If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident in Fayetteville, you face a challenging road to recovery—both physically and financially. Cyclists are among the most vulnerable road users, and when a motorist’s negligence causes an accident, the injuries can be severe and life-altering. At Odom Law Firm, we understand the unique challenges bicycle accident victims face. Our team of experienced personal injury attorneys in Fayetteville has recovered millions of dollars for injured cyclists and their families. We work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Contact us today for a free consultation to discuss your case.
How Odom Law Firm Handles Bicycle Accident Cases
Our approach to bicycle accident cases is thorough, strategic, and focused on maximizing your recovery.
- Initial consultation. We begin with a free, no-obligation consultation where we listen to your story, answer your questions, and explain your legal options. We evaluate the strength of your claim and discuss realistic outcomes.
- Investigation and evidence gathering. Our team conducts a comprehensive investigation, obtaining police reports, interviewing witnesses, collecting photographs and video evidence, and consulting experts as needed. We leave no stone unturned in building your case.
- Liability determination and negligence analysis. We analyze the facts to establish clear liability and prove each element of negligence. We identify all potentially liable parties, including the at-fault driver, their employer (if the accident occurred during work), and potentially the city or county if road conditions contributed to the accident.
- Damage documentation. We work with medical experts to document the full extent of your injuries and project future medical needs. We calculate lost wages, pain and suffering, and permanent disability damages.
- Negotiation with insurance companies. We handle all communications with insurance companies, presenting compelling evidence and demanding fair compensation. Our insurance adjuster background gives us unique insight into how to negotiate effectively.
- Settlement or litigation strategy. If the insurance company offers a fair settlement, we may recommend accepting it. If they refuse to offer adequate compensation, we prepare your case for trial and are ready to litigate aggressively on your behalf.
- Contingency fee arrangement. We work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you. Our fees come from the settlement or verdict we obtain, aligning our interests with yours.
Odom Law Firm has recovered millions of dollars for injured clients. Our team includes attorneys with over 100 years of combined experience. We’ve handled complex personal injury cases involving catastrophic injuries, wrongful death, and disputed liability.Â
Why Choose Odom Law Firm for Your Bicycle Accident Claim
When you’ve been injured by a vehicle while cycling or walking, you deserve responsive legal support and attorneys who know how to win for vulnerable road users. For decades, Odom Law Firm has been fighting for injury victims in Fayetteville and throughout Arkansas. Below are the reasons our firm is trusted by clients:
- Focused experience: Since 1982, our firm has concentrated on personal injury litigation, handling claims for both bicycle riders and pedestrians injured by motor vehicles.
- Proven results in vehicle vs. non-motorist accidents:
- Secured $1.8 million for the family of a pedestrian fatally struck in a crosswalk—demonstrating successful outcomes for vulnerable road users.
- Recovered $975,000 for a pedestrian hit in a crosswalk, showing our commitment to maximizing compensation in similar bicycle accident scenarios.
- National co-counsel network: For complex or serious bicycle-related injuries, we engage top attorneys nationwide if needed.
- Personalized client service: Clients receive direct updates and attention from our legal team, ensuring you’re informed throughout your bicycle claim.
Let Odom Law Firm help you recover full compensation and justice after a serious bicycle accident.
Why Cyclists Need Legal Representation After an Accident
Bicycle accidents differ fundamentally from typical motor vehicle collisions. Cyclists lack the protective shell of a car, making them far more vulnerable to catastrophic injuries. Yet insurance companies often treat bicycle accident claims as minor incidents, offering lowball settlements that fail to cover medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Insurance adjusters employ tactics designed to minimize payouts. They may argue that you were partially at fault, question the severity of your injuries, or suggest that your damages are less than they actually are. This is where having an experienced attorney makes all the difference.
Odom Law Firm brings a unique advantage to bicycle accident cases. Our firm was founded by an attorney with a background in insurance adjustment, giving us insider knowledge of how insurance companies operate. We understand their tactics and know how to counter them effectively. With over 40 years of combined attorney experience and a track record of recovering millions for injured clients, we have the expertise and resources to fight for the compensation you deserve.
How Insurance Companies Undervalue Bicycle Claims
Insurance companies employ several strategies to minimize bicycle accident settlements. They may claim that cyclists are inherently at fault for riding on public roads, downplay the severity of injuries, or argue that pre-existing conditions contributed to your harm. Some adjusters suggest that you should have been wearing more protective gear or riding in different locations.
