Bicycle Accidents

Bicycling is a risky hobby and mode of transportation, largely because of how society treats bicyclists—drivers who believe that the road is theirs—and limited legislation that protects bicyclists from aggressive drivers. Unfortunately, this puts you at serious risk of an accident when you hit the road each morning.

What do you do next? You need a bicycle accident attorney who can guide you through the process of fighting for compensation and holding the other party accountable. Learn more about your options now by calling Reeves & Mestayer at 228-374-5151.

Types of Bicycle Accidents

As a cyclist, you are at risk of all sorts of bad behavior from drivers. Whether an accident occurs because of carelessness or malice, it can cause serious injuries. Some of the most common types of bicycle crashes we see include:

Those caused by impaired driving. Impaired drivers are a serious threat to everyone on the road, but they are even more dangerous to bicyclists and pedestrians than they are to other drivers. An impaired driver is less likely to see bicyclists and is more likely to swerve or drift in a way that causes a collision.
Those caused by distracted driving. Distracted driving plays a role in many collisions. When a driver is distracted by their phone or something else in their vehicle, they may fail to notice bicyclists or miss their hand signals for turns. This can cause everything from near-misses to fatal crashes.
Right turn accidents. When a bicyclist is in the far right bike lane, vehicles in the right lane may not notice them or consider them when attempting to turn. This often causes crashes and injuries to the cyclist.
Left turn accidents. Judging speed from a distance is challenging, and drivers especially struggle with it when judging a bicyclist’s speed. They may turn in front of a bicyclist, believing they have plenty of time, only to cause a serious crash.
Door collisions. If a driver opens their door into the bike lane without checking, they can cause a bicyclist to crash into the door and become airborne. This type of accident can lead to severe injuries.
Unsafe passing. Drivers in a rush to get around bicyclists often fail to leave enough space between their vehicle and the bicyclist.

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries

After your bike accident, it is important to get checked out by a medical professional right away. Bike collisions can cause a wide range of injuries, and without proper medical assistance, you could suffer long-term damage. Injuries that may arise after a bike collision include:

Road rash and subsequent infection
Lacerations
Tooth damage
Broken bones
Paralysis
Traumatic brain injuries

Comparative Negligence Laws and Your Bicycle Accident Case

Before you begin the process of a personal injury claim, it’s important to understand Mississippi comparative negligence laws. Mississippi is a pure comparative fault state, which means that a plaintiff can still recover damages even if they were partially (or mostly) at fault for the underlying accident.

That said, your damage award would be reduced in proportion to the percentage of fault you share. For example, if you suffered $100,000 in losses and you are found to be 50% at fault for the accident, you would only receive $50,000 in damages.

It is important to be aware of the laws regarding bicyclists. By staying in adherence with these laws, you can minimize your chances of being found partially liable for an accident. These laws include:

Persons riding a bicycle on roadways shall not ride more than two abreast except on paths or parts of the roadway that are set aside exclusively for bikes
Shall not impede the normal and reasonable movement of traffic when writing two or more abreast
Stay as far right as is possible except when it is too dangerous to ride on the right
Have a white lamp on the front of the bike that is visible from 500 feet
Have a reflex mirror or lamp that emits a red light that is visible from 500 feet of the rear of the bike

How We Can Help

When you’ve suffered a personal injury, getting compensation is all about choosing the right attorney. For bicyclists, it means choosing an attorney familiar with bicycle accidents, how drivers treat cyclists on the road, and how serious injuries can impact your life.

The team at Reeves & Mestayer delivers on all fronts. We know that the time after an accident is stressful, and we want to make it easier for you. While you focus on getting the medical care you need and recovering, we can start investigating your accident and building a case for you.

After we have an understanding of your accident and your injuries, we’ll start fighting for the compensation you deserve. This involves connecting with the liable party’s insurance company, presenting our evidence, and asking for compensation.

An insurance company’s goal during negotiations is to pay as little as possible while trying to get you to waive your right to sue. This often means that they offer far less than you deserve. We are there to make sure they don’t take advantage of you. We know how injuries can impact a cyclist’s life, especially if you have to take time off of work to heal or have medical bills piling up.

Our goal is to get a fair settlement during negotiations. If the insurance company is unwilling to be reasonable, we will begin preparing for court. Even at this stage, many cases still settle, leading to a positive outcome for clients.

Contact the Team at Reeves & Mestayer Today

A bicycle accident can leave you with stacks of medical bills, lingering injuries, and a long list of other issues. You shouldn’t have to fight for compensation alone. We’re here to help. Whether you’ve suffered minor injuries, or you have a long path of recovery ahead of you, let’s work together to get the compensation you deserve. Schedule a consultation now by contacting Reeves & Mestayer online or calling us at 228-374-5151.

