Bicycle Accidents

After a bicycle accident, especially one involving a motor vehicle, your first priority is safety and medical care. If you are able, move out of traffic to a safe location and call 911 immediately. Even if injuries seem minor, cyclists often suffer internal injuries, head trauma, or spinal injuries that are not immediately obvious due to adrenaline.

Accept medical evaluation at the scene and follow up with a hospital or physician as soon as possible. Prompt medical care protects your health and creates critical documentation linking your injuries to the crash. Delays in treatment are often used by insurance companies to argue that injuries were not serious or were caused by something else.

If possible, gather information at the scene. Obtain the driver’s name, contact details, insurance information, and license plate number. Take photographs of the vehicles, your bicycle, road conditions, bike lanes, traffic signals, and your injuries. If witnesses saw the crash, collect their names and contact information, as independent witness statements can be extremely important.

Avoid discussing fault or making statements beyond basic facts. Do not apologize or speculate about what happened. Statements made at the scene or shortly afterward can be taken out of context and used against you later.

You should also avoid speaking with the driver’s insurance company until you understand your rights. Insurance adjusters often contact cyclists quickly and may attempt to obtain recorded statements or offer early settlements that do not reflect the true extent of injuries.

Speaking with a bicycle accident attorney early allows evidence to be preserved and protects you from common insurance tactics. At Trujillo Law Group, we step in quickly to manage communication, preserve evidence, and begin building a claim while you focus on recovery.

Liability in a bicycle accident depends on how the crash occurred and who failed to act responsibly. In many cases, the driver of a motor vehicle is at fault for failing to yield, making unsafe turns, speeding, or driving distracted. Drivers have a legal duty to watch for cyclists and share the road safely.

However, bicycle accident cases can involve additional responsible parties. A city or municipality may share liability if dangerous road conditions—such as poorly designed bike lanes, missing signage, potholes, or inadequate lighting—contributed to the crash. Property owners may also be responsible if unsafe conditions near driveways or parking areas played a role.

In some cases, a manufacturer may be liable if defective bicycle components, brakes, or safety equipment contributed to injuries. Rarely, another cyclist or pedestrian may share fault, particularly on shared-use paths.

Utah follows a comparative fault system, meaning fault can be shared among multiple parties. Insurance companies often attempt to argue that cyclists were partially responsible by claiming failure to obey traffic laws or visibility issues. Even if a cyclist shares some fault, compensation may still be available as long as they are not primarily responsible.

Determining liability requires a thorough investigation. At Trujillo Law Group, we analyze police reports, traffic footage, vehicle data, witness testimony, and roadway design to identify every responsible party and pursue all available sources of compensation.

Compensation in a bicycle accident case depends on the severity of injuries, the impact on daily life, and available insurance coverage. Victims may recover damages for medical expenses, rehabilitation, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of enjoyment of life.

Serious injuries often require ongoing care, adaptive equipment, or permanent lifestyle changes. A proper claim accounts for future medical needs and long-term consequences—not just current bills.

Insurance companies frequently attempt to undervalue bicycle accident claims by disputing injury severity or shifting blame to the cyclist. Early settlement offers often fail to reflect future costs.

We help clients understand the real value of their claim and negotiate for compensation that reflects both immediate and long-term harm. When necessary, we prepare cases for litigation to protect our clients’ interests.

Bicycle accident injuries are often severe because cyclists lack the protection of seatbelts, airbags, or a vehicle frame. Even low-speed collisions can cause life-changing harm. Common injuries include traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), concussions, spinal cord injuries, fractures, internal organ damage, and severe soft tissue injuries.

Head injuries are particularly common, even when a helmet is worn. Brain injuries may affect memory, concentration, mood, and the ability to work or function independently. Spinal injuries can cause chronic pain, limited mobility, or permanent paralysis.

Orthopedic injuries such as broken arms, legs, hips, or collarbones are frequent and often require surgery, physical therapy, and extended recovery periods. Road rash and soft tissue injuries may appear superficial but can lead to infections, scarring, and long-term sensitivity.

Many cyclists also suffer emotional and psychological trauma, including anxiety and post-traumatic stress. These injuries can interfere with daily activities and quality of life long after physical wounds heal.

Insurance companies often focus only on immediate treatment and minimize long-term effects. At Trujillo Law Group, we work with medical professionals to document the full scope of injuries, including future treatment needs, permanent limitations, and emotional harm.

Time is critical after a bicycle accident. Physical evidence such as skid marks, damaged equipment, and road conditions can disappear quickly. Traffic or security camera footage may be erased within days. Witness memories fade, and critical details can be lost.

Early legal involvement allows evidence to be preserved, witnesses to be contacted, and medical documentation to be properly connected to the accident. It also protects cyclists from insurance tactics designed to minimize or deny claims.

Deadlines apply to filing insurance claims and lawsuits, and missing them can prevent recovery entirely. Acting quickly ensures compliance with legal timelines and strengthens the case.

At Trujillo Law Group, we act promptly to protect evidence, manage insurer communication, and build strong cases from the start. Early guidance allows cyclists to focus on healing while we protect their rights and pursue fair compensation.