What Does a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Do in Arkansas?

A bicycle accident lawyer investigates crashes, battles insurance companies, protects cyclist rights, and secures maximum compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain after bike-vehicle collisions.

If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident here in Arkansas, you’re probably dealing with more than just physical pain. You might face hefty medical bills and insurance companies that don’t seem to take your case seriously. People may also think you somehow caused the accident just because you were on a bike instead of in a car.

The experienced bicycle accident attorneys at Rainwater, Holt, & Sexton know how frustrating and overwhelming this can be. Arkansas is our home, and we’ve seen how bicycle accidents can turn a neighbor’s life upside down in an instant. While cyclists have the same legal rights on our roads as any motorist, they need someone who understands their struggle.

As bicycle accident lawyers, we help injured cyclists navigate the complex legal and insurance issues that come up after bike accidents. We know the roads you ride and the bias you face, and we’re here to level the playing field so you can focus on getting better while we fight for fair compensation.

Understanding Bicycle Accident Laws

When you’re hurt in a bicycle accident, you need someone who gets both sides of the legal equation. A bicycle accident lawyer is both familiar with the general traffic laws and is well-versed in the regulations that affect cyclists and how they fit into Arkansas’s broader traffic code.

Here in Arkansas, cyclists have rights and responsibilities that many general personal injury attorneys overlook. In Northwest Arkansas, one of the nation’s top biking destinations, communities like Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, and Springdale have built bike lanes, world-class trails, and cycling infrastructure that draw riders from across the U.S. In Central Arkansas, Little Rock’s River Trail and expanding bike lanes create more opportunities to ride—and more interactions with traffic. We stay on top of the ordinances that protect riders statewide, from helmet requirements to right-of-way laws, to safe passing distances and trail regulations, so we can hold drivers accountable when they put cyclists at risk.

Arkansas law requires cyclists to ride as far right as possible, but there are important exceptions that many people don’t know about. You can legally take the full lane when it’s too narrow to share safely, when you’re making a left turn, or when you’re avoiding hazards. If another driver hits you while you’re legally riding in the full lane, we can prove it and protect your rights.

Arkansas also follows comparative fault rules in bicycle accident cases. Even if the insurer tries to blame you for part of the accident, you can still recover compensation as long as you’re not more than 50% at fault. We’ve turned around cases where cyclists were initially blamed but ultimately received fair settlements once the real facts came to light.

How Bicycle Accident Lawyers Build Your Case

When our team takes on your bicycle accident case, we approach it like a puzzle. Every piece of evidence matters, and we use it to build the strongest possible case for you.

Accident Scene Investigation

Our experienced attorneys start by examining the crash site with fresh eyes, looking for factors that might have contributed to your accident. This includes checking things like:

• Road conditions
• Visibility issues
• Bike lane markings
• Traffic control devices

Sometimes we discover that a faded bike lane marking or a poorly timed traffic light played a role in the crash.

We’ve handled cases where a pothole in the bike lane forced a cyclist into traffic, or where overgrown vegetation blocked a driver’s view of an approaching cyclist. These details matter, and they can make the difference between a denied claim and fair compensation.

Evidence Collection

Time is critical after a bicycle accident because evidence can disappear quickly. We work fast to gather:

• Police reports and any citations issued
• Witness statements from people who saw the accident
• Surveillance footage from nearby businesses or traffic cameras
• Medical records documenting your injuries and treatment
• Photos of your bicycle, helmet, and gear damage
• Photos of the vehicles involved and the accident scene
• Cell phone records if distracted driving is suspected

We know which evidence insurance companies try to ignore and how to present it in a way that clearly shows what really happened.

Expert Witness Coordination

In complex bicycle accident cases, we work with specialists who can help explain technical aspects of your case to insurance adjusters, mediators, or juries.

This might include:

Accident Reconstruction Experts
These professionals can analyze the crash scene, vehicle damage, and cyclist injuries to find out exactly how the accident occurred and who was at fault.

Medical Professionals
Doctors who specialize in cycling injuries can explain the long-term impact of your injuries and the treatment you’ll need going forward.

Cycling Safety Experts
These specialists are well-versed in bicycle handling, safety equipment, and cycling behavior to counter unfair assumptions about how cyclists should have acted.

Overcoming Anti-Cyclist Bias

Many people make unfair assumptions about cyclists that affect almost every bicycle accident case. Some think cyclists don’t belong on the road, that they’re reckless, or that they somehow asked for trouble by choosing to ride a bike.

We’ve witnessed this bias in action. It’s one of the biggest challenges cyclists face after an accident. Insurance adjusters might assume you were riding dangerously or that you should have been more careful. Police officers might not investigate as thoroughly as they would a car-versus-car accident. Even potential jurors might start with the assumption that the cyclist must have done something wrong.

