Indianapolis Overtaking Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Indianapolis has seen a dramatic increase in bicycle use on city streets since the COVID-19 pandemic, aligning with a nationwide trend. Cyclists cite the health, financial, and environmental benefits of riding a bike, which allow them to bypass vehicle traffic congestion.

The drawback to increased bicycles on the road is an increase in accidents between motorists and cyclists on our city’s streets. The number of incidents involving vehicles colliding with cyclists and pedestrians has increased in each of the past three years, causing almost 2,000 people to be injured, including 130 fatalities.

Many motor vehicle and bicycle accidents occur when a passing driver fails to overtake a cyclist properly. The consequences of these incidents are devastating, often causing severe injuries that are accompanied by tremendous emotional and financial burdens.

As your Indianapolis bike accident lawyer, Vaughn A. Wamsley fiercely advocates for cyclists’ rights. We strive to make our roads safer for everyone by holding drivers accountable when they fail to share the road safely with bicycles and securing fair compensation for accident victims.

Understanding Overtaking Bicycle Accidents in Indianapolis

Overtaking bicycle accidents typically occur when a passing motor vehicle unsafely attempts to pass a bicycle. The passing car often fails to leave enough room for the cyclist, which results in a sideswipe collision. The motor vehicle may also force the bike to leave the road or collide with another car, a stationary object, or a pedestrian.

The increase in accidents between motor vehicles and bicycles coincides with the rise in bicycle usage, but that correlation is not the cause of these accidents. Most overtaking bicycle accidents are caused by negligence on the part of the driver of the overtaking vehicle. However, some incidents may also be attributable to poor road conditions, construction, or flawed lane design.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported nearly 50,000 cyclist injuries nationwide in 2022, including 1,105 deaths. The majority of these accidents occurred in urban locations such as Indianapolis.

Our city has recently made strides to improve cyclist safety, including adding 21 miles of new bike lanes in 2024 alone. However, Indianapolis is ranked in the bottom quarter of the safest biking cities. This data underscores cyclists’ daily dangers, even in their bike lanes.

As Indianapolis’s leading overtaking bicycle accident attorney, Vaughn A. Wamsley recognizes the continued need to protect cyclists in our city. Our team fights for the rights of cyclists injured in accidents caused by others’ negligence.

Common Injuries in Overtaking Bicycle Accidents

Injuries caused by overtaking bicycle accidents are often severe and are sometimes fatal. Cyclists have limited protection in a collision with a motor vehicle and frequently suffer from secondary impacts with the road or stationary objects adjacent to the street.

We have successfully represented clients with life-altering injuries, including:

• Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) – Even when cyclists wear helmets, impacts in these accidents often cause severe brain trauma that can lead to permanent disabilities.
• Spinal Cord Injuries – Overtaking accidents frequently leave victims with injuries to their spinal cords, including full and partial paralysis.
• Internal Injuries – These collisions often cause victims to suffer damage to their internal organs, which may be life-threatening.
• Broken Bones – Cyclists often suffer multiple broken bones and fractures in an overtaking accident.
• Road Rash – Bicycle accidents often end with the cyclist sliding across the surface of the road, which causes severe road rash along with other lacerations.
• Emotional Trauma – The impact of such a serious accident often leaves victims with severe emotional trauma, which may include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

As the top-rated bicycle accident lawyer in Indianapolis, the team at Vaughn A. Wamsley understands that the recovery from an overtaking incident is often long and strenuous. We aim to ease victims’ burden by providing compassionate support and personalized legal guidance to help secure the compensation you deserve.

Vaughn Knows What You Are Going Through

You Don’t Pay Unless We Win

Time Is Not On Your Side After An Accident. Call Vaughn Wamsley NOW.

317-846-1080

Indiana Laws for Overtaking Bicycle Accident Cases

Indiana supports the growth of bicycling as a means to promote healthy lifestyles and environmental consciousness. Additionally, the state promotes the safety and well-being of cyclists through legislation it has passed in recent years.

State regulations relevant to overtaking bicycle accident cases include:

• Bikes Are Treated as Vehicles – Under Indiana law, bicycles are afforded the same protections as other vehicles on public roads, meaning motorists must give bikes the right of way when passing, turning, or changing lanes.
• Safe Passing Space – Motorists must leave at least three feet between their cars and a bicycle when passing. Failure to comply with this law, enacted in 2019, frequently causes overtaking incidents.
• Comparative Fault Rule – Indiana follows a modified comparative fault rule, meaning accident victims may be entitled to compensation if they are less than 51 percent at fault for a crash. Their compensation may be reduced by the percentage at which they are judged to be at fault in the case.
• Statute of Limitations – Personal injury claims must be filed within two years of the date of the accident in most cases, according to Indiana law.
• Compensation Available – Victims may be compensated for medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, pain and suffering, and punitive damages.

Vaughn A. Wamsley is a champion of cyclists, advocating for safer streets while holding negligent motorists accountable. Our dedicated team works tirelessly to ensure our clients achieve maximum compensation so that all of their damages suffered by someone else’s fault are covered.

How Vaughn A. Wamsley Supports Bicycle Accident Victims

The aftermath of an overtaking biking accident is often one of the most challenging times in the victim’s life. We are here to support you in your time of need, listen to your story, and understand what you are going through.

As the most trusted overtaking bicycle accident attorney in Indianapolis, we strive to make your recovery more manageable by handling complex legal battles so that you can focus on your physical and mental well-being. We keep you updated at every step so you understand precisely what is happening with your claim.

Our comprehensive approach provides peace of mind, knowing that our passionate team is well-prepared to fight for the compensation you deserve. We achieve this by:

1. Investigating Your Accident – We thoroughly investigate all of the evidence from your case, including police and medical records, eyewitness testimony, and video and surveillance footage, to understand all the conditions that led to your accident.
2. Identifying Liable Parties – Based on the evidence, we determine which parties’ negligence contributed to your accident so they can be held liable.
3. Establishing Fair Compensation – We calculate all of the damages you suffered, including medical care, property damage, pain and suffering, lost wages, and punitive damages, so that we can pursue maximum compensation on your behalf.
4. Negotiating With Insurance Companies – We deal with insurance companies to achieve a fair settlement covering all your damages.
5. Litigation, If Necessary—If negotiation does not yield a fair settlement, we will be fully prepared to take your claim to court. We have an outstanding record of achieving favorable judgments for our clients.

As the leading Indianapolis overtaking bike accident lawyer, Vaughn A. Wamsley has the experience, resources, and track record of success that lets clients know their case is in good hands. Our personalized and comprehensive approach positions us to achieve favorable results for our clients, which is our ultimate goal.

Why Choose Us as Your Overtaking Bicycle Accident Lawyer

If you or a loved one has been injured in an overtaking bicycle accident, you deserve to have a compassionate and trusted advocate on your side who will fight for the justice and compensation you deserve.

When you’re searching for a bicycle accident lawyer near me, Vaughn A. Wamsley stands apart from the crowd, offering unmatched personalized attention, resources to build compelling cases and a record of winning maximum compensation through negotiation and litigation.

Contact us today for a free consultation to learn how we can help you move forward after an accident.