In a busy city like Edmonton, heavy traffic, construction zones, and distracted drivers can place cyclists at serious risk. When an accident happens, injuries can lead to painful recovery, confusing insurance processes, and added stress.
If you’ve been in a bike accident, you don’t have to navigate the aftermath alone. At Litco Law, our skilled Edmonton bicycle accident lawyers understand the profound impact a cycling injury can have. Our team takes a supportive, people-first approach to help you understand your rights, access benefits, and pursue fair compensation.
Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about your rights and legal options as an injured cyclist. If you choose to work with our team, you won’t pay us anything while your claim progresses.
Get answers to the following topics and questions:
- How Litco Law Supports Injured Cyclists in Edmonton
- Understanding Bicycle Accidents in Edmonton
- What To Do After a Bicycle Accident
- Common Injuries From Bicycle Accidents
- Who May Be Liable in an Edmonton Bicycle Accident?
- What Compensation Is Available After an Edmonton Bicycle Accident?
- Why Bicycle Accident Claims in Edmonton Can Be Complex
- Our Legal Team Can Help You Today
- Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle Accident Claims
Watch The Video
Learn more about what to expect from our free consultation or speak with our legal team to book a free consultation today.
How Litco Law Supports Injured Cyclists in Edmonton
As Alberta’s largest personal injury firm, our award-winning client service reflects our commitment to the people we serve. Making legal help easier, more efficient, and more personal is the focus of everything we do, from our helpful client portal to our dedicated legal teams, which we call “pods,” assigned to each client.
Cyclists and others who are injured in an accident are often surprised when they face pressure from insurance companies trying to minimize their injuries or shift blame to them. At Litco Law we balance the power by standing up to insurance companies. We’re with you every step of the way to protect your rights and guide you through the process. We’re with you every step of the way to protect your rights and guide you through the process.
Holding the Responsible Party Accountable
Careless, reckless, or distracted drivers can cause serious accidents that result in catastrophic injuries for cyclists. Liability with cyclists is a little bit different from other accidents on the road. There is something called a “reverse onus” under the Traffic Safety Act (section 186), which states that the driver of the vehicle normally needs to prove they were NOT negligent as the starting point. Our team investigates what happened to identify the at-fault party, gather evidence to build your claim, and advocate for the justice you deserve.
Personalized Support From a Dedicated Team
When you work with us, you don’t just get one lawyer. You get your own personal legal team assigned to your claim, including two lawyers, a case manager, a client care specialist, and a legal assistant. We pride ourselves on the exceptional level of personalized support and service we offer.
Through clear, open, and transparent communication, you’ll always know what’s going on with your claim from start to resolution. You can trust that your claim is in good hands while you focus on your recovery.
You Won’t Pay Us Anything While Your Claim Progresses
We work on a contingency fee basis, which means you won’t pay us anything while your claim progresses. Our fee is a percentage of the settlement we recover for you, and you’ll know that percentage before you ever hire us. We also offer free consultations to discuss your situation and help you find the solution, even if we’re not it.
What Our Clients Say About Working With Us
If there’s anything we can do to make our clients’ lives easier, we’ll do it. See what clients have to say about their experience with our team:
- “Seeking an injury lawyer for an accident I was involved in was nerve racking and I didn’t know who to turn to. Litco Law was there every step of the way and assured me that I was looked after. Every one I dealt with provided outstanding service and I totally recommend them to anyone who needs an injury lawyer! Thank you Litco!” – Caylyn W.
- “Litco has extremely good communication throughout your case and helps you understand every little thing on every step of it. Couldn’t recommend them enough. – Jordan R.
Understanding Bicycle Accidents in Edmonton
In 2023, there were 103 fatal or major injury collisions involving bicycles in Alberta. Some causes of bicycle accidents are:
- Failure to obey traffic signals
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Stop sign violations
- Following too closely
- Being run off the road
Additionally, Edmonton bike accidents may be connected to poor visibility, distracted driving, and road defects.
Bike safety in Alberta helps everyone on the road. While irresponsible or reckless drivers cause many accidents, it’s crucial for cyclists to follow Alberta bicycle laws to lower the risk of injuries. For example:
- Cyclists cannot use their cellphones while riding.
- Any cyclist under 18 years old must wear a helmet.
- Adult cyclists are strongly encouraged to wear helmets.
- Requirements for riding safely at night, which include a headlamp, tail lamp, and a red reflector
What To Do After a Bicycle Accident
We know how overwhelming an unexpected bike accident can be, especially if you suffer an injury. If you find yourself in this situation and are able, here are steps you can take to protect your safety, health, and legal rights:
- Try to remain calm and check yourself for injuries.
- If necessary, move to a safe location away from moving traffic.
- Call 911 to report the accident and request medical assistance.
- Exchange information with others involved in the collision.
- Take photos or videos of the accident scene and collect witness information.
- Get medical care and follow through with treatment.
- Consider speaking with a legal professional so you know your options and understand your rights.
It’s common for cyclists to be unable to collect evidence from the scene, but our lawyers are skilled at gathering important evidence after the accident. At Litco Law, our legal team in Edmonton can determine if you have a claim and discuss how we can help you move forward. For free consultations,we have an office in Edmonton, offer virtual meetings, or can come to you wherever it is most convenient.