This is exactly why you need a lawyer who specializes in bicycle accident cases. We know how to address these biases head-on by presenting clear evidence about the crash. We educate everyone involved about cyclists’ legal rights and show them the facts of your case.

Our firm has successfully countered claims that our client was riding too fast by demonstrating that they were actually traveling well within safe speeds for the conditions. We’ve disproven assumptions that cyclists came out of nowhere by using surveillance footage and witness testimony to show that our client was visible and following all traffic laws.

Handling Insurance Companies

Dealing with insurance adjusters after a bicycle accident can feel like an uphill battle. They often don’t take bicycle accident claims as seriously as car accident claims, and they have tactics they use to minimize payouts to injured cyclists.

Medical Coverage Issues

Insurance companies sometimes question the extent of injuries from bicycle accidents, assuming that cycling injuries can’t be as severe as those from car crashes. This couldn’t be further from the truth.

Cyclists often suffer serious injuries, including:

• Traumatic brain injuries, even with helmet use
• Broken bones and fractures
• Road rash requiring extensive treatment
• Spinal cord injuries
• Internal injuries from impact

We make sure your medical treatment is properly documented and that insurance companies grasp the full scope of your injuries. We also ensure that your treatment includes any specialized care you might need, like physical therapy designed for cyclists who want to return to riding safely.

Fighting Liability Disputes

Insurers often try to shift blame to the cyclist, claiming that the cyclist was riding erratically or wasn’t visible. Our attorneys counter these arguments with solid evidence and expert testimony.

We’ve successfully handled cases where insurance companies initially denied personal injury claims entirely, only to pay substantial settlements once we presented the real facts. Our job is to give you a fighting chance so you’re not facing a major corporation’s legal team on your own.

Types of Bicycle Accident Cases

Every bicycle accident is unique, but we see certain patterns in the cases that come through our doors. Recognizing these common scenarios can help you know what to expect and why legal representation is important.

Vehicle-Bicycle Collisions: Most of our bicycle accident cases involve collisions between bicycles and motor vehicles. These cases typically involve one of several common scenarios:

Intersection Accidents: These happen when a driver fails to yield to a cyclist who has the right of way, or when a driver runs a red light or stop sign. We’ve handled numerous cases at busy intersections like Cantrell and Chenal Parkway, where drivers simply didn’t see cyclists who were following all traffic laws.

Dooring Incidents: When someone opens a car door into the path of a cyclist, the results can be devastating. Arkansas law requires people to check for approaching cyclists before opening car doors, and we hold negligent drivers accountable for these preventable accidents.

Highway and Road Crashes: Some of the most serious injuries occur when cyclists are struck while riding on highways or busy roads. These cases often involve questions about whether the cyclist had a legal right to be on the road and whether the driver was paying proper attention.

Dangerous Road Conditions: Sometimes bicycle accidents happen because of poorly maintained roads or inadequate infrastructure. In these cases, we may pursue claims against municipalities or other government entities responsible for road maintenance.

We’ve handled cases involving:

• Potholes or debris in bike lanes
• Missing or faded lane markings
• Defective traffic signals or signs
• Inadequate lighting in areas where cyclists regularly travel

These cases require special knowledge of how government liability works in Arkansas, including specific notice requirements and immunity exceptions.

Hit-and-Run Accidents: Unfortunately, some drivers flee the scene after hitting a cyclist. These cases present tough challenges; however, we can still help you recover compensation, whether through uninsured motorist coverage or by working with law enforcement to encourage thorough investigations that might identify the responsible driver.

Calculating Damages in Bicycle Accident Cases

When evaluating your bicycle accident case, we look at the full picture of how the accident has affected your life. Insurers often focus only on your immediate medical bills, but your claim may be worth a lot more than that.

Medical Expenses and Treatment

Our attorneys start by documenting all of your medical expenses related to the accident, including:

1. Emergency room treatment
2. Hospital stays and surgeries
3. Doctor visits and specialist consultations
4. Physical therapy and rehabilitation
5. Prescription medications
6. Medical equipment like crutches or braces

We also consider your future medical needs. If you’ll need ongoing physical therapy, follow-up surgeries, or long-term treatment for your injuries, those costs should be included in your settlement.

Lost Income and Earning Capacity

Bicycle accidents can affect your ability to work in ways that aren’t immediately clear. Beyond the time you miss while recovering, you might face long-term limitations that affect your career.

We calculate lost wages for the time you’ve missed from work, but we also consider how your injuries might affect your future earning capacity. If you can no longer perform physical aspects of your job, or if you need to change careers because of your injuries, that lost earning potential is part of your claim.

