Grand Rapids Bicycle Accident Attorney

Personal Injury Lawyer for Bicyclists in Kent, Ottawa, and Muskegon Counties

Biking is a popular activity and means of transportation throughout West Michigan and within Grand Rapids, where 32 percent of the city's Downtown residents bike or walk to work on a regular basis. Grand Rapids has made conscious strides to improve bikeability in recent years, but unfortunately, bicycle accidents still happen. Each year in Michigan, dozens of bicyclists are killed and hundreds are injured in accidents with motor vehicles, leaving them and their families to cope with medical expenses and difficult recoveries in the aftermath.

If you have been injured in a bicycle accident and another driver was at fault, a personal injury attorney can help you get the compensation you need to aid in your recovery. John D. Tallman, Attorney at Law, has almost 40 years of experience representing injury victims in all kinds of car accidents, and he is committed to understanding the details of your case and working with you from start to finish to achieve a fair outcome, while only collecting payment from you after a successful settlement or verdict.

Preventing Bike Accident Injuries in West Michigan

A substantial number of accidents between bicycles and motor vehicles happen because a driver fails to notice or yield to a bicyclist. Accidents are common at night and when visibility is low, when cars and bicycles try to navigate an intersection at the same time, and when cars do not allow enough distance when passing bicycles.

As a bicyclist, there are several things you can do to lower your risk of accidents and injuries, including:

• Wear a helmet. Though it is not required under Michigan law, wearing a helmet when biking gives you the best chance at avoiding traumatic brain injuries or death.
• Follow traffic laws. Bicyclists should travel on the right side of the road in the same direction as other traffic, and clearly signal the intention to turn or slow down. Failure to do so can increase your risk of involvement in an accident and may make you partially at fault, which could reduce your compensation if you are injured.
• Make yourself visible. In Michigan, bicyclists riding at night are required to have a white light on the front of the bike and a red reflector on the rear. Additional reflectors and brightly colored clothing are also recommended.
• Practice safe biking. Get comfortable riding your bike in a low-traffic area before taking it on the road. Make sure your bike is the right size for you and that you keep it in good working order. Drive defensively and always pay close attention to your surroundings.

What to Do If You Are Injured in a Grand Rapids Bicycle Accident

Even with your best efforts, you may still be injured in an accident due to another driver's negligence. When this is the case, you should try to collect photographic evidence from the accident and identify witnesses, seek immediate medical attention, and hire a personal injury attorney who can help you make your case for compensation for damages resulting from your injuries.

Because bicycles are not motor vehicles, bicyclists are often not eligible for their own coverage under Michigan's no-fault auto insurance law, so they usually must seek compensation for economic damages from the no-fault policies of other drivers involved in the accident. If no-fault insurance is insufficient to cover your damages, your best option may be to file a lawsuit against the at-fault party. Our attorney can help you continue to gather the evidence you need to prove a driver's liability, and we will represent you in settlement negotiations or trial litigation to pursue full compensation for your medical expenses, lost wages, and any additional pain and suffering damages.

Contact a Kent County Bicycle Accident Attorney

Getting injured in a bicycle accident is difficult enough, so we want to help make your legal battle more manageable and work for the compensation you need. Contact us today at 616-361-8850 for a free consultation. We serve clients in Grand Rapids, Holland, Muskegon, Grand Haven, and throughout Kent County, Ottawa County, and Muskegon County.