a car or truck driver isn’t paying attention. Bicycle injuries are often permanent. Many Oklahoma City bike accidents cause catastrophic injuries or deaths. At Cunningham & Mears, our Oklahoma City bicycle accident lawyers are skilled at showing why a vehicle driver failed to see you or failed to respect your right to be on the road. We file personal injury actions on behalf of riders and wrongful death actions on behalf of the families of any rider who dies in a bicycle crash.
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How can we help?
- How often do bicycle accidents occur?
- Why do bicycle accidents happen in Oklahoma City?
- What laws regulate bicycle riding in Oklahoma?
- What types of injuries do bicycle riders suffer in an accident in Oklahoma City?
- Who is responsible for a bicycle accident in Oklahoma City?
- How much is my bicycle accident claim worth?
- How can drivers and bicycle riders avoid bicycle accidents?
- Do you have an Oklahoma City bicycle accident lawyer near me?
How often do bicycle accidents occur?
Many drivers fail to respect the right of bicycle riders to be on the road. Drivers often fail to even know there’s a rider nearby. According to the National Safety Council (NSC), in 2021, 853 riders (mostly males) died in vehicle crashes. The summertime months had the most accidents.
The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office reported 12 deaths, 22 serious injuries, and 269 accidents involving vehicles and bicycle riders.
Why do bicycle accidents happen in Oklahoma City?
Negligence and carelessness are the leading causes of bicycle accidents in Oklahoma. At Cunningham & Mears, our Oklahoma City bicycle accident lawyers are skilled at showing that the car or truck accident that injured you or killed your loved one was due to:
- Failure to respect the right of the bicycle rider to be on the road
- Failure to stop at crosswalks
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Hitting bicycles being ridden on the shoulder of the road
- Distracted driving, including texting, using a cell phone, looking at a GPS, or eating while driving
- Failure to slow down in residential neighborhoods
- Speeding, running through red lights, and other traffic violations
- Drunk driving or driving while impaired by drugs
- Failure to back out into a street without looking
What laws regulate bicycle riding in Oklahoma?
Under Oklahoma’s laws, both cyclists and drivers must follow specific bicycle safety laws.
Rules for bicyclists
Oklahoma law and the Oklahoma City Bicycle Ordinance require that bicyclists obey the same traffic laws as drivers. Bicycles must have proper brakes. They must have front and back lights if a rider is riding at night. There are specific requirements for the types of lights required and their visibility levels. Bicycle riders may be required to ride in certain lanes and must ride at “reasonable speeds.” Bicycle riders in Oklahoma City cannot ride on sidewalks in business districts. Bicycle riders must ride on the right side of the road if they are riding at a speed lower than the traffic flow
While Oklahoma does not require that bicycle riders wear a helmet, wearing a helmet is advisable.
Rules for motorists
Drivers of cars, trucks, and other vehicles must:
- Respect the right of the bicycle rider to be on the road
- Ensure that there is enough space to pass properly
- Grant bicycle riders the same right-of-way
- Prevent “dooring” by checking for bicycle riders before opening a door
- Be especially careful at intersections
What types of injuries do bicycle riders suffer in an accident in Oklahoma City?
Even when you’re wearing a helmet, being hit by a car, truck, or motorcycle can put your life in danger. Our Oklahoma bicycle accident lawyers represent cyclists who have sustained serious, even life-threatening injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries and head trauma
- Paralysis and other spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic amputations/loss of limbs
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Simple, compound, complex, and other types of fractures/broken bones
- Wrongful death
Who is responsible for a bicycle accident in Oklahoma City?
Bicycle riders and the families of loved ones who are killed in Oklahoma City bicycle accidents can file claims against all responsible parties including:
- A driver
- An employer of a driver
- The owner of a car if different than the driver – such as parents who own the car their child drove negligently
- A provider/seller of alcohol to a minor or someone who was noticeably intoxicated if the person served/sold alcohol caused the bicycle accident
- Manufacturers of defective auto or bicycle parts
- Companies that repair bicycles improperly
How much is my bicycle accident claim worth?
At Cunningham & Mears, we understand that once you settle your claim, there’s no do-over. That’s why we work with your doctors and our network of doctors to verify your injuries, understand all the different types of medical treatments and care you will need for the rest of your life, and all the ways your injuries affect your work, family, and daily living. We also work with your employers to understand how much money you’re losing and may lose permanently, and all the ways your quality of life is diminished.
Whether we settle your claim or bring your case to a jury, we demand compensation for your current and future:
- Medical bills including ER care, hospitalizations, surgeries, rehabilitative care, psychological help, assistive devices, and medications
- Lost income and lost benefits
- Physical pain and suffering
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of function
- Loss of life’s pleasures
- Loss of consortium (marital enjoyment)
- Property damage
We also file wrongful death actions for the family’s:
- Funeral and burial costs
- Loss of financial support
- Loss of personal guidance, support, society, and love
- Personal grief
In egregious cases, we seek punitive damages.
How can drivers and bicycle riders avoid bicycle accidents?
The following National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tips can help you stay safe when riding a bicycle in Oklahoma City:
- Wear a proper fitting helmet
- Ride a bicycle that fits your size
- Regularly inspect your bicycle and bicycle tires
- Wear clothing that makes you visible, such as bright clothing and reflective gear
- Use bike reflectors
- Use a white front light and a red rear light
- Know when to yield
- Ride one person per seat
- Ride with both hands on the handlebars
- Tuck and tie your shoelaces and pant legs so they don’t get caught in the spokes or bicycle chain
- Plan your route
- Ride with the flow of traffic
- Obey the street signs
- Don’t text, listen to music, or do anything that will distract your focus and ability to respond to emergencies
- Drive where you’re expected to be seen
- “Avoid or minimize sidewalk riding”
- Look for cars backing out of driveways or turning
Drivers should:
- Yield to bicyclists just like they would do for other drivers
- Search your surroundings in parking lots, at stop signs, when backing up, or when parking
- Be careful when turning right on red
- Follow the speed limit
- Give cyclists room and don’t pass too closely
- Avoid distractions
Do you have an Oklahoma City bicycle accident lawyer near me?
Cunningham & Mears has two very accessible offices in Oklahoma City:
- Our first is located at 5104 N Francis Ave., Suite 102. We’re just four minutes from Penn Square Mall.
- Our second is located at 9428 Westgate, Suite 102B, in the Brookhaven West part of Oklahoma City. We’re just a short walk from Resurrection Cemetery. We’re just off the Northwest Expressway.
Clients can also reach us by public transportation. We also meet clients through video conferences. If you are too ill or immobile, our Oklahoma City bicycle accident lawyers will meet you at your home or in the hospital.
We’ve been fighting for bicycle accident victims for more than 30 years. Our strong record of successful settlements and verdicts is known throughout Oklahoma City.
Speak with an experienced Oklahoma City bicycle accident lawyer now
At Cunningham & Mears, our Oklahoma City personal injury lawyers move quickly to investigate how the accident happened, and to review your medical status to be sure you’re seeing the doctors and healthcare providers you need to see. We understand the unique challenges involved in bicycle accident cases. To learn more about how we can provide you with individualized service and strong advocacy, call us or contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation. We handle bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis.
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