Bicycling is an economically and environmentally friendly way to travel around Lincoln. It’s also a healthy lifestyle choice. While considering all the benefits of cycling in the city, riders must also consider the significant risks.
Bicyclists lack the protection of a car or truck, so even minor accidents can result in serious injuries or even death. Recent statistics from the Nebraska Department of Transportation (NDOT) reveal a 122% increase in bicycle fatalities across the state from 2019 to 2024.
If you were injured or lost a loved one after being struck on your bicycle, Friedman Law Offices is here to fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Lincoln
Bicycle accidents in Lincoln often happen because of someone’s negligence or reckless actions. Typically, these accidents involve other motor vehicles, making the impact devastating for the bicyclist. Some of the most common causes include:
- Distracted or Impaired Driving: When drivers are texting, talking on the phone, under the influence of drugs or alcohol, or not paying attention, they can easily miss a bicyclist in their path.
- Failure to Yield While Turning: Many drivers fail to yield to cyclists while making left or right turns, especially at intersections. These types of collisions are frequently reported in Lincoln.
- Dooring Accidents: In busy areas or downtown Lincoln, drivers and passengers may open car doors into the path of oncoming bicyclists without checking first. This can cause the cyclist to crash or swerve into traffic.
- Weather Conditions: Rain, snow, ice, or high winds can reduce visibility and traction, increasing the risk of accidents for both drivers and cyclists.
- Poor Roads: Potholes, uneven pavement, and poorly maintained bike lanes can cause cyclists to lose control or be forced into traffic to avoid hazards.
Catastrophic Injuries Can Result from Bicycle Accidents
When bicyclists are in an accident with a motor vehicle, the force of impact can result in catastrophic injuries that require long-term or lifelong medical care. Some of them include:
- Multiple Broken Bones and Fractures: Cyclists often use their arms and legs to brace for impact, which can lead to broken wrists, arms, ribs, or legs.
- Severe Road Rash and Abrasions: When cyclists are thrown from their bikes, they may slide across the pavement, which can be painful and cause infected abrasions or skin damage.
- Concussions or Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Even with a helmet, head injuries are common. TBIs can cause long-term memory loss, mood changes, and cognitive impairments.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: A serious fall or impact can damage the spinal damage— leading to partial or complete paralysis.
- Internal Injuries: Blunt force trauma can damage internal organs or cause internal bleeding. These injuries are not always immediately obvious and can be life-threatening without prompt medical intervention.
All of the above injuries can take a serious toll on the lives of victims—physically, emotionally, and financially. At Friedman Law Offices, we understand the catastrophic consequences of a bicycle accident, and we’re here to help.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Lincoln
If you’re ever in a bicycle accident, it’s understandable that you’d be in shock and not thinking about the appropriate steps to protect yourself. We hope you never need this advice, but we’ve seen enough devastation to know that following certain steps after any accident can make all the difference in your case. To the extent your injuries and the conditions around you allow, be sure to take the following steps after a bicycle accident:
Move out of the road and call 911. Your safety should be your top priority. If you’re able, move to a safe place and request emergency medical assistance and a police officer to document the crash.
Document the accident scene. Take photos and videos of your injuries, bicycle, vehicle involvement, location, and anything else that might be relevant. Of course, only attempt to do so if you can safely.
Exchange information. Get the driver’s name, contact details, license plate number, and insurance information. If there are witnesses, get their names and phone numbers as well.
Seek medical attention. Even if you feel okay, some injuries may not be immediately apparent, and sometimes, the shock of an accident can mask injuries. A medical record of your injuries right after the crash is essential for your health and helps link your injuries to the accident.
Contact a Lincoln bicycle accident attorney. An experienced lawyer like ours here at Friedman Law Offices can help you understand your legal rights, negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf, and fight for the compensation you need.
How Friedman Law Offices Can Assist
Friedman Law Offices has extensive experience fighting for injured clients throughout Nebraska. If you’ve been hurt in a bicycle crash, here’s how we can support your case:
- Evidence Collection: We gather critical evidence, including police and accident reports, photos and videos from the scene, medical records, and testimony from witnesses or accident reconstruction experts.
- Damages Assessment: Our team knows how to calculate the full extent of your losses, including:
- Medical expenses (current and future)
- Lost wages due to missed work
- Reduced earning capacity if you can’t return to your previous job
- Pain and suffering
- Damage to your bicycle and other personal property
- Insurance Negotiations: Insurance companies often offer low settlements or try to blame the cyclist for the accident. We handle all communication and push back against bad-faith tactics to secure a fair outcome.
- Trial Representation: If the insurance company won’t make a fair offer, we are fully prepared to take your case to court and fight for the maximum compensation you deserve.
We take care of every legal detail so you can focus on healing and moving forward.
Contact Us Today for Help with Your Lincoln Bicycle Accident
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident in Lincoln, don’t wait to reach out for help. Our team at Friedman Law Offices is ready to protect your rights and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Contact us today for a free consultation and to get started on your bicycle accident claim immediately.