Pedestrian and Bicyclist Accident Lawyers

Representing Injured Pedestrians and Bicyclists

Pedestrians and bicyclists are vulnerable to traffic-related injuries. Each year tens of thousands of pedestrians and bicyclists are injured in motor vehicle accidents across the United States. Despite efforts to make cities more bicycle and pedestrian-friendly, thousands of people are killed in preventable roadway crashes.

The partners at Bishop & Hayes, P.C. have half of a century of combined experience assisting traffic accident victims. Auto accident recovery is our sole area of practice, so we fully focus our skills, knowledge, and resources on this exclusive area of law. If you or a loved one has been seriously injured in a bicycle or pedestrian accident, contact our office to book a free consultation.

Traffic-Related Pedestrian and Cyclist Injuries

Pedestrians and bicyclists do not stand a chance when hit by a motor vehicle. In virtually every case, serious injuries occur. 1 in 7 pedestrian traffic accidents results in death. The reasons for the high fatality rate are obvious: a midsize sedan weighs an average of two tons, and an SUV may be as heavy as three tons. 

Common injuries in pedestrian and bicycle accidents include:

  • Spinal cord damage
  • Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
  • Bone fractures
  • Facial and hand lacerations
  • Amputations
  • Disfigurement
  • Wrongful death

Even a vehicle traveling at relatively low speeds through a residential neighborhood or downtown will hit a pedestrian with enormous force, likely resulting in serious injury. A vehicle traveling at over 30 mph that collides with a pedestrian or cyclist overwhelming results in catastrophic injury or death. Pedestrians and bicyclists are at an extreme disadvantage since they have little or no protection to absorb or deflect the crash.

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accident Statistics

According to the Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), over 5,000 pedestrians and 800 bicyclists are killed in traffic accidents each year. 

The most recent data available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates:

  • From 2017-2018 there was a 3.4% increase in the number of pedestrians killed in traffic accidents (6,283 in 2018 compared to 6,075 in 2017).
  • On average, a pedestrian is killed in a traffic accident every 84 minutes.
  • 17% of all traffic-related pedestrian fatalities were children aged 14 and younger.
  • Almost 1 in 5 fatal pedestrian accidents involved a hit-and-run driver.
  • Alcohol involvement was reported in 37% of all fatal bicyclist crashes in 2018.
  • 857 bicyclists were killed in motor vehicle accidents in 2018, accounting for 2.3% of all traffic fatalities.

Pedestrian and bicyclist fatalities account for 16% of all fatal motor vehicle accidents in the country. An additional 65,000 pedestrians and 48,000 suffer injury as a result of roadway crashes. Unfortunately, these numbers continue to climb. 

Insurance Coverage Matters Affecting Injured Pedestrians

Pedestrians are the most likely victim to sustain serious injuries in a traffic crash. They are also the most likely to have trouble with insurance coverage issues. 

Pedestrians injured in traffic accidents often ask:

  • Which insurance policies apply?
  • What compensation are you entitled to under each policy?
  • What happens if the driver fled? 
  • Who will pay for my injuries?
  • How do I get medical treatment?
  • What if I can’t afford the treatment I need?

At Bishop & Hayes, we can help determine the answers and get you the help you need. Our experienced pedestrian and bicycle accident lawyers will give your case the attention it deserves. We have a proven track record of success in obtaining high settlements and trial verdicts. When you are hurt, you need experience you can trust.

Pedestrian Accidents Involving a Hit and Run Driver

A hit-and-run driver is treated as uninsured for purposes of damages recovery. Even if the driver is caught, he or she may have no insurance or assets. In most cases, we turn to your own insurance policy for compensation. If the driver fled the scene, your uninsured motorist coverage kicks in. 

While negotiating with the insurance company, our lawyers also deal with the hospital and doctors who treated you after the accident. We are often able to reduce medical bills so that the compensation you recover from the insurance company or in a civil lawsuit does not all go toward medical bills, and you are not saddled with debt because of the accident.

Recover Compensation After a Pedestrian or Bicycle Accident

You have a right to walk, run, skate and bicycle on the roads of Missouri, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Arkansas, and you should be able to cross the street safely. Motorists present the largest hazards to cyclists and pedestrians. Bishop & Hayes, P.C. can help you recover compensation from the negligent driver who injured you or a loved one. 

If you were a bicyclist or pedestrian struck by a motorist, contact us today to learn more about filing a claim. Your first consultation is free, and we handle your claim on a contingency basis. You pay no fees unless we win. Call our office at (417) 862-5544 to speak with a partner at the firm. 

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If you've been injured due to another's negligence, you are entitled to compensation. At Bishop & Hayes you don't pay a dime unless we win your case. Our primary focus is auto accident law, which allows us to concentrate our efforts towards getting our clients the best results possible for our clients. 

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