Mississippi Bicycle Accident Claims: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the statute of limitations for filing a bicycle accident lawsuit in Mississippi?

Under Miss. Code § 15-1-49, you generally have three years from the exact date of your bicycle crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. Missing this strict deadline means you will permanently lose your right to pursue legal compensation through the state court system for your injuries, medical bills, and other related property damages.

How does Mississippi handle comparative negligence if I was partly at fault?

Mississippi follows a pure comparative negligence legal system under Miss. Code § 11-7-15. This means that even if you were partially responsible for the bicycle collision, you can still recover financial compensation. However, your total recovery award will be reduced by whatever percentage of fault is assigned to you by the insurance adjusters or court.

What types of financial compensation can I recover after a bike crash?

Injured cyclists can typically pursue both economic and non-economic damages. Economic damages cover objective expenses like emergency room bills, ongoing physical therapy, lost wages, and bicycle replacement costs. Non-economic damages compensate you for subjective hardships such as physical pain and suffering, emotional distress, mental anguish, and a diminished quality of life, as recognized within general Mississippi tort law principles.

What immediate steps should I take after being hit by a car while cycling?

First, call 911 immediately to report the accident and request emergency medical assistance. If you are physically able, take numerous photographs of the crash scene, vehicle damage, your bike, and your injuries. Gather contact information from eyewitnesses, and avoid giving recorded statements to insurance adjusters before speaking with a qualified attorney to protect your legal rights and interests.

Do I still have a valid claim if the driver fled the scene of the accident?

Yes, you can still pursue a recovery if you were the victim of a hit-and-run crash. You may be able to file an uninsured motorist claim through your own automobile insurance policy to cover losses. Consulting with an attorney can help you investigate the incident by reviewing surveillance footage or working with local law enforcement to identify the driver.

Are bicyclists required to follow the exact same traffic laws as motorists?

Yes, under Miss. Code § 63-3-1303, bicyclists have the same general rights and responsibilities as drivers of motor vehicles. Cyclists must obey all traffic control signals, ride in the same direction as traffic, and use proper hand signals for turning. Understanding these rules is crucial because insurers often try to blame cyclists for alleged violations.

What is the legal passing distance motorists must maintain from cyclists?

While specific clearance statutes vary, Mississippi motorists are legally required to share the road safely and exercise due care when overtaking bicyclists. Drivers must maintain a safe distance when passing a rider to prevent sideswipe collisions. Crowding a cyclist or misjudging clearance is powerful evidence of driver negligence that can support your personal injury claim against the at-fault motorist.

How long will it take to resolve my bicycle accident injury case?

The timeline for resolving a claim varies depending on the complexity of liability and your medical recovery. Some insurance claims settle within a few months through strategic negotiations. However, if liability is heavily disputed or if your injuries require long-term medical care, filing a formal lawsuit may extend the legal process significantly under the rules of Mississippi civil procedure.

Should I speak with the insurance adjuster who calls me after the crash?

You should exercise extreme caution before speaking with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Adjusters often try to trick injured victims into accepting lowball settlement offers or making statements that minimize liability. It is generally best to let your experienced personal injury attorney handle all communications and negotiations with the insurance carriers to ensure your legal rights are fully protected.

What if the bicycle accident was caused by a defective road hazard?

If a dangerous road condition caused your crash, a government entity might be liable. However, filing claims against government agencies in Mississippi involves strict notice requirements under Miss. Code § 11-46-11, including a ninety-day notice period before filing suit, making it essential to consult with a legal professional as quickly as possible to preserve your specific claim.

What makes bicycle accident cases much more complex than standard car crashes?

Bicycle accident cases are uniquely challenging because cyclists lack external physical protection, frequently resulting in catastrophic, high-value injuries. Additionally, insurance adjusters and juries sometimes harbor unfair biases against bicyclists, incorrectly assuming they were reckless. Overcoming these biases requires aggressive evidence gathering, detailed medical documentation, and skilled legal representation to establish the true extent of the harm you have suffered.

How much does it cost to hire a Mississippi bicycle accident lawyer?

Most Mississippi personal injury lawyers handle bicycle accident claims on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay absolutely zero upfront costs or hourly retainer fees out of pocket. Your attorney only collects an agreed-upon percentage of the financial compensation or settlement they successfully recover for you at the successful conclusion of your legal case, as permitted under state law.