If you ride through Lima, Ohio, you’ll notice that few streets have dedicated bicycle lanes. The few that do, such as N West Street and N Elizabeth Street, don’t have protected lanes. This lack of safe bicycle lanes makes riding through our city dangerous. Cars and trucks sometimes fail to share the road, resulting in accidents and injuries.
You need a Lima, Ohio bicycle accident lawyer if you’ve been in an accident. Our experienced attorneys understand the hazards our city’s roads create. We have helped many cyclists get compensation after an accident. Bensinger Legal Services will fight for our clients and will do our best to hold all those at fault accountable.
Contact us online or call (419) 455-1410 today for a free consultation.
Key Takeaways
What Lima, Ohio Cyclists Should Know About Bicycle Accident Claims
Bicycle accidents raise unique legal and safety questions that don’t come up in typical car crash cases. Before you talk to an insurance adjuster, here’s what every Lima, Ohio bicycle accident victim should keep in mind.
- Unprotected bike lanes carry real risk. Sections of N. West Street and N. Elizabeth Street in Lima have non-protected bicycle lanes, putting cyclists close to passing vehicles.
- Partial fault doesn’t end your claim. Ohio’s comparative negligence law still allows you to recover compensation even if you’re found partially at fault, as long as your share of fault isn’t more than 50%.
- More than medical bills may be recoverable. Compensation can include lost wages, future earning capacity, pain and suffering, and property damage in addition to medical expenses.
- Common causes shape how liability gets proven. Distracted driving, failure to yield, and unsafe road conditions are frequent causes of Ohio bicycle accidents, and each points to a different path for holding someone accountable.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
The majority of bicycle accidents in Ohio occur along straight roadways. Some accidents are unavoidable, but many are due to failure to follow the rules of the road or other negligent acts. Below are some of the common causes of accidents, according to our Ohio bicycle accident lawyers.
You’re Not Alone After A Bicycle Accident
A bicycle accident can leave you hurt, shaken, and unsure of what to do next. At Bensinger Legal Services, we understand the pain, the medical bills, and the frustration of dealing with insurance companies while you’re trying to heal. You don’t have to face this alone. Our Lima, Ohio bicycle accident lawyer is here to listen and help you find a path forward.
Schedule A Free ConsultationDistracted Driving
Distractions are among the leading causes of bicycle accidents. Drivers might look away from the road to send a text, change the radio station, or look at a passenger. Distractions like these pose a significant risk to cyclists because they are impossible to anticipate. A cyclist can’t tell which motorists are not focused on their surroundings.
Failure to Yield
Many car and truck drivers fail to yield the right of way to cyclists at intersections or crosswalks. Sometimes drivers are negligent or don’t understand traffic rules. In any event, failure to yield can result in powerful collisions with devastating consequences.
Unsafe Road Conditions
Poor road conditions can significantly contribute to bicycle accidents. Potholes, uneven surfaces, and debris on the road can cause cyclists to lose control and crash. In some cases, inadequate maintenance or design flaws in the roadways may lead to accidents.
Drunk or Impaired Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs is dangerous and endangers all road users, including cyclists. Impaired drivers have reduced reaction times and impaired judgment. This impairment makes them more likely to collide with cyclists sharing the road.
Inadequate Signage and Lighting
Proper signage and lighting are essential for road safety, especially for cyclists. Insufficient signage and poor lighting can make it challenging for drivers and cyclists to anticipate each other’s movements. This problem worsens in low-visibility conditions like rain and slow.
Meet Our Lima, Ohio Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Aaron L. Bensinger is an experienced, driven, and committed attorney serving Greater Northwest Ohio.
His experience includes obtaining favorable jury verdicts in both California and Ohio. Mr. Bensinger also has experience and has found success in Federal Courts.
Providing personal injury services to victims of negligence in Ohio is one of Aaron’s passions. He believes that everyday people deserve a fair deal, and too often insurance companies don’t believe the same. Beyond that, Aaron provides civil litigation services to a wide range of clients.
Aaron graduated from Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California. He then attended law school at Ohio Northern University in Ada, Ohio.
Currently, he is licensed to practice law in Ohio and California, and before the United States District Court for the Northern District of Ohio, Eastern District of California and Northern District of California.
Super Lawyers recognized Aaron as a “Rising Star” in 2014 and again in 2015.
Contact Our Ohio Bike Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation
What to Do After an Ohio Bike Accident
Anyone who cycles long enough is likely to be in an accident. Your response to the accident can determine how well you recover and whether you can receive compensation. Follow these steps to preserve your well-being and best position yourself for a lawsuit.