For cyclists whose work involves physical activity or who use cycling as part of their fitness routine for their job, these considerations become especially important.

Pain and Suffering

The physical pain, emotional trauma, and life disruption caused by a bicycle accident deserve compensation beyond just your financial losses. We help you document how the accident has affected your daily life, your relationships, and your overall well-being.

This might include your inability to participate in activities you enjoyed—like weekend rides through Pinnacle Mountain State Park—the anxiety you now feel around traffic, or the ongoing pain that affects your sleep and quality of life. While these damages are harder to calculate than medical bills, they’re a real part of what you’ve lost because of someone else’s negligence.

The Legal Process for Bicycle Accident Claims

When you work with our bicycle accident lawyers, we guide you through each step of the legal process so you know what to expect. While every case is different, the process typically includes these steps:

• Initial Consultation: We meet with you to discuss your accident, review any evidence you have, and explain your legal options. This consultation is free, and there’s no obligation to hire us.
• Investigation Phase: If you decide to work with us, our attorneys immediately begin investigating your case, gathering evidence, and building your claim.
• Medical Treatment: While we handle the legal aspects of your case, you focus on getting the medical treatment you need. We coordinate with your healthcare providers to ensure proper documentation.
• Demand and Negotiation: Once our team has a complete picture of your damages, we present a demand to the insurance company and negotiate for fair compensation.
• Litigation if Necessary: If we can’t reach a fair settlement through negotiation, we’re prepared to take your case to court to fight for the compensation you deserve.

Throughout this process, we keep you informed about what’s happening with your case and involve you in all major decisions. You’re never left wondering where things stand.

When to Contact a Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Initially, it might seem like you don’t need a lawyer for your bicycle accident case. While not every minor accident requires legal representation, there are several situations where having an ally on your side is crucial:

• You suffered significant injuries that require ongoing medical treatment.
• The insurance company is denying your claim or offering an unfairly low settlement.
• The other driver or their insurer is claiming you were at fault.
• You were hit by an uninsured or underinsured driver.
• The accident involved a government vehicle or occurred because of dangerous road conditions.
• You’re facing financial hardship because of medical bills and lost wages.

Remember, insurance companies have teams of lawyers and adjusters working to minimize what they pay you. You deserve to have someone in your corner who recognizes the seriousness of bicycle accident cases and will fight for your rights.

The sooner you contact us after your accident, the better we can protect your interests. Evidence disappears, witnesses’ memories fade, and there are deadlines for filing claims that you can’t afford to miss.

How Our Bicycle Accident Lawyers Can Help

At Rainwater, Holt & Sexton, we’ve made it our mission to defend injured cyclists throughout Arkansas. We recognize the challenges cyclists face, and we’re committed to protecting your rights while you focus on healing.

When you choose our firm, you benefit from:

• Deep Arkansas Roots: We celebrate Arkansas’ vibrant cycling culture, especially in Northwest Arkansas. Communities like Bentonville, Fayetteville, Rogers, and Springdale lead with nationally recognized bike trails, cycling events, and bike-friendly streets. This thriving biking community shapes our state, and it shapes the way we fight for you. We understand the risks riders face on mountain trails in the Ozarks, city streets in Little Rock, and rural roads in the Delta. Our local knowledge helps us stand with cyclists across Arkansas, protecting both individuals and the communities that keep biking strong.
• Personal Attention: When you call us, you’re more than a case number. Our firm treats every client as a neighbor in need because that’s exactly what you are. Your family becomes part of our extended community.
• Proven Results: We deliver real outcomes that make a difference in people’s lives. Our settlements have helped Arkansas families pay off medical debt, replace lost income during recovery, and get back to the activities they love.
• Protection When You’re Vulnerable: We’re your shield against insurance companies trying to minimize your claim, medical billing departments pressuring you for payment, and legal deadlines that could jeopardize your case. You focus on getting better while we handle everything else.
• No Fee Guarantee®: You don’t pay us unless we win your case. We advance all the costs of investigating and pursuing your claim, so you don’t have to worry about upfront expenses while you’re recovering from your injuries.

We’re available 24/7 to discuss your case. Don’t let insurance companies take advantage of you during this difficult time. Call us today to discuss the specific circumstances of your bicycle accident.

Frequently Asked Questions

We’re taking care of Arkansas.

This is our home, and we want to ensure our neighbors and friends are supported. With eight offices in Arkansas - Little Rock, Little Rock-Corporate Hill, Springdale, Conway, Hot Springs, Bryant, Jacksonville, and Jonesboro—our accident lawyers are easily accessible when you need help.