Richmond Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Personal Injury
Were you injured in a bike accident?
Don’t wait. Contact the dependable and hardworking legal team at Merrick Brock, PLLC now for a free consultation. We have your back and will fight for your rights.
You’re on your bike, focused on the ride, when a driver makes a careless move. Suddenly, everything changes. One reckless turn or distracted glance can mean emergency sirens, broken bones, and a lengthy recovery.
At Merrick Brock, PLLC, we represent injured cyclists throughout Richmond and Virginia. If you’re searching for a Richmond bicycle accident lawyer with the experience and resolve to handle a high-stakes injury case, we know how to help.
Our seasoned attorneys understand the specific hurdles bike accident victims face, especially when insurance companies try to minimize claims or shift blame to the cyclist.
With decades of defense-side experience and a reputation for trial readiness, we build cases that stand up to scrutiny and fight for the full measure of what you’ve lost. Contact us today to schedule a consultation with our team.
Key Takeaways — Bicycle Accident Lawyer Richmond
- Bicycle accidents often result from driver inattention, failure to yield, unsafe lane changes, speeding, or opening car doors (dooring).
- Victims may recover compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain & suffering, property damage, and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Virginia’s contributory negligence law is strict: if you are found even 1% at fault, you generally can’t recover damages.
- Strong evidence is critical—photos, witness statements, surveillance footage, police reports, and proper documentation strengthen your claim.
- Time limits are strict—filing within two years is typically required, and acting quickly preserves evidence and legal options.
What Are Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents?
Understanding how bicycle accidents happen can help strengthen your claim and highlight the negligence involved. While every crash is different, driver distractions or failure to share the road are common factors that can put cyclists at risk. Some of the most frequent causes of bicycle accidents include:
- Driver inattention. Inattention includes texting, eating, or otherwise being distracted behind the wheel.
- Failure to yield. Drivers may not respect cyclists’ right-of-way at intersections or driveways.
- Speeding. Excessive speed reduces a driver’s ability to react and increases the severity of injuries in a crash.
- Unsafe lane changes. Drivers who fail to check blind spots or pass too closely can sideswipe cyclists or force them off the road.
- Driving under the influence. Impaired drivers pose a significant risk to vulnerable road users like cyclists.
- Opening car doors into traffic (dooring). This cause is common on city streets with narrow bike lanes or limited space. A driver or passenger in a vehicle opens the door without looking, and a nearby cyclist subsequently runs into the door.
- Poor road design or maintenance. Cracked pavement, faded bike lane markings, and uneven shoulders can force cyclists into traffic or cause them to lose control.
While these are some of the most common causes, they’re far from the only ones. If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident, no matter the circumstances, it’s worth speaking with a Richmond bike accident attorney who can evaluate your situation and explain your legal options.
What Compensation Is Recoverable?
A bicycle accident can have financial, physical, and emotional impacts beyond the initial crash. Our job is to work, so your claim accounts for all the harm you’ve suffered, not just what shows up on a bill. You may be eligible to recover compensation for:
- Medical expenses. These can include emergency room visits, ambulance services, surgeries, physical therapy, follow-up appointments, prescriptions, and counseling.
- Lost income. If your injuries keep you out of work temporarily or permanently, you can seek damages for missed paychecks and future lost earnings.
- Pain and suffering. Serious injuries come with physical pain, psychological stress, and emotional trauma. These damages reflect the impact on your daily life and well-being.
- Property damage. Compensation can also cover damage to your bicycle, helmet, and other gear.
- Loss of enjoyment of life. This damage may be recoverable if your injuries prevent you from cycling, exercising, or engaging in hobbies and routines you once enjoyed.
Depending on the severity of the crash, we may also explore claims for disfigurement, permanent disability, or the cost of in-home care. At Merrick Brock, we take the time to understand how the accident has changed your life and work with medical experts, financial professionals, and other specialists who can help ensure your claim fully reflects those losses.
