Pedestrian, Bicycle & Scooter Accidents
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Injured While Walking, Riding a Bicycle, or Using an E-Scooter? You Have Rights.
When a car, truck, SUV, or commercial vehicle strikes someone who is walking, riding a bicycle, or using an electric scooter, the injuries are often severe. Unlike the occupants of a motor vehicle, pedestrians and riders have very little protection from the force of the collision.
If you or someone you love has been injured in a pedestrian, bicycle, or scooter accident anywhere in Iowa, it's important to understand that you may have legal rights—even if the accident happened outside of a crosswalk, in a parking lot, or under unusual circumstances.
At Lawyer Lawyer Dutton Drake & Conklin LLP, we have spent decades helping injured Iowans investigate serious accidents and protect their rights.
Investigation Is Critical
After a pedestrian, bicycle, or scooter accident, evidence can disappear quickly.
- Witnesses leave the scene.
- Security camera footage may be erased.
- Vehicle damage is repaired.
- Road conditions change.
- Debris is cleared away.
A prompt investigation can preserve the evidence needed to determine exactly what happened and who may be responsible.
Pedestrians Have Rights Everywhere
Don't assume that just because your injury took place in an unusual circumstance it
means that you have no rights. What if a parent injures a child while moving a car on a driveway? What if you are in a store and a car crashes through the doors and strikes you? What if you are a high school student walking through a private parking lot before class?
The answer to all these questions is that the injured pedestrian probably has legal rights that he or she should investigate and protect.
Pedestrians, Cyclists, and Scooter Riders Have Rights
Many people assume they have no case because they weren't in a crosswalk or because they were riding a bicycle or scooter.
That isn't always true.
People are injured in many different situations, including:
- Crosswalks
- Parking lots
- Sidewalks
- Apartment complexes
- School zones
- Driveways
- Storefront crashes
- Bike lanes
- Shared-use trails
- Neighborhood streets
Every accident deserves to be carefully investigated before anyone decides who was at fault.
Common Causes of Pedestrian, Bicycle & Scooter Accidents
The accident attorneys at Lawyer Lawyer Dutton Drake and Conklin LLP have seen the most common causes of pedestrian, bicycle and scooter accidents in the Des Moines Metro to be:
- Distracted driving (texting, talking on their phone, eating…)
- Failure to yield at crosswalks
- Drivers turning without seeing pedestrians or cyclists
- Speeding
- Backing accidents in parking lots and driveways
- Opening a vehicle door into the path of a bicyclist ("dooring")
- Failure to share the road
- Poor visibility at night
- Driving under the influence
We Help Families After Serious Injuries
Pedestrian, bicycle, and scooter accidents frequently result in:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
- Permanent disabilities
- Wrongful death
When injuries are this serious, it's important to understand the full extent of your damages before accepting an insurance settlement.
Questions We Hear After Pedestrian, Bicycle & Scooter Accidents
Do I Have a Case If I Was Hit Outside of a Crosswalk?
Even if you were crossing outside a designated crosswalk, you may still have legal rights depending on how the accident occurred. Every case should be evaluated based on its specific facts.
What Should I Do After a Pedestrian, Bicycle, or Scooter Accident?
Your health comes first. Call 911, seek medical attention, and report the accident to law enforcement. If possible, photograph the scene, your injuries, and the vehicle involved. Obtain witness contact information and avoid discussing fault until the facts have been investigated.
Why Is It Important to Investigate a Pedestrian Accident Quickly?
Evidence after a pedestrian, bicycle, or scooter accident can disappear quickly. Witnesses leave, surveillance footage may be overwritten, and the accident scene changes. Beginning an investigation as soon as possible can help preserve evidence needed to determine how the collision occurred and who may be responsible.
What Compensation Can I Recover After a Pedestrian, Bicycle, or Scooter Accident?
If someone else's negligence caused your injuries, you may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, future medical care, lost wages, pain and suffering, permanent disability, and other damages. Because pedestrians and cyclists often suffer serious injuries, it's important to understand the full impact of your injuries before accepting a settlement.
Can I Recover Compensation If I Was Partly at Fault?
In some situations, yes. The facts of every pedestrian, bicycle, or scooter accident are different. Even if questions exist about where you were crossing or how the accident happened, you may still have legal rights under Iowa law. An experienced attorney can evaluate the circumstances and explain your options.
We're On Your Side
If you or someone you love has been injured while walking, riding a bicycle, or using an electric scooter, there is never a charge to speak with one of our attorneys at Lawyer Lawyer Dutton Drake and Conklin LLP.
The consultation is always FREE, and there is No Fee Unless We Win. Call us at (515) 224-4400 or fill out our form to ask us your questions.
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