These arguments ignore the reality: motorists have a legal duty to share the road safely with cyclists. When they fail to do so through negligence, distraction, or recklessness, they are liable for the resulting injuries and damages. Our attorneys counter these tactics by conducting thorough investigations, gathering evidence, and building compelling cases that hold negligent motorists accountable. We’ve successfully negotiated settlements exceeding $1.8 million for pedestrian accident victims—cases that demonstrate our ability to secure substantial compensation even in complex liability situations.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Fayetteville
Understanding how bicycle accidents occur is essential to establishing liability. In Fayetteville, we see several recurring patterns of motorist negligence that lead to serious cyclist injuries.
Dooring incidents occur when drivers or passengers open car doors into the path of cyclists, often without checking for approaching bikes. These accidents frequently result in severe injuries as cyclists are thrown from their bikes or struck by the door itself.
Unsafe lane changes and turns happen when motorists fail to check their blind spots or signal before changing lanes or turning. Cyclists riding in these areas have no time to react and are struck by the vehicle. Similar patterns occur in motorcycle accidents where riders face comparable vulnerabilities.
Distracted driving remains a leading cause of bicycle accidents. Drivers texting, using GPS, eating, or otherwise distracted fail to notice cyclists sharing the road, leading to collisions that could have been prevented.
Speeding and aggressive driving reduce a motorist’s ability to stop or avoid cyclists. Drivers traveling above the speed limit or driving aggressively are more likely to cause accidents and inflict severe injuries.
Failure to yield at intersections occurs when motorists run red lights, ignore stop signs, or fail to yield the right of way to cyclists. These violations often result in high-speed collisions with catastrophic consequences.
Poor road conditions and maintenance can contribute to accidents when municipalities fail to repair potholes, clear debris, or maintain safe cycling infrastructure. In some cases, the city or county may share liability for these conditions.
Establishing Negligence in Your Bicycle Accident Case
To recover compensation, we must prove that the at-fault party was negligent. Negligence requires establishing four elements: duty, breach, causation, and damages.
Duty means the motorist had a legal obligation to operate their vehicle safely and share the road with cyclists. All drivers have this duty under Arkansas law.
Breach occurs when the motorist violates this duty through negligent, reckless, or intentional conduct – such as running a red light, texting while driving, or failing to check blind spots.
Causation requires showing that the motorist’s breach directly caused the accident and your injuries.
Damages are the measurable harms you suffered, including medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and permanent disability.
Our investigation process includes obtaining police reports, interviewing witnesses, collecting photographs and video evidence, consulting accident reconstruction experts, and reviewing medical records. We build comprehensive cases that clearly establish each element of negligence and demonstrate the full extent of your damages.
Injuries Commonly Sustained in Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents frequently result in severe, life-altering injuries. Without the protection of a vehicle, cyclists absorb the full force of collisions.
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) and concussions are among the most serious consequences of bicycle accidents. Even low-speed collisions can cause TBIs, leading to cognitive impairment, memory loss, personality changes, and long-term neurological complications. Many cyclists don’t realize they’ve suffered a TBI immediately after an accident, making prompt medical evaluation critical.
Spinal cord injuries and paralysis can result from high-impact collisions. These catastrophic injuries often lead to permanent disability, requiring lifelong medical care, home modifications, and assistance with daily activities.
Fractures are common in bicycle accidents. Cyclists often fracture ribs, arms, legs, and pelvis as they attempt to brace for impact or are struck by vehicles. Some fractures require surgery and extended recovery periods.
Road rash and lacerations occur when cyclists are thrown from their bikes and slide across pavement. These injuries can be disfiguring and may require skin grafts or plastic surgery.
Internal injuries may not be immediately apparent but can be life-threatening. Blunt force trauma can damage organs, causing internal bleeding that requires emergency surgery.
Psychological trauma, including PTSD, anxiety, and depression, frequently follows serious bicycle accidents. Victims may develop fear of cycling or riding in vehicles, affecting their quality of life and ability to work.
Calculating Damages for Bicycle Accident Injuries
Compensation in bicycle accident cases includes multiple categories of damages. Medical expenses cover emergency care, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and ongoing treatment. We calculate both current medical costs and projected future medical needs.
Lost wages compensate you for income lost during recovery and any permanent reduction in earning capacity if your injuries prevent you from returning to your previous work.
Pain and suffering damages account for physical pain, emotional distress, and diminished quality of life resulting from your injuries.
Permanent disability damages recognize long-term or permanent impairment, loss of enjoyment of life, and the need for ongoing care or assistance.
Our attorneys conduct comprehensive damage assessments, working with medical experts to project lifetime care costs and economic losses. This ensures your settlement reflects the true value of your claim.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident
Taking the right steps immediately after a bicycle accident protects your health and strengthens your legal claim.