Common Injuries From Bicycle Accidents
Drivers have airbags, seatbelts, and other safety features that protect them in the event of a collision. Because cyclists are so exposed, even a low-speed accident can result in serious harm. Injuries can potentially lead to long-term issues, such as chronic pain, scarring, and an inability to work.
Common types of bike accident injuries include:
Skin Abrasions
Road rash occurs when unprotected skin scrapes against road surfaces like gravel or asphalt, causing a friction burn.
Head Injuries
Depending on the accident and whether the cyclist was wearing a helmet, head injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), can occur.
Facial Trauma
Cyclists may experience facial cuts, scrapes, bruises, or fractures from an accident, including broken noses or dental injuries.
Broken Bones
Broken collarbones, wrists, arms, hands, and facial bones are other common bicycle accident injuries.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue damage includes sprains or strains to muscles or ligaments, such as whiplash. While you may have heard that the minor injury cap in Alberta limits how much compensation you can recover for minor injuries like whiplash, we recommend speaking with a legal professional before assuming your claim will be limited.
Who May Be Liable in an Edmonton Bicycle Accident?
Being liable means being legally responsible for what happened. Holding someone liable for a bike accident involves proving that their carelessness led to the resulting injuries and losses. But don’t worry—our team will handle this for you and make sure it’s done right.
Possible liable parties in a bicycle injury claim include:
- Careless or reckless drivers
- Other cyclists
- Property owners
- The cyclists themselves
Even if you think you played a part in what happened, you may still be able to file a claim. Under Alberta’s Contributory Negligence Act, injured cyclists can recover compensation if they are partially at fault, but the amount is reduced by their percentage of fault. For example, a cyclist who is 30% at fault for a bike accident will have their compensation proportionately reduced by 30%.
What Compensation Is Available After an Edmonton Bicycle Accident?
After a bike accident, you may be eligible to recover compensation for your financial losses and physical and emotional suffering, including:
- Paramedical bills
- Cost of future care
- Loss of current and future wages
- Repair or replacement cost for your bike
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Out-of-pocket and long-term expenses can add up quickly and affect your ability to support yourself or your loved ones. That’s why our Edmonton personal injury lawyers carefully consider the full scope of your losses and how your injury might affect your future. We work to secure fair compensation that reflects what you’ve been through and how it’s impacted your life, so you can focus on your recovery and moving forward.
Why Bicycle Accident Claims in Edmonton Can Be Complex
Bike accident claims can be challenging in many ways. For one, you may be caught off guard when the insurance company tries to shift the blame to you.
You may also experience delayed symptoms, resulting in the insurance company questioning whether your injuries were caused by the accident. Additionally, there may be a lack of evidence related to liability and a lack of witness statements to support your claim.
While these claims are complex, our team has the experience and resources to help. We are meticulous with our investigations and collect relevant evidence that can strengthen your claim. We’ll level the playing field with the insurance companies to ensure your rights are protected.
Our Legal Team Can Help You Today
We’ve seen firsthand how a bike accident can instantly change a person’s life. Our goal is to help you navigate the claims process and pursue financial relief that will help you recover.
Call (403) 273-8580 or contact us online for a free consultation today and see why we’re Lawyers You’ll Love. We’re prepared to go the extra mile to advocate for your rights and ensure you feel genuinely cared for every step of the way.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle Accident Claims
Below are answers to some of the questions we often hear about bicycle accident claims. To get answers specific to your situation, reach out to our team anytime.
What if I Was Partially at Fault as a Cyclist?
If you share blame for the accident, you may still be able to recover compensation. However, your potential compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault you share. For example, a cyclist who is 30% at fault for a bike accident would likely have their settlement of $100,000 reduced by 30% to $70,000.
Can I Still Make a Claim if There Was No Police Report?
Yes, you can file a bike accident claim with no police report. Although you can make a claim without it, we strongly recommend that you take the time to file a police report to help protect evidence.
What if the Driver Left the Scene?
If the at-fault or partially at-fault driver left the scene, report the accident to the police as soon as possible and share any details you remember. For further guidance, consider contacting a legal professional for bicycle accident legal help.
How Long Do Bicycle Accident Claims Usually Take?
How long it takes to resolve your claim will depend on several factors, including the severity of your injuries and whether you’ve reached maximum medical improvement (MMI), which is the point when your health has recovered as much as possible. This is when your doctor and legal team can accurately assess how your injury will affect your life in the long term.
While timelines for bike injury claims can range from several months to years, it’s important to understand the full impact of your injury before settling. Our team can guide you through this process and ensure any settlement offer accounts for all your losses—present and future.
How Do Insurance Benefits Work for Cyclists in Alberta?
Injured cyclists have access to Section B benefits which cover no-fault benefits including rehabilitation benefits. If you have your own automotive policy, you will make the Section B claim under your own auto insurance. If you do not, you can make a Section B claim under the insurance of the vehicle that caused the accident.
Have questions about the Alberta government’s proposed shift to a no-fault (Care-First) system? Wondering how it will impact injured Albertans?