Ensure Safety
After a bicycle accident, your first concern should be ensuring your safety and well-being. If you can, move to a safe location away from traffic to prevent further harm. However, avoid unnecessary movements if you suspect serious injuries.
Contact Law Enforcement
It’s essential to involve law enforcement after a bicycle accident. Call the local police or 911 to report the incident. When officers arrive, provide them with accurate information about the accident and your injuries. They will create an official accident report, which can be vital for any potential legal claims. Remember to get the officers’ names and badge numbers for reference.
Gather Crucial Evidence
Gathering evidence is a critical step to protect your legal rights. Take photos of the accident scene, including vehicle positions, road conditions, and any road signs or signals. Capture images of your bicycle’s condition and any visible injuries. Collect contact information from witnesses who may have observed the accident. Your bicycle accident attorney in Ohio can use these to help determine liability.
Seek Prompt Medical Treatment
Regardless of the perceived severity of your injuries, it’s crucial to seek prompt medical treatment. Injuries sustained during bicycle accidents can be hard to spot. Early medical intervention ensures you receive the care you need. Also, medical records will document the extent of your injuries and treatment, which can be crucial in legal proceedings.
Not Sure If Your Bicycle Accident Case Is Worth Pursuing? We’ll Tell You Honestly.
Not every bicycle accident calls for a lawsuit, and it’s hard to know that on your own right after a crash. We’ll take an honest look at what happened, including whether a driver, the road conditions, or someone else may be responsible, and tell you plainly whether hiring an attorney makes sense for your situation.
Schedule A Free ConsultationRecoverable Compensation After a Bike Accident
If another driver is at fault for the accident, you might receive compensation to pay for your damages.
Common damages that Ohio bicycle accident attorneys can recover include:
- Medical expenses,
- Lost wages and future earning capacity,
- Pain and suffering, and
- Property damage.
If someone dies as a result of a bicycle accident, their loved ones may have a claim for wrongful death.
Keep in mind that Ohio has a comparative negligence statute that can limit your recovery. If you share in the fault for the accident, then that percentage of fault is subtracted from your recoverable damages. If you were more than 50% at fault for the accident, you will not be able to recover compensation at all.
For example, imagine the court finds that you are 20% at fault for the accident, and your damages add up to $100,000. A court would then subtract $20,000 (20% of $100,000) and award you $80,000.
Local Cyclist Safety Data
Where Bicycle Accidents Happen Most Often Around Lima, Ohio
Cyclists in Lima share the road with vehicle traffic on streets that don’t always include protected bike lanes, including sections of N. West Street and N. Elizabeth Street. If you’re searching for a Lima, Ohio bicycle accident lawyer after a crash, it helps to understand which areas see frequent bike traffic. The map below highlights locations around Lima commonly associated with cyclist activity.
Hurt In A Bicycle Accident Near One Of These Areas?
Get a free, no-obligation consultation with a Lima, Ohio bicycle accident lawyer today.
How an Ohio Bicycle Accident Lawyer Can Help
Having the support and expertise of a skilled bike injury lawyer in Ohio can make a significant difference in your recovery.
An attorney brings in-depth knowledge of Ohio’s bicycle accident laws. They can investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident, gather evidence, and determine liability. After this, your attorney can build a strong case on your behalf.
Your attorney can also handle negotiations with insurance companies. They will advocate for your right to fair compensation. If a settlement cannot be reached, an Ohio bicycle accident attorney can file a lawsuit and represent you in court, helping to ensure your interests are protected at every step.
Their expertise simplifies the legal process and allows you to focus on your recovery. You can have peace of mind knowing that you have an advocate fighting for your rights.
We Handle a Wide Range of Serious Injury Cases in Ohio
- Car Accidents
- Truck Accidents
- Motorcycle Accidents
- Wrongful Death
- Dog Bites
- Premises Liability
- Product Liability
Not Sure If Your Bicycle Accident Case Is Worth Pursuing? We’ll Tell You Honestly.
Not every bicycle accident calls for a lawsuit, and it’s hard to know that on your own right after a crash. We’ll take an honest look at what happened, including whether a driver, the road conditions, or someone else may be responsible, and tell you plainly whether hiring an attorney makes sense for your situation.
