If you suffered a serious injury or lost a loved in a bicycle accident in Indianapolis, you should know your legal rights. You may be entitled to substantial monetary compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, among other damages. When evaluating personal injury claims involving transportation, cyclists and their interests are often given the short end of the stick. We at Hankey Marks & Crider, however, believe that people who choose to ride bicycles are entitled to the same rights as those in motor vehicles. Our team of Indianapolis bicycle accident lawyers works hard to protect the rights of cyclists who have been injured in accidents caused by the negligence of others. A personal injury lawyer at Hankey Marks & Crider will thoroughly review the details of your case and will help you navigate the legal process.
Since 1975, the personal injury attorneys at Hankey Marks & Crider has represented thousands of people in Indianapolis and all over the state of Indiana. We’ve earned a national reputation for our verdicts, settlements, and unmatched expertise in the complex areas of personal injury law. Our attorneys have been listed as part of the Top 40 Under 40 National Trial Lawyers, were noted as Rising Stars in 2016 by Super Lawyers and have an AVVO Rating of 10.0 Superb.
For more than 43 years, Hankey Marks & Crider has been a fixture in the Indianapolis community. We perceive the people we represent as much more than just clients, they’re our friends and neighbors. We will work diligently to protect the rights of Indianapolis residents who suffer injustices in a bicycle accident as a result of someone else’s negligence. Hankey Marks & Crider is dedicated to upholding three essential tenets: experience, compassion, and justice. We provide a free and confidential initial consultation to all our first-time clients. We now offer a new service to reach more people in the community. For those who are unable to come to our office, we will come to you and conduct an initial consultation from your home. Contact us by clicking the grey banner to the left of your screen to chat with a member of our skilled legal team, fill out our email form, or call us at (317) 634-8565.
Do I Need a Personal Injury Lawyer?
Bicycle accidents can be devastating for victims and their families. After a serious injury, you’re likely to have many questions. How will I pay my expensive medical bills? I am unable to perform my job as a result of my accident, how will I make ends meet? Who is responsible for the damage? One question that should always have a surefire answer is whether you need an attorney. That answer is yes.
As the injured party, you may be entitled to compensation to cover some of the costs you’ve incurred through the fault of someone else’s negligence. This includes physical therapy, lost wages, medical bills, pain and suffering and other damages. Nonetheless, you’re unlikely to receive the full and fair compensation you deserve without a skilled lawyer to represent you. Often, those who pursue a bicycle accident claim without the legal representation of a lawyer often receive much less monetary compensation than those who enter into the process with an attorney. For these reasons, we highly recommend you pursue the legal representation of a skilled personal injury lawyer.
The legal process can be exceptionally difficult to journey through alone. Let the skilled legal staff of Hankey Marks & Crider handle the paperwork, phone calls, and negotiations so that you and your family can recover and move forward with peace of mind. Our initial conversations are free and you’re guaranteed to receive compassionate and sincere care throughout the entire legal process.
Why choose Hankey Marks & Crider to handle my case?
If you need a personal injury lawyer in Indianapolis, you certainly have a number of firms to choose from. How do you know which firm is right for your case? How do you know that a lawyer will handle your case effectively and efficiently? The fact remains that not all personal injury lawyers are able to deliver the same high level of legal services. Choosing the right lawyer who aligns with your values may determine the outcome of your case. These are some of the factors that set Hankey Marks & Crider apart:
Experience: Hankey Marks & Crider was founded in Indianapolis in 1975. Few firms in Indiana can claim that kind of longevity and experience. Our partners have over 75 years of combined experience representing people in the state of Indiana.