First, prioritize safety. If you’re able, move to a safe location away from traffic. Call 911 if you or anyone else is seriously injured.
Document the scene. Take photographs of your bicycle, your injuries, the accident scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, and traffic signals or signs. Obtain contact information from witnesses—their accounts may be crucial to establishing liability.
Obtain the police report number. Request that police respond to the accident and file a report. Get the report number and the names and badge numbers of responding officers.
Seek medical attention immediately. Even if you feel fine, see a doctor. Some injuries, particularly head injuries, may not be immediately apparent. Medical records documenting your injuries are essential to your claim.
Preserve evidence. Keep your damaged bicycle, clothing, and helmet. Photograph your injuries as they heal. Maintain all medical records, bills, and receipts related to your treatment.
Do not admit fault or sign documents. Do not tell the other driver or their insurance company that you were at fault. Do not sign any documents without reviewing them carefully. Insurance adjusters may try to get you to minimize your injuries or accept blame.
Contact Odom Law Firm. Call us immediately at 479-442-7575 for legal guidance. The sooner we become involved, the better we can protect your rights and preserve evidence.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle Accidents
How long do I have to file a bicycle accident claim in Arkansas?
In Arkansas, the statute of limitations for personal injury claims, including bicycle accidents, is three years from the date of your injury under Arkansas Code § 16-56-102. This means you have three years to file a lawsuit. However, it’s important to act quickly. Evidence can disappear, witnesses’ memories fade, and insurance companies may dispute your claim if you wait too long. Additionally, if you were a minor at the time of the accident, the statute of limitations may be extended. Contact us immediately to protect your rights.
Can I recover damages if I was partially at fault for the accident?
Yes. Arkansas follows a comparative negligence rule under Arkansas Code § 22-34-301, which means you can recover damages even if you were partially at fault, as long as you were not more than 50% responsible for the accident. Your recovery is reduced by your percentage of fault. For example, if you are 20% at fault, you would recover 80% of your total damages. We’ve successfully handled cases with disputed liability, including a $435,000 settlement in a motor vehicle accident where liability was contested. Our investigation and evidence presentation often shift the liability analysis in our clients’ favor.
What if the at-fault driver doesn’t have insurance?
If the at-fault driver is uninsured or underinsured, you may still recover compensation through your own insurance policy. Most Arkansas auto insurance policies include uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. These provisions allow you to recover from your own insurer up to your policy limits. We’ve recovered $1 million in an underinsured motorist claim, demonstrating our ability to maximize recovery through these alternative sources. We’ll investigate all available coverage and pursue every avenue to ensure you receive full compensation.
How much is my bicycle accident case worth?
The value of your case depends on several factors: the severity of your injuries, the extent of medical expenses, lost wages, the strength of liability, and the defendant’s insurance coverage. Cases involving catastrophic injuries, permanent disability, or wrongful death command higher settlements. Cases with clear liability and strong evidence typically settle for more than those with disputed fault. We evaluate each case individually, considering all relevant factors. Our experience handling hundreds of personal injury cases gives us insight into realistic settlement ranges. During your free consultation, we’ll discuss the potential value of your specific claim.
Do I need to go to trial for my bicycle accident claim?
Most bicycle accident cases settle without going to trial. Insurance companies often prefer to settle rather than face the uncertainty and expense of litigation. However, if the insurance company refuses to offer fair compensation, we’re prepared to take your case to trial. Our attorneys have extensive trial experience and have successfully litigated complex personal injury cases. We’re not afraid to go to court, and insurance companies know this. Our willingness to litigate often motivates them to offer better settlements. Ultimately, the decision to settle or proceed to trial is yours, and we’ll advise you on the best course of action for your specific situation.
How long does a bicycle accident case take?
The timeline varies depending on the complexity of your case. Settlement cases typically resolve within 6 to 12 months. Litigation cases may take 1 to 3 years or longer, depending on court schedules and case complexity. Factors affecting duration include the severity of injuries, the number of liable parties, the need for expert testimony, and the insurance company’s willingness to negotiate. We work efficiently to resolve your case as quickly as possible while ensuring you receive full compensation. We’ll keep you informed of progress and explain any delays.
Contact Our Fayetteville Bicycle Accident Lawyers Today
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident in Fayetteville, you don’t have to face the aftermath alone. At Odom Law Firm, our dedicated team of bicycle accident lawyers has the experience, resources, and determination to help you pursue the justice and compensation you deserve.
We understand the challenges that come with serious injuries, from medical bills and lost income to emotional recovery. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis—you pay nothing unless we win your case.
Call 479-442-7575 today or fill out our online contact form to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation. Let us handle the legal battle while you focus on healing.
