Memphis Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Our Commitment To Injured Bicyclists

Here at Patterson Bray, our team of dedicated and compassionate bicycle accident lawyers in Memphis have been striving to protect the rights of bicyclists for years. We understand that as a rider, you may be going through an excruciating healing process after such an impact. Additionally, we know that you may be dealing with a substantial financial loss, on top of everything else. You should know that our team is here to help you get through this very distressing situation and answer any questions you have along the way.

Most Common Perpetrator: The Vehicle Driver

Anyone who enjoys a nice ride on a bike, whether for sport or recreation, may at some point find themselves the victim of an accident. The common perpetrator in a bicycle accident is usually a vehicle driver who was not paying attention and did not see the bicyclist. Sadly, not every driver operates their car with care and respect for others on the road. Bicyclists may be especially susceptible to suffering painful injuries in the event of a collision. In a car vs. bicyclist crash, the rider does not have an exterior shield to help deflect the impact. The human body cannot withstand heavy, blunt force without enduring agonizing or even life-threatening conditions.

The Biggest Threats To Bicyclists

• Car Doors Opening: After a driver parks, he or she can easily forget to look out for bicyclists on the street before opening the car door. Being doored can cause the rider to fall straight forward over the bike and door, then land abruptly onto the ground. The rider may suffer injuries from the impact of the door and from the fall as well.

• Road Debris Or Potholes: Imperfections on the street can quickly cause a bicyclist to lose control and either fall or crash into a nearby object. A bicyclist has many threats to be aware of when going for a ride, including dips and cracks on the cement roadway. Even small pebbles, rocks, or other debris can be potential threats to a rider.

• Texting While Driving: In today’s society, texting and driving happens all too often. The advancement of cell phones may have led us to becoming less attentive when behind the wheel, and some people find that they simply can’t part ways with their phone even for a few minutes. A person operating the vehicle while on a cell phone can be dangerous to not only other drivers, but bicyclists too.

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries

• Bone fractures: wrists, hands, hips, feet, arms, and shoulders are vulnerable to breaks and fractures
• Traumatic brain injury: mild concussion, skull fracture, brain damage
• Jaw/facial injury: broken jaw, face scrapes, broken nose, eye wounds
• Spinal cord injury: damage to the spinal cord often causes long-term or permanent disabilities
• Neck injury: tendons, vertebrae, nerves, and joints
• Dental injury: chipped/cracked teeth, broken mandible, or maxilla fracture
• Nerve damage: can impact any part of the body that suffered blunt force
• Road rash: serious and painful skin damage can result due to friction with abrasive road surfaces

If you have sustained physical anguish due to the bike accident, it is vital that you ask for copies of medical documentation and share them with us during your initial consultation.

Recoverable Damages

When a person is hit by a motor vehicle when riding their bicycle, the effects can be long lasting. Even long after the accident has occurred and injuries have been treated, an accident victim still stands to face a number of hardships. Not only could they experience significant trauma due to the accident but some injuries have the ability to require medical treatment over a longer period of time. Our team of Memphis bicycle accident lawyers have the ability to help you to manage your bicycle accident claim so that you can be placed in the best possible position to be able to obtain compensation for the suffering you have endured. At Patterson Bray we are knowledgeable in the legal world of personal injuries. We have a history of getting our clients the amount they need to heal from injuries, in addition to achieving a sense of justice for the incident. A member of our legal team can evaluate the contributing factors of the accident to determine if you are eligible to receive compensation for the following recoverable damages:

• Past and future medical expenses and/or rehabilitation
• Loss of earnings and potential to earn
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress and trauma
• Loss of enjoyment of life
• Property damage
• Other forms of economic, physical, or punitive damages

The Toll Of A Traumatic Accident

While physical injuries may be obvious, there is another significant way that a bicycle accident stands to impact you. The impact a bicycle accident may have on your mental health can be significant. In many ways, it can make recovery more challenging. Additionally, your mental health stands to be impacted long after your injuries have healed. This is partially why it is so important to work with a Tennessee bicycle accident lawyer who understands what victims often go through in both the short-term and long-term. This perspective helps to ensure you receive the kind of settlement necessary for you to heal over time. Trauma from a bicycle accident can impact you in a number of ways, for example:

• Nightmares
• Flashbacks from the accident
• Mood swings
• Memory loss
• Feeling triggered by the accident when in specific situations
• Lack of interest or enjoyment of life
• Trouble sleeping
• Fatigue
• Depression
• Anxiety

Experiencing trauma has the ability to impact a person’s overall mental health but could result in adverse effects when left untreated. It’s important that an accident victim obtain the help they need from a care provider after the accident.

