Sioux Falls Bicycle Accident Attorney

Understanding Bicycle Accidents in Sioux Falls

Sioux Falls bicycle accidents can cause serious personal injuries, especially in traffic or poor weather. When a crash involves a motor vehicle, injured cyclists may have the right to seek compensation for medical bills, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damages.

At Beardsley, Jensen & Lee, we help bicycle accident victims pursue claims and deal with the legal and insurance issues that follow a crash. Our team provides direct guidance, builds strong cases, and works to recover compensation for both current and future losses.

Speak with our Sioux Falls bicycle accident lawyer to understand your legal options after a serious crash. Call (605) 777-7466 today to get the guidance and support you need.

Many crashes happen on busy streets near downtown Sioux Falls and other high-traffic roads. Injured riders may need treatment at Avera McKennan Hospital or Sanford USD Medical Center while also dealing with insurance companies. Our bicycle accident attorney can help gather records, document injuries, and make sure your claim reflects the full impact of the accident.

Common Causes & Risks of Bicycle Accidents in Sioux Falls

Bicycle accidents in Sioux Falls often happen because drivers, road conditions, or weather create dangerous situations for riders. Identifying the cause of the crash is important because it can affect who is liable and what compensation may be available.

• Distracted driving: Drivers who are texting, using apps, or not paying attention may fail to see bicyclists in time to avoid a collision.
• Poor road conditions: Potholes, loose debris, damaged pavement, and poorly marked bike lanes can make riding more dangerous and increase the risk of a crash.
• Weather conditions: Rain, snow, ice, and low visibility can make roads harder to navigate for both cyclists and drivers.
• Failure to yield: Many bicycle accidents happen when drivers do not yield at intersections, crosswalks, driveways, or while turning.

In some cases, fault is not immediately clear, especially in crashes involving multiple vehicles or busy intersections. A Sioux Falls bicycle accident attorney can review police reports, traffic footage, witness statements, and other evidence to determine what happened and pursue accountability from the responsible party.

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries

Bicycle accidents in Sioux Falls can cause serious injuries, especially when a cyclist is hit by a vehicle or thrown onto the road. Some injuries are immediately visible, while others may not fully appear until hours or days later.

Common bicycle accident injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injuries: Bicycle crashes can cause concussions and other head injuries, even when a rider is wearing a helmet.
• Broken bones: Cyclists often suffer fractures to the wrists, arms, legs, ribs, collarbone, or hips.
• Road rash: Contact with pavement can cause painful skin abrasions that may lead to infection or scarring.
• Spinal cord injuries: A crash can result in back trauma, herniated discs, or more serious spinal injuries.
• Neck injuries: The impact of a collision may cause whiplash or other neck injuries.
• Internal injuries: Internal bleeding or organ damage may not be obvious right away but can be serious.
• Facial and dental injuries: Bicycle accidents can cause broken teeth, jaw injuries, facial fractures, and cuts.
• Soft tissue injuries: Sprains, strains, torn ligaments, and muscle injuries are also common after a crash.

Prompt medical care is important after a bicycle accident, even if the injury seems minor at first. Medical records can also help document the full extent of your injuries for your claim.

Steps to Take Following a Bicycle Accident

Knowing the right actions to take following a bicycle accident can significantly impact your ability to secure compensation. 

Here’s what you should do:

• Ensure Safety: Move to a safe location and call 911 immediately, even if injuries seem minor.
• Collect Information: Gather contact and insurance information from the involved parties. Also, take note of weather conditions and any road hazards that may have contributed to the accident.
• Document the Scene: Take photos of the accident scene, vehicle damage, and any visible injuries. These visuals can be pivotal when negotiating claims or presenting evidence in court.
• Avoid Admissions of Fault: Refrain from discussing fault with drivers or bystanders. Focus on the facts and let legal professionals assess who might be liable.
• Seek Medical Attention: Obtain a thorough medical examination to record all injuries. Even if you feel fine, some injuries are not immediately apparent and documenting them early can protect your rights.
• Contact a Bicycle Accident Lawyer: Our team at Beardsley, Jensen & Lee can provide the guidance you need. We help ensure that you understand every step of the process and make informed decisions about your claim.

As you move forward, keep copies of medical records, repair estimates for your bike, and any correspondence from insurance companies so your bicycle accident attorney has a complete picture of your losses. If your crash happened in Sioux Falls but the at-fault driver lives in another part of South Dakota or a neighboring state, we can help you understand how local laws and insurance rules may affect your claim and guide you on whether a lawsuit should be filed in Minnehaha County or another appropriate court.

Determining Liability in Sioux Falls Bicycle Accidents

What Compensation Can You Recover After a Bicycle Accident in Sioux Falls?

A bicycle accident in Sioux Falls can leave you with financial, physical, and emotional losses that go far beyond the initial emergency treatment. If another party caused the crash, you may be able to recover compensation for both the immediate impact of the accident and the long-term ways it affects your life.

Compensation in a Sioux Falls bicycle accident claim may include:

• Medical expenses: This can include emergency care, hospital bills, surgery, follow-up visits, physical therapy, medication, and other necessary treatment.
• Future medical costs: If your injuries require ongoing care, rehabilitation, assistive devices, or additional procedures, those projected costs may also be included in your claim.
• Lost wages: If your injuries forced you to miss work while recovering, you may be able to seek compensation for that lost income.
• Loss of future earning capacity: When a serious injury affects your ability to return to your job or earn at the same level as before, that loss may be part of your damages.
• Pain and suffering: Compensation may be available for the physical pain, discomfort, and limitations caused by the accident and your injuries.
• Emotional distress: A serious bicycle crash can also lead to anxiety, trauma, stress, sleep problems, or other emotional harm.
• Property damage: You may be able to recover the cost to repair or replace your bicycle, helmet, phone, clothing, and other damaged personal property.
• Permanent injury or disability: If the accident leaves you with lasting impairments, scarring, or reduced mobility, your claim should reflect those long-term consequences.

The value of a bicycle accident claim depends on the severity of the injuries, the cost of treatment, the time missed from work, and how the crash affects your daily life moving forward. South Dakota also follows a comparative negligence rule that can reduce recovery if the injured person is found at fault, and recovery may be barred if the cyclist’s fault is more than slight compared with the defendant’s negligence.

How Long Do You Have to File a Bicycle Accident Claim in South Dakota?

In South Dakota, personal injury claims are generally subject to a three-year deadline. That means an injured bicyclist usually has three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party.

Important timing issues may include:

• General injury claims: Most bicycle accident injury claims follow the three-year filing deadline. 
• Claims against a public entity: If your crash involves a government agency or public employee, written notice may need to be given within 180 days of the injury, and different lawsuit deadlines may apply. 
• Claims against the State of South Dakota: Tort claims against the state are subject to a one-year deadline. 

Missing a deadline can seriously affect your ability to recover compensation, no matter how strong the underlying claim may be. Because the correct deadline can depend on who caused the crash and where it happened, it is important to have a bicycle accident attorney review the case as soon as possible.

Do not let the insurance company control the outcome of your case. Contact our Sioux Falls bicycle accident lawyer today for help building a strong claim.