Indianapolis Lane Change Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Bicycling is an increasingly common form of transportation in Indianapolis. Cyclists enjoy this commuting method because it allows them to bypass vehicle traffic jams in the city while getting some exercise without adding additional emissions into the environment.

The downside of this trend is that the city also sees increased collisions between motor vehicles and bicycles. Over the past three years, nearly 2,000 bicyclists and pedestrians have been struck by motor vehicles, resulting in 130 fatalities. Many of these accidents have involved cars colliding with cyclists on the roadway.

Even just a quick lapse in judgment by a driver, particularly when changing lanes, can cause a catastrophic accident that upends the lives of cyclists and their families. Victims frequently suffer severe injuries that also result in tremendous emotional and financial strain.

As Indianapolis’s leading bike accident attorney, Vaughn A. Wamsley understands the burdens these incidents create. Our dedicated and compassionate team helps victims and their families move forward by holding negligent parties accountable and fighting for the compensation you deserve.

Lane Changes Dangers in Indianapolis

Nearly 50,000 cyclists are injured in the United States each year, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), and cyclists account for 2.6 percent of all traffic fatalities nationwide. The majority of these incidents occur in busy urban areas like Indianapolis.

Our city has taken steps to improve bicycle safety, adding 21 miles of designated bike lanes in 2024 alone. However, Indianapolis still ranks in just the 21st percentile of the safest cities for biking. Like other cities, Indianapolis’s crowded streets bring cars and bicycles into close proximity, but our city still has a long way to go to keep all users of the roads safe.

Due to this proximity between motor vehicles and bicycles, lane changes are dangerous for cyclists. The slightest oversight by a motorist, including the failure to signal, check blind spots, or a sudden merger, can quickly lead to a serious accident with a bicycle.

Without the protection a passenger has in a car, cyclists often suffer severe injuries in an accident. Injuries frequently include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, damage to internal organs, severe lacerations, and others, which require extensive hospital stays and ongoing medical care and rehabilitation.

As the leading Indianapolis lane change bicycle accident lawyer, Vaughn A. Wamsley understands that physical injuries are only part of the struggle victims face after these crashes. Accident victims also face emotional burdens along with mounting financial strife.

We strive to ease the aftermath of such devastating events by helping victims recover compensation for the challenges they unjustly are forced to endure.

What Causes Lane Change Bicycle Accidents in Indianapolis?

Lane change bicycle accidents are not simply caused by cyclists commuting on the road. In most cases, motorists’ errors lead to these devastating collisions. However, additional factors like road conditions and design may lead to such a collision.

Common causes of lane change bicycle accidents in Indianapolis include:

• Failure to Check Blind Spots – Drivers who fail to check for clearance, including their blind spots adequately, may negligently cause an accident with a bicycle.
• Distracted Driving – Texting or talking on a handheld phone is illegal in Indiana, as can other distractions that can cause a collision.
• Aggressive Driving – Impatient drivers may recklessly or intentionally swerve into a cyclist’s lane, colliding with them or forcing them off the road.
• Impaired Driving – Motorists who operate a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol are significantly more likely to cause an accident with a bicycle due to impaired judgment and reduced reaction time.
• Road Conditions – Poorly maintained roads with potholes or debris may cause drivers to swerve suddenly into a lane occupied by a bicycle. Poor road design or construction may also force cars and bikes into unsafe merging areas.

As the top-rated bicycle accident lawyer in Indianapolis, Vaughn A. Wamsley advocates for your rights by identifying all negligent parties and fights for maximum compensation to ensure that you are fairly compensated for damages suffered due to someone else’s negligence.

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

Indiana Has Laws to Protect Cyclists

Indiana has shown continued improvement in protecting cyclists through legislation designed to increase safety. These laws guide motorists and cyclists to make the state’s roadways safer for everyone who uses them. Additionally, these regulations provide the legal framework for determining fault and negligence in a lane change bicycle accident.

Relevant state laws include:

• Bicycles Are Vehicles—According to Indiana law, bicycles are legally permitted to use public roads. Cyclists are afforded the same right-of-way rules as cars and must follow all rules of the road, just as motor vehicles are required to.
• Safe Passing Distance – Enacted in 2019, state law requires vehicles to leave at least three feet of space when passing a bicycle. Failure to abide by this regulation is common in lane change incidents.
• Contributory Negligence Law – Indiana follows a modified comparative fault rule, which states that accident victims may file for damages if they are less than 51 percent at fault in the incident. Compensation may be reduced by the percentage at which the victim contributed to the crash.
• Statute of Limitations: Indiana law requires personal injury claims to be filed within two years of the accident date.
• Damages Available –  Victims may be compensated for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and punitive damages.

As your Indianapolis lane change bicycle accident lawyer, Vaughn A. Wamsley helps you navigate the complex legal issues related to your incident. We know how to prove negligence to help you receive fair compensation for the damages you suffered.

We Help Uphold the Law for You

As the top-rated bicycle accident lawyer in Indianapolis, Vaughn A. Wamsley champions the rights of cyclists and is driven by the need to make our roads safer for everyone who uses our city’s streets, especially cyclists.

We fight for justice and work tirelessly to hold negligent parties accountable to secure maximum compensation for lane change bicycle accidents. Our personalized and comprehensive approach ensures that you are updated at every step and know that your claim will be strong and supported by a detailed investigation of the circumstances of your incident.

Our approach includes:

1. Thorough Investigation – Our dedicated team investigates every aspect of your accident by evaluating the evidence, including police and medical records, witness testimony, and photographs and video footage.
2. Establishing Negligence – Based on the evidence, we determine which parties’ negligence contributed to your crash.
3. Documenting Your Losses – We calculate all your losses, including medical bills, lost and reduced wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and punitive damages, to determine what constitutes fair compensation for your hardships.
4. Negotiating With Insurance Companies – We negotiate with insurance companies to produce a settlement that fully compensates you for all your damages.
5. Litigation—If negotiating fails to produce a just settlement, we will be prepared to take your claim to court. We have an exceptional record of achieving favorable judgments on behalf of our clients.

If you’ve been involved in a bicycle accident involving a lane change, you deserve to find a bicycle accident lawyer near me that you can trust to secure results on your behalf. You’ll find that at Vaughn A. Wamsley, where our passionate team is driven by achieving justice for our clients.

Why Vaughn A. Wamsley Is Indianapolis’s Most Trusted Bike Accident Attorney

Lane change bicycle accidents can permanently alter the lives of victims and their families, causing severe injuries, emotional trauma, and financial hardships. In your team of need, Vaughn A. Wamsley is the advocate you want on your side.

We offer personalized attention to each client and case, treating each individual as a family member. We are committed to improving our community’s safety and holding negligent drivers accountable so that cyclists can enjoy our roads without worry.

Our team is your partner in recovery, and we are driven to achieve results that uphold justice while enabling you to move forward with your life and receive the compensation you deserve.

If you or a loved one has been involved in a lane-change bicycle accident, contact us today to learn how we can help you recover.