First Steps After A Bicycle Accident

If you recently suffered an injury from a bicycle accident, it may be in your best interest to speak with an attorney right away. He or she can examine your case and determine if you have a good chance of getting compensation for your pain and suffering. However, before you make an appointment to see one of our bike accident attorneys, there are a few steps you should take first:

1. Contact The Police: Call the police and inform them that there has been an accident. One or two officers will come to the scene and make a detailed report of the accident. Tell the police exactly what you saw, so that their report is as accurate as possible and ask where you can get a copy of the police report.
2. Talk To The Witnesses: If there were any witnesses nearby when the accident occurred, take a few minutes to write down their names and contact information. Ask them if they would be willing to testify on your behalf about what they saw. Any eyewitness testimony can be a great help to your case. During court proceedings, he or she may ask a witness a series of questions to help prove the facts of the accident.
3. Have A Doctor Look At Your Injuries: Even if your injuries don’t seem to be bothering you very much, it may still be a wise idea to get them checked out by a doctor as soon as possible. Your physician will assess the seriousness of your injuries and recommend the appropriate treatment. Before you leave the doctor’s office, ask him or her for a copy of your medical records. If you don’t have records of your injuries, it will be more difficult for your bicycle accident lawyer to prove that you are entitled to compensation.
4. Do Not Get Rid Of Any Evidence: It is a good idea to keep every piece of evidence, whether it’s a cracked helmet or photographs of the scene. Put every piece of evidence in a bag and show it to your bicycle accident lawyer. If your lawyer shows this evidence to the judge and jury, they will see proof that you were hurt during your bicycle accident.
5. Do Not Talk To Insurance Companies: If the other driver’s insurance company tries to ask you questions about the accident, it may be recommended to refuse giving a statement. The company may use whatever you say against you in court. You can simply advise you that you can’t say anything without your bicycle accident lawyer present.

Dealing With Insurance Companies

It’s smart to never accept a settlement from the other driver’s insurance company until you have talked with them first. The opposing insurance company may offer a settlement that is way below what your accident is actually worth. While the money may seem tempting to take right away as medical bills and other losses are building up higher, it is vital that you do not sign or agree to anything before talking with your attorney. 

Financial Losses

When a victim succumbs to a bicycle accident at the hands of a driver, the impact can be far reaching. Regardless of whether or not you have medical insurance, the financial losses can be substantial. After a bicycle accident, you may require immediate medical treatment, this could include invasive treatments. In some cases, your injuries may even require long term treatment needs. Again, it is partially because the aftermath of an accident can be so costly that it is important to work with our TN bicycle accident lawyer who can help you receive the compensation you are entitled to. Financial losses after a bicycle accident may include:

• Expensive medical treatments such as:
  • X Rays
  • Ambulance Costs
  • Hospital Stays
  • Surgeries
  • Doctors Appointments
• Lost Wages if you are unable to work for a period of time or unable to continue working.
• Damage or complete loss of your bicycle

A member of our legal team can help you by reviewing your situation and crafting a strong legal strategy accordingly. While there may be tangible financial losses, there are also non-economic losses you stand to contend with as well. You may experience pain and suffering that has resulted from the emotional trauma of the accident. When valuing your accident claim, our experience with personal injury law will help to ensure that we include all aspects of the impact the bicycle accident has had on you and may have in the future.

Legal Considerations

Here at Patterson Bray, PPLC we can help you take action against the offending driver. If you are interested in suing the driver who hit you, we recommend gathering evidence as the incident is being handled. For example, get a copy of the police report from your local law enforcement office, keep out-of-pocket receipts for medical bills related to your injuries, estimates for bike repairs, photographs of the scene, and other damages or losses. The outcome of your lawsuit will likely on how much proof is brought forward that shows the extent of your injuries and how the driver was responsible. Our Memphis bicycle accident attorney can understand how much your life may have been impacted by your bike accident. Your injuries may have even resulted in permanent disability or challenges. We are here to fight for you and will do what we can to help you recover. After the bicycle accident, as soon as you are of stable health it is recommended that you talk with a lawyer at our firm for help. If you allow too much time to pass before meeting with a legal professional, influential evidence may get lost, witnesses may become unreachable, and the driver’s insurance company may try to get you to settle for an amount that is much less than what you deserve.  Once we take on your case, we can begin an in-depth investigation as to what happened in addition to protecting you along the way. Even if the driver hit you and took off, you still may be able to receive compensation. We will work tirelessly to see that the matter is settled fairly and that you get the support you need to overcome the accident. 

