Indianapolis Bike Lane Accident Lawyer

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, Indianapolis has seen a dramatic increase in bicycle use on its streets. This trend aligns with a nationwide increase in cycling motivated by increased concerns for healthy lifestyles and environmentally friendly transportation.

The city has taken steps to keep cyclists safe, notably adding 21 miles of bike lanes to its streets in 2024. Even with these measures, biking in the city can be dangerous, as Indianapolis has seen an uptick in accidents between motorists and cyclists despite these safety measures.

Bike lanes are designed to reduce bicycle accidents, but incidents in these zones occur at an alarmingly high rate. Often preventable, bike lane collisions are life-altering for cyclists, causing severe injuries, emotional trauma, and financial hardships.

As the Indianapolis bike accident lawyer of choice, Vaughn A. Wamsley supports the city’s efforts to make our streets safer for everyone who uses them. That’s why we are dedicated to advocating for the rights of injured cyclists by holding negligent parties accountable and securing compensation to aid victims in their recovery.

Understanding Bike Lane Accidents in Indianapolis

While offering many benefits, bicycling on the same roads as motor vehicles presents some inherent dangers. In 2022, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported nearly 50,000 cyclists were injured in traffic accidents, including 1,105 fatalities.

This data supports the need for cities to try to make their roads safer for bicycle traffic. Many urban centers, like Indianapolis, have added bike lanes to keep cyclists safer. Despite being designed to keep riders safe, accidents in bike lanes are still too common, in part because, unlike bike paths, bike lanes are typically directly adjacent to motor vehicle traffic and pedestrians on foot.

Despite a recent emphasis on adding bike lanes to improve cyclist safety in Indianapolis, the city still has a long way to go. It has been rated in the bottom quarter of bicycling safety despite demonstrating progress in spending, legal policy, and emphasis on safety.

Reasons Bike Lane Accidents Occur in Indianapolis

Despite their design to enhance cyclists’ safety, bike line accidents are all too familiar in Indianapolis. Sadly, most of these incidents are preventable, as they are frequently caused by negligent drivers or poorly designed infrastructure.

Common causes of bike lane accidents in the city include:

• Driver Negligence – Motorists who fail to check for cyclists before turning or merging or carelessly drift into a bike lane often collide with cyclists.
• Dooring Indicents—When a vehicle’s door opens into a bike lane, it creates an extremely dangerous hazard for bikers, who may not have time to react to avoid a collision.
• Distracted Driving – Texting, talking on the phone, or other in-car distractions can cause a driver not to pay attention to cyclists.
• Impaired Driving – Drivers under the influence of alcohol or drugs put other motorists and cyclists at risk due to their impaired abilities to safely operate a motor vehicle
• Aggressive Driving – Impatient motorists are more likely to recklessly or deliberately drive unsafely into bike lines, creating dangerous risks for cyclists.
• Poorly Maintained Roads – Potholes, debris, or uneven pavement in bike lanes can cause cyclists to lose control of their vehicles. Similar car-lane conditions may force motor vehicles to swerve unsafely into bike lanes.

As Indianapolis’s most trusted bike lane accident attorney, Vaughn A. Wamsley, understands that most bike lane crashes are preventable. That is why we aim to hold all negligible parties accountable and fight on behalf of victims so that they are justly compensated for their needless suffering.

Indiana Laws Relevant to Bike Lane Accidents

Indiana recognizes the benefits of bicycling and supports cyclists’ safety through legislation. These laws guide both cyclists and motorists to keep the roads safe for everyone. They also provide the framework for determining fault and liability in the aftermath of a bike lane accident.

Important state laws relevant to these cases include:

• Safe Space for Bicycles – Motorists must leave at least three feet of space when overtaking a bicycle. Failure to abide by this regulation may make the vehicle driver liable in an accident with a cyclist.
• Comparative Fault Law – Indiana follows a modified comparative fault rule, which means that victims of an accident may claim damages if they are less than 51 percent at fault. Their compensation may be reduced by the percentage at which they are at fault.
• Statute of Limitations—Under Indiana law, personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the date of the accident.
• Damages Available – Accident victims may be compensated for medical care, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.

If you’ve been involved in a bike lane accident, the top-rated bicycle accident lawyer in Indianapolis, Vaughn A. Wamsley, is your go-to choice for legal counsel. Our caring and dedicated team will fight to protect your rights while pursuing maximum compensation for your suffering.

Vaughn Knows What You Are Going Through

You Don’t Pay Unless We Win

Time Is Not On Your Side After An Accident. Call Vaughn Wamsley NOW.

317-846-1080

What to Do After a Bike Lane Accident

The aftermath of a bike lane accident can be chaotic and overwhelming. However, the actions you take during this period are essential for your health and well-being, as well as providing support for any potential claim.

We recommend taking the following steps after an accident:

1. Call 911 – First responders will attend to any injured persons while police will begin collecting evidence to file a report.
2. Get Medical Attention – A trained medical expert can diagnose and treat apparent and non-apparent injuries and will log your medical condition after the accident.
3. Document the Scene – Take pictures of the accident scene, including any visible injuries, property damage, and conditions that may have contributed to the crash.
4. Collect Contact Information—Be sure to get the contact numbers of anyone involved in the accident, their insurance information, and any witnesses.
5. Contact a Bicycle Accident Lawyer—A bike lane accident attorney in Indianapolis can provide valuable guidance on protecting your legal rights following the incident.

We understand that you are likely to feel overwhelmed after a bicycle accident. That’s why we take pride in easing the burden by providing compassionate support that allows you to focus on your recovery.

How Vaughn A. Wamsley Supports Injured Cyclists

As an experienced bike lane accident attorney in Indianapolis, Vaughn A. Wamsley understands you need a trustworthy lawyer if you’ve been injured in a crash. We know what it takes to achieve favorable settlements and judgments for accident victims, evidenced by our long track record of success.

Our personalized and comprehensive approach ensures your case is positioned for a favorable outcome.

We assist you by:

• Investigating the Accident – We thoroughly investigate all the actions and circumstances that contributed to your accident by examining police and medical records, working with crash reconstruction experts, and interviewing witnesses.
• Determining Negligence and Damages to Pursue – Based on the evidence, we determine which parties’ negligence contributed to your accident and the damages to pursue to maximize your compensation.
• Negotiating with Insurance Companies—As experienced bike accident lawyers, we are fully equipped to negotiate with insurance companies to ensure that you get a fair settlement.
• Litigation, If Needed—If negotiation doesn’t yield a just settlement, we will be fully prepared to take your case to court. We have a strong record of earning favorable judgments for our clients.

Here at Vaughn A. Wamsley, we treat our clients like family. We keep you updated at every step of the process so that you understand what is happening with your case. If you have any questions, we’re always just a phone call away. Our personalized support lets you focus on your physical well-being after an accident.

Call Us Today

Your health and emotional well-being are paramount to us, and we fully support our clients in all aspects of their recovery. Our job is to make your recovery more manageable by taking the burden off you regarding the legal battles.

If you’re looking for a bicycle accident lawyer near me, look no further than Vaughn A. Wamsley. We offer the compassionate support victims need as an experienced bike accident attorney with the resources, knowledge, and determination to help you fight for the justice you deserve.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a bike lane accident, call us today for a free consultation.