Our award-winning team: The personal injury lawyers at Hankey Marks & Crider has garnered a national reputation for their work on behalf of injured victims. Our attorneys have been listed as part of the Top 40 Under 40 National Trial Lawyers, were noted as Rising Stars in 2016 by Super Lawyers, and have an AVVO Rating of 10.0 Superb. Charles D. Hankey was listed as one of the Top 100 Lawyers by the ASLA in 2014, has an AVVO rating of 8.8 and is an active member of many professional associations including the American Association for Justice, the Public Justice Foundation for 25 years and is recognized as a diplomat by the National College of Advocacy. James M. DuBach was recognized by the American Institute of Personal Injury Attorneys as one of the “10 Best” in 2014 for client satisfaction and has an AVVO rating of 7.6.
Risk Factors in Indianapolis Cycling Accidents
Because bicycles are lightweight and provide virtually no protection in the event of a collision, cyclists are at greater risk of serious injury or death in accidents than people riding in passenger automobiles. Although some cycling injuries are minor, like cuts, scrapes, and bruises, others are more serious, including broken bones, paralysis, disability, brain/head injuries, and death.
An experienced cycling accident lawyer understands that cyclists must do without seat belts, air bags, or other protective features offered by enclosed vehicles, relying only on their helmet and elbow/knee pads to prevent injury. Unfortunately, while such protective gear may be effective in minor spills or falls, it is much less effective in a serious accident involving much larger, heavier, and faster vehicles.
Because of such factors, successfully handling an Indianapolis bicycle accident injury claim differs significantly from handling a car accident claim. In order to understand exactly what occurred, an attorney must be able to see the incident from the point of view of both the cyclist and any other drivers involved – a task which the professionals at Hankey Marks & Crider willingly accept.
Bicycle Accident Statistics
The Center for Disease Control reported that over 1,000 bicyclists died in the US in 2015 and there were nearly 476,000 bicycle-related injuries. Fatal and non-fatal injuries to bicyclists in 2010 “resulted in lifetime medical costs and productivity losses of $10 billion.” The CDC reported that “adults aged 50 to 59 years have the highest bicycle death rates while children (5-14 years) and adolescents (15-19 years) have the highest rates of nonfatal bicycle-related injuries, accounting for more than one-third of all bicycle-related injuries seen in U.S. emergency departments.” Men are injured four times more often than women and die six times more often. The majority of deaths occur in “urban areas and at non-intersection locations.”
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that in 2015, there were 818 pedalcyclist deaths in 2015, which was 2.3% of all traffic fatalities. The fatality rate per million people was six times higher for males than females according to NHTSA as well. More pedalcyclist fatalities occurred between the hours of 6:00 pm – 8:50 pm than another time of day in Winter, Spring, Summer, and Fall. Most accidents occurred on the weekend. Of single-vehicle crashes, 318 pedalcyclists were killed by passenger cars and 352 were killed by light trucks. In 2015 there were 12 pedalcyclist fatalities which accounted for 1.5% of total traffic fatalities. The NHTSA offers a safety spotlight video for bike riding safety that can be seen here.
The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute reported that there were nine bicyclist fatalities in Indiana in 2015. The Pedestrian and Bicyclists Program Manager who oversees safety initials promoted education and enforcement of laws for bicyclists. Safety programs for bicycle safety are implemented throughout the state of Indiana and reached 450 students, teachers and parents in 2015.
Contact Hankey Marks & Crider
The personal injury lawyers of Hankey Marks & Crider are deeply sympathetic towards bicycle accident victims. We know the families and friends of those affected share the trauma and anxiety of the suffering victims. Each member of legal staff understands how difficult the months and even years following a serious bicycle accident can be. That is why for more than 43 years our attorneys have dedicated their careers to making sure our clients feel well taken care of and that they receive the results they deserve.
We encourage you to read our articles by Melissa Davidson where she discusses Bicycle Safety and Accident Prevention. If you or your loved ones have been hurt while riding a bicycle, you need an Indianapolis bicycle accident attorney who will treat you with respect and strive to understand your point of view. Contact us by clicking the grey banner to the left of your screen to chat with a member of our skilled legal team, fill out our email form, or call us at (317) 634-8565.