Coralville Personal Injury Attorneys

Whether you were sideswiped at an intersection, struck by a door swinging open from a parked car, or cut off by a vehicle making a right turn, the personal injury attorneys at Walker, Billingsley and Bair have the experience to investigate what happened, establish who was at fault, and fight for the full compensation Iowa law entitles you to receive.

The Most Common Types of Bicycle Accidents in Iowa

Bicycle accidents take several recurring forms. Knowing how each type happens, and what can be done to reduce the risk, is useful for every rider on Coralville's roads. When prevention fails and a crash occurs, understanding the mechanics of how it happened also becomes central to proving the driver's fault.

The Right Hook Accident

A right hook accident occurs when a car making a right-hand turn cuts into the path of a cyclist. These crashes can happen at intersections or when a driver pulls out of a driveway or parking lot without seeing the bicyclist approaching from behind or alongside. Because some drivers fail to use their turn signals, a cyclist may have no warning that a turn is coming until it is already happening.

This is also one of the most common scenarios in car-versus-bicycle collisions. It happens when a bicyclist and a car approach an intersection together and the car turns right, with the driver failing to notice the cyclist until it is too late. It also occurs when a cyclist passes a slower-moving car on the right, unknowingly placing themselves in danger when the car then turns. A third variation happens when both a bicycle and a car are stopped at a traffic light together and the car turns right when the signal changes, cutting off or striking the cyclist who was proceeding straight.

To reduce the risk of a right hook crash, cyclists should make sure they are slightly in front of vehicles in the right-hand lane when stopped at a red light or stop sign. This keeps the cyclist in the driver's direct line of vision. Riders should also avoid passing vehicles on the right side, since a driver making a right turn will not be expecting a bicycle there. Passing on the left is the safer choice.

The Dooring Accident

A dooring accident is one of the most severe types of bicycle crashes and occurs when a cyclist is riding between moving traffic and parked cars on the right-hand side of the road. When a driver or passenger opens a car door unexpectedly on the left side of their vehicle, that door may block the cyclist from continuing forward or strike the cyclist directly. The impact can send the rider swerving into oncoming traffic, dramatically amplifying the danger.

Dooring accidents are particularly difficult to avoid when the space between moving traffic and parked cars is narrow. Whenever a separate bike lane is available, cyclists should always choose it over riding in the travel lane alongside parked vehicles. When no bike lane exists, riders should stay alert for parked cars and slow down when approaching one, watching for any sign that a door may be about to open.

A Vehicle Turning Left

At an intersection, a left-turning vehicle is generally required to yield to oncoming traffic unless they have a protected green turn arrow. However, bicyclists can be significantly harder to spot than other motor vehicles, especially in low-light conditions. A driver may assume the road is clear and begin a left turn directly into or in front of a cyclist who is proceeding straight through the intersection.

To reduce the risk of this type of crash, cyclists should equip their bikes with lights and wear bright, visible clothing. Before entering any intersection, riders should attempt to make eye contact with left-turning drivers to confirm they have been seen. Cyclists should also avoid riding on the sidewalk, since drivers checking for oncoming traffic at intersections are not looking for fast-moving vehicles on the sidewalk and will not expect a cyclist to emerge from that position.

Failure to Yield at an Intersection

The final common type of bicycle accident involves a cyclist who fails to yield to a vehicle at an intersection. It can be easy for a rider to misjudge an oncoming car's speed and distance, particularly at higher-speed roads. Even when a cyclist has the right of way, entering an intersection without confirming that other drivers can see them and have slowed down creates unnecessary risk. The safest approach is to exercise caution every time before entering an intersection, regardless of who has the legal right of way.

Proving Liability in a Right Turn Bicycle Accident

When a car turning right strikes a bicyclist in what is commonly called a right hook accident, the crash is usually the driver's fault. However, demonstrating that fault legally requires presenting proper evidence of the driver's negligence. A claim does not succeed simply because a crash occurred. The injured cyclist must show that the driver failed to act as a reasonably careful person would under the circumstances.

Types of Evidence That Establish Driver Fault

A police report is an important starting point in any bicycle accident claim. It documents the accident scene and the sequence of events as described by the responding officer, and it includes notes on any citations issued to either the driver or the cyclist. Citations issued to the driver for traffic violations are particularly strong indicators of fault.

Eyewitness accounts are among the most valuable types of evidence because a neutral observer can describe what both the car and the bicycle were doing in the moments before the collision. Their account can confirm whether the driver signaled before turning, how fast both parties were traveling, and whether the cyclist was riding lawfully.

Video footage can also be decisive. Many intersections have traffic cameras that may have recorded the crash, and nearby businesses frequently have surveillance systems that face the street. Collecting this footage quickly is important, as many systems overwrite their recordings within days.