We care about your health and future, and want to see that the driver is held responsible for his or her driving carelessness. You do not have to just accept what has happened to you and the losses you have faced because of the accident.

Memphis Bicycle Accident Infographic

Contact Patterson Bray Today

At Patterson Bray, we can provide you with strategic and empathetic legal services. Getting hurt in a bicycle accident can be traumatizing, and we understand the pain you are going through. We have the experience and skill to help our clients obtain the compensation they deserve for everything they have been through. If you are looking for a bicycle accident lawyer in or near Memphis, Tennessee, we encourage you to contact us. We believe in fighting for what is right, and take pride in helping bicyclists seek justice and compensation they deserve. We do not back down easily, and will do what we can to hold drivers accountable for their harmful behavior. Please call us today to schedule a free consultation.

Bicycle Accident FAQs

Our Tennessee bicycle accident lawyer helps injured cyclists build strong cases to recover compensation. When a bicycle accident happens, determining who is responsible can be complicated. Insurance companies often try to minimize claims, making it important to gather the right evidence. Below, we answer common questions about proving fault in a bicycle accident case.

What Evidence Is Most Important For Proving Fault?

Gathering the right evidence makes a major difference in a bicycle accident case. Photos of the accident scene, damage to the bike and vehicle, and visible injuries help establish what happened. Police reports provide an official record, and witness statements add valuable perspectives. In some cases, surveillance footage or dash cam video can confirm the events. Medical records are also important to connect injuries directly to the accident. The more detailed the evidence, the stronger the liability claim.

How Does Traffic Law Affect Fault In A Bicycle Accident?

Traffic laws apply to both cyclists and drivers, and violations play a key role in determining fault. For example, if a driver ran a red light, failed to yield, or was speeding, those violations can establish liability. Likewise, if a cyclist was riding against traffic or ignoring signals, their actions might contribute to the accident. Reviewing applicable laws helps clarify who had the right of way and whether negligence occurred.

Can A Cyclist Be Partially At Fault For An Accident?

Yes, and this can impact the case outcome. If both the driver and cyclist share responsibility, compensation may be adjusted based on the percentage of fault. For example, if a cyclist was not wearing reflective gear at night but a driver was also speeding, both may share blame. Tennesse follows a comparative fault system, meaning an injured cyclist can still recover damages even if they are partially responsible, as long as their percentage of fault does not exceed the legal threshold.

What Should I Do Immediately After A Bicycle Accident?

Taking the right steps after an accident helps protect both health and legal options. Seeking medical attention is the top priority, even if injuries seem minor. Reporting the accident to the police creates an official record, which can be helpful later. Taking photos, getting witness contact information, and exchanging details with the driver also provide useful documentation. Avoid discussing fault at the scene and contact our skilled Memphis bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.

How Long Do I Have To File A Claim After A Bicycle Accident?

Each state has a legal deadline for filing injury claims, known as the statute of limitations. Our legal professionals can explain how long you have to file a lawsuit. Waiting too long can make it harder to gather evidence and recover damages. It’s best to start the legal process early to build a strong case and avoid missing important deadlines. Negotiating with the at-fault party’s insurance company is not without its frustrations, particularly for those persons who are not attorneys. Additionally, if you are suffering from your post-accident injuries, taking care of legal matters and fighting for your rights may not be your top priority at the moment, as you need to focus on healing. Instead, consider hiring one of the best bicycle accident lawyers in Memphis, Tennessee who can handle these matters on your behalf so that you get the compensation you deserve. If you are in need of orthodontic work, you should not have to shoulder those costs; they should be paid by the person who caused your bicycle accident. The legal team at Patterson Bray  can help you to secure any compensation you may be entitled to from the person who harmed you and/or insurance providers.