Schedule A Free ConsultationSpeak with a Lima, Ohio Bicycle Accident Lawyer
You need an Ohio bicycle accident lawyer representing you as soon as possible after an accident. Insurance companies make it difficult to receive compensation, especially if they know you don’t have a lawyer. They might refuse to pay for your damages or make lowball offers that leave you unsatisfied.
The attorneys at Bensinger Legal Services have spent years fighting against insurance companies. Our trial victories prove our success in fighting for injured clients. Moreover, Aaron Bensinger has earned the title of “Rising Star” from Super Lawyers multiple times for his excellent legal work.
Contact our firm online or call (419) 455-1410 today for a free consultation.
Lima, Ohio Bicycle Accident Lawyer: Common Questions
Bensinger Legal Services handles bicycle accident cases on a contingency-fee basis, so you pay nothing upfront. We only collect a fee if we recover compensation on your behalf, making experienced legal representation accessible regardless of your financial situation after a crash.
Liability often falls on the driver who caused the crash, but unsafe road conditions, inadequate signage, or poor lighting could also point to a different responsible party. A Lima, Ohio bicycle accident lawyer can investigate the crash to identify everyone who may be liable.
Ohio’s comparative negligence law (Ohio Revised Code Section 2315.33) still allows you to recover compensation even if you share some fault, as long as you are not found more than 50% responsible. Your recovery is simply reduced by your percentage of fault.
Unprotected bike lanes, like sections of N. West Street and N. Elizabeth Street in Lima, put cyclists close to vehicle traffic with no physical barrier. Document the scene, seek medical care, and contact a bicycle accident lawyer to help evaluate the road conditions and driver conduct involved.
Local Resources in Lima, OH
If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident in Lima, these trusted local resources can assist with emergency care, accident reporting, transportation, towing, vehicle repairs, and emotional support. While these services can help with immediate needs after a crash, speaking with a lawyer as soon as possible can help protect your rights and your claim.
Police & Public Safety
Lima Police Department – 117 E. Market Street, Lima, OH 45801. Handles law enforcement and accident investigations within Lima city limits. For non-emergency police assistance, call (419) 227-4444. For emergencies, call 911. – Visit Website
Allen County Sheriff’s Office – 333 N. Main Street, Lima, OH 45801. Provides law enforcement services and handles incidents in unincorporated areas of Allen County. Call (419) 227-3535 for assistance. – Visit Website
Ohio State Highway Patrol – Lima Post – 2005 E. Fourth Street, Lima, OH 45804. The Lima Post serves the surrounding area and investigates crashes on state highways and other roadways under its jurisdiction. The Lima Post has listed (419) 228-7072 as its office number. – Visit Website
Accident Reports & Records
Lima Police Department Records – For crashes investigated by the Lima Police Department within city limits, contact the department at 117 E. Market Street, Lima, OH 45801, or call (419) 227-4444 for information about police services and records. – Visit Website
Allen County Sheriff’s Office Records – For accident or incident records involving the Allen County Sheriff’s Office, contact 333 N. Main Street, Lima, OH 45801, at (419) 227-3535. – Visit Website
Ohio Department of Public Safety / Ohio State Highway Patrol Crash Reports – Crash reports for collisions investigated by the Ohio State Highway Patrol can be requested through the Ohio Department of Public Safety. – Request Crash Records
Medical & Emergency Care
Lima Memorial Health System – Emergency Center – 1001 Bellefontaine Avenue, Lima, OH 45804. Provides 24-hour emergency care for injuries ranging from minor concerns to major accidents, with trauma-trained emergency personnel. Call (419) 228-3335. – Visit Website
Mercy Health – St. Rita’s Medical Center – 730 W. Market Street, Lima, OH 45801. Provides 24-hour emergency care and a range of hospital and specialty services for accident-related injuries. The Emergency Department can be reached at (419) 227-3361. – Visit Website
Mental Health & Support
Coleman Health Services – Allen County – 799 S. Main Street, Lima, OH 45804. Provides mental health, crisis, addiction, and supportive services for adults and children. Call (419) 229-2222. – Visit Website
Coleman Health Services – Crisis Stabilization Unit – 797 S. Main Street, Lima, OH 45804. Provides crisis services for people experiencing an acute behavioral health emergency. The local crisis number is (419) 228-4673, and Coleman also lists 1-800-567-4673 for Allen County crisis support. – Visit Website
988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline – Provides free, confidential crisis support by phone or text. Call or text 988 if you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis. Coleman also directs people to 988 for immediate crisis support. – Visit Website