Act Now – Contact a Richmond Bike Accident Lawyer
When a ride meant for freedom turns into a painful detour, the impact doesn’t just hurt your body—it shakes your whole sense of trust. You don’t have to face the aftermath alone. You deserve someone who listens, supports, and helps guide you toward healing.
What If I Am Also at Fault for the Bicycle Accident?
Virginia follows a strict contributory negligence rule. This rule means that if you are found even 1% at fault for the accident, you are generally barred from recovering any compensation.
This law can seem harsh, but it makes it all the more important to work with a Richmond bicycle accident attorney who understands how to present your case clearly and effectively.
Insurance companies often try to use contributory negligence as a defense to eliminate payouts. They may argue that you weren’t wearing reflective gear, left a bike lane, or contributed to the crash in some other way.
At Merrick Brock, PLLC, we know how to push back against these claims. We assemble facts, witness accounts, and expert input to show precisely what happened and who was responsible.
How Long Do You Have to File a Bicycle Accident Claim in Virginia?
Under Virginia law, you typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is strict. Missing it could prevent you from recovering anything.
It’s also vital to act early, so your legal team can work to:
- Collect physical evidence,
- Interview witnesses,
- Secure surveillance footage, and
- Prevent insurance companies from taking advantage of delays.
We encourage potential clients to reach out as soon as possible after an accident. The sooner we start, the more we can do to build a strong case.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Lawyer?
We understand that hiring a Virginia bicycle accident lawyer might feel financially out of reach after a serious accident. Fortunately, many law firms in Richmond handle bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis.
This arrangement means you don’t pay anything upfront, and you don’t owe any legal fees unless your attorney recovers compensation for you.
Talk to a Richmond Bicycle Injury Lawyer Today
At Merrick Brock, we’ve spent decades litigating complex personal injury cases and earning the trust of clients and referring attorneys alike. Our firm was founded by two former defense attorneys who know how insurance companies operate and how to counter their strategies.
That experience gives us a tactical edge in proving fault, defending your rights, and presenting your claim in a way that demands to be taken seriously.
We bring a focused, trial-ready mindset to every bicycle injury case we handle. Our attorneys don’t rely on templates or shortcuts. We build your case from the ground up, starting with an investigation tailored to your crash.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a Richmond bicycle accident lawyer who will treat your case like it matters.
We also serve the Arlington, Norfolk, Chesapeake, and Virginia Beach areas!
Bicycle Accident FAQ
The most common injuries in bicycle accidents include head and brain injuries, such as concussions or traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Other frequent injuries are broken bones, road rash, and soft-tissue damage to the neck, shoulders, and back. Even at low speeds, cyclists are highly exposed and can suffer serious harm when struck by a vehicle. Wearing a properly fitted helmet and visible gear can reduce—but not eliminate—the risk of severe injury.
Fault in a bike crash depends on the circumstances. Often, drivers are found at fault for failing to yield, speeding, distracted driving, or not giving cyclists enough space. However, cyclists can also share responsibility if they disobey traffic signals or ride unpredictably. In Virginia, the pure contributory negligence rule applies—meaning if a cyclist is even 1% at fault, they may be barred from recovering compensation. An experienced bicycle accident lawyer can review the evidence and determine who is legally liable.
Long-term effects from bike accident injuries can include chronic pain, limited mobility, nerve damage, and emotional trauma such as anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Severe injuries like spinal cord damage or traumatic brain injuries can lead to permanent disability or require lifelong care. These ongoing complications often justify compensation for future medical costs, loss of earning potential, and diminished quality of life.
It depends on who was at fault and what insurance coverage is available. If a driver caused the crash, their auto insurance may cover the cost of repairing or replacing your bicycle as part of a property damage claim. If the cyclist was hit-and-run or the driver is uninsured, you may be able to use your own uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage (UM/UIM) if it extends to bicycle accidents. Homeowners or renters insurance policies sometimes also cover bicycle damage, depending on the terms.