Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Know Your Rights
Tupelo Bicycle Accident Attorneys – Bob Germany Law Standing Up for Injured Cyclists
Tupelo is a good town to ride in. Cyclists share McCullough Boulevard, Gloster Street and the downtown streets around Fairpark with commuters and delivery traffic, and many riders head out to the Natchez Trace Parkway on the edge of town. When a driver is not paying attention, a cyclist has nothing between them and a two-ton vehicle, and the injuries that follow can change a life in seconds.
Mississippi law treats bicycles as vehicles with the same right to use the road as cars and trucks, and drivers must leave at least three feet of space when they pass a cyclist. When a driver ignores those rules and someone gets hurt, the injured rider has the right to seek compensation for medical care, lost income and everything that follows.
Bob Germany has represented injured Mississippians since he was admitted to the bar in 1981. Our firm handles bicycle accident claims in Tupelo, Lee County and across Northeast Mississippi, and we take on insurance companies that try to blame the cyclist or pay less than a claim is worth.
Why Tupelo Cyclists Choose Bob Germany Law
After a bike crash, you need a lawyer who will investigate quickly, handle the insurance company for you and be ready to go to court if a fair settlement is not offered. That is how we approach every case.
We Move Fast to Preserve the Evidence
Skid marks fade, business and traffic camera footage gets recorded over, and witnesses become hard to reach. We work to secure the crash report, photos, video, phone records and witness statements early, while that evidence still exists.
We Know How Tupelo Crashes Happen
Busy commercial corridors like Gloster Street and McCullough Boulevard, the interchanges along US 45 and I-22, and two-lane county roads outside the city each create different risks for riders. Understanding exactly how a crash unfolded at a specific location is often what proves who was at fault.
Trial-Ready Representation From Start to Finish
Insurance companies know which lawyers settle cheaply and which ones are willing to go to court. Bob Germany has tried cases before Mississippi juries for four decades, and we prepare every case as if it will be decided by one.
Disclaimer: This website is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Please contact us to discuss your specific case.
With Bob Germany, you always know who is handling your case. When you call the office, you talk to Bob. When you show up for a court appearance, Bob will be the one representing you. You will not have to wonder if your case has been handed off to a paralegal or inexperienced associate. You get the full benefit of a lawyer with more than 40 years of experience in personal injury law.
We Can Help You Get the Justice You Deserve
Bicycle Accident Help in Tupelo
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Tupelo
Most bicycle crashes are not accidents in the everyday sense of the word. They happen because a driver made a choice that put a rider at risk. These are the situations we see most often.
Drivers Who Fail to Yield
Drivers turning left across a cyclist’s path, pulling out of parking lots and side streets, or rolling through stop signs cause a large share of serious bike crashes. Many drivers later say they “never saw” the rider, but that is not a defense when the cyclist had the right of way.
Distracted Driving
A few seconds spent looking at a phone, a GPS screen or a passenger is enough for a vehicle to drift into a cyclist. Phone records and witness statements can show what a driver was doing in the moments before impact.
Unsafe Passing and Right Hooks
Passing too closely, squeezing past a rider in a narrow lane, or speeding up to pass and then turning right directly in front of the cyclist are common and dangerous mistakes. Mississippi requires drivers to give cyclists at least three feet when passing.
Speeding on Busy Corridors
Higher speeds leave drivers less time to react and turn minor impacts into catastrophic ones. On fast-moving stretches of road, a speeding driver may not be able to stop in time even after seeing a cyclist ahead.
Car Doors and Parked Vehicles
A driver or passenger who opens a door into the path of a rider can cause a violent crash. People in parked cars have a duty to check for approaching traffic, including bicycles, before opening a door.
Poor Road Conditions and Low Visibility
Potholes, debris, broken pavement and poor lighting can all contribute to a crash. When a city, county or state agency is responsible for a dangerous condition, special notice rules and much shorter deadlines apply, so it is important to talk to a lawyer quickly.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
Even with a helmet, cyclists absorb the full force of a collision. The injuries we see in these cases often include:
- Traumatic brain injuries and concussions
- Spinal cord and back injuries
- Broken bones, including wrist, collarbone, hip and leg fractures
- Internal injuries that may require emergency surgery
- Severe road rash, deep cuts and scarring
- Fatal injuries that leave families facing a wrongful death claim
Some of these injuries are not obvious in the first hours after a crash. Getting checked by a doctor right away protects your health and creates a medical record that connects your injuries to the collision.
What Compensation Can You Recover?
A successful bicycle accident claim can include compensation for:
- Past and future medical bills, therapy and rehabilitation
- Lost wages and reduced ability to earn in the future
- Pain, suffering and loss of enjoyment of life
- Your damaged bicycle, helmet and other gear
- Funeral costs and other damages in wrongful death cases
Mississippi follows a comparative fault rule. Even if an insurance company argues that you share some of the blame, you can still recover compensation, reduced by your share of fault. Insurers use this rule to push blame onto cyclists, which is one reason it helps to have an attorney involved early.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Tupelo
- Call 911 so police document the crash and you get medical help.
- Get medical care right away, even if you think you are not badly hurt.
- Take photos of the scene, the vehicle, your bike and your injuries if you can.
- Get the names and phone numbers of the driver and any witnesses.
- Keep your bike, helmet and clothing as they are. They are evidence.
- Do not give a recorded statement to the driver’s insurance company before talking to a lawyer.
- Call an experienced bicycle accident attorney.
How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?
In most Mississippi personal injury cases, you have three years from the date of the injury to file a lawsuit. Claims against government agencies have much shorter deadlines and notice requirements. Waiting also makes it harder to find witnesses and preserve evidence, so it is best to act quickly.
Talk to a Tupelo Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
If you or someone you love was hurt in a bicycle crash in Tupelo or anywhere in Lee County, we are ready to help. Your consultation is free, and you pay no attorney fees unless we recover compensation for you.
Call us at 601-812-5524 or contact us online to schedule your free consultation.