Driver Conduct That Establishes Negligence

A driver can be proven negligent and therefore liable for a right turn bicycle accident if the evidence shows they were speeding, failed to use a turn signal before making the right turn, or abruptly changed lanes without checking for cyclists alongside them. Any one of these behaviors can form the basis of a successful personal injury claim against the at-fault driver.

Cyclist Conduct That Can Be Used as a Defense

It is equally important to understand that if witnesses observed the cyclist acting negligently, that conduct may be raised as a defense by the driver. Behaviors such as swerving between lanes, riding too close to vehicles, or ignoring a traffic control device can be used to argue that the cyclist shared some degree of fault for the accident. Iowa's comparative fault rules may reduce a cyclist's recovery if they are found partially responsible, which makes documenting the full picture of what happened before the crash so critical.

You Do Not Have to Accept the Insurance Company's Settlement Offer

After a bicycle accident, an insurance company may reach out quickly with a settlement offer. Many injured cyclists feel pressure to accept and move on, especially when medical bills are mounting and income has been disrupted. In Iowa, you have absolutely no obligation to accept any settlement offer from an insurance company. Understanding your rights in this process, and the questions you need to answer before making a decision, is essential to protecting your financial recovery.

Three Questions to Answer Before Settling

First, consider whether your injuries are truly minor. If they are, it may be reasonable to handle the claim on your own to avoid paying an attorney a percentage of a modest settlement. But if your injuries are significant, complex, or have required extended medical treatment, the value of professional legal representation almost always outweighs the cost.

Second, consider who paid your medical bills. If your health insurance or another insurance company covered your medical expenses while your claim was pending, those carriers may assert a right to reimbursement from your settlement through a process called subrogation. If you are unaware of these subrogation rights and accept a settlement without accounting for them, you could end up with nothing after repaying the insurer, or worse, owing money. Not knowing how to handle subrogation properly is one of the most costly mistakes injured people make in personal injury cases.

Third, consider how much time you have before the statute of limitations expires on your claim. Failing to file within the legally required timeframe typically results in losing your right to any compensation at all. If you are unsure of the deadline that applies to your situation, speaking with a qualified Iowa injury attorney is the surest way to protect your claim.

The Insurance Company's First Offer Is Rarely Their Best

It is very rare that the insurance company's first settlement offer reflects the true value of a claim. If you are representing yourself and attempting to negotiate directly with the adjuster, several principles apply. Anything you tell the insurance adjuster can and will be used against you in your claim and in any subsequent lawsuit, so be careful about what you share, but never lie. Be aware that insurance companies share databases, and if you have prior injuries or prior accidents, they will likely find out about them.

It is not a good idea to threaten or become confrontational with the insurance adjuster. In most areas of life, being calm and respectful produces better outcomes than anger, and insurance negotiations are no different. You should also know your facts going into any discussion with the adjuster, including how the injury happened, who provided your medical treatment, and what conditions you have been diagnosed with.

How Claim Value Is Evaluated

Before agreeing to any settlement in a case involving injuries, it is worth understanding the factors that influence what a claim is actually worth. An experienced Iowa personal injury attorney evaluates a claim by considering the severity and extent of the injuries, whether multiple body parts were affected, whether there are objective injuries such as broken bones, whether the victim was hospitalized, whether surgery was required, how much time was missed from work, where the victim was working at the time of the injury, how much insurance coverage is available from all applicable policies, and whether there is an underinsured motorist coverage claim that can be brought in addition to the claim against the at-fault driver.

Consulting with an attorney who deals with insurance companies on a daily basis and has handled hundreds of similar cases gives you a far more reliable perspective on whether an offer is fair than asking friends or family. No two cases are identical, but experienced personal injury attorneys recognize the patterns that determine value and can advise you accordingly before you make any decision.

We Are Here To Help

Remember, you are not alone in recovering from your injuries. We have helped thousands of Iowans through their physical, emotional, and financial recoveries. If you have questions about what you are going through, feel free to call our office for your confidential injury conference. We will take the time to listen to you and give you our advice concerning your injury matter at no cost or risk to you.

Free Book at No Cost 

If you are not ready to speak with an attorney yet but would like to learn more about Iowa injury cases including tips about how you can avoid making common costly mistakes request a copy of our Iowa Personal Injury book which includes 14 myths about Iowa injury cases and 5 things to know before hiring an attorney.

If you have specific questions about your injury matter feel free to call our office to speak with our Injury team at 641-792-3595 or use our Chat feature by clicking here 24 hours a day/7 days per week. Your information will remain confidential and there is no cost or obligation.

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