Columbus Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Holding Negligent Motorists Accountable Legally & Financially in Ohio

A bicycle crash can upend everything in a moment, from medical bills and time off work to the fight with an insurer that wants to minimize your injuries. Our Columbus team focuses on the unique challenges cyclists face on city streets and trails, moving fast to secure evidence, protect your rights under Ohio law, and pursue full compensation from the drivers and companies responsible.

Rourke & Blumenthal has the resources necessary to investigate the crash and win your case. Bicycle accident cases often involve disputed facts and contested liability. If warranted by the facts in your case, the Columbus bicycle accident lawyers at Rourke & Blumenthal will work with top experts in accident reconstruction and human factors to obtain the information needed to prove your case. If we are not successful in obtaining a recovery for your bicycle accident case, you will not be responsible for repaying Rourke & Blumenthal for the expenses advanced by Rourke & Blumenthal to pursue your claim.

Make negligent drivers pay—call Rourke & Blumenthal’s bicycle crash team at (614) 321-3212 for a same-day attorney consult.

Ohio Bike Laws

Cyclists face unique challenges while sharing the roadway with motorists. Ohio law requires cyclists to ride as far to the right side of the roadway as practicable. This flexible standard is meant to let motorists pass cyclists on the left while allowing cyclists to move further into the roadway to avoid threats like car doors and potholes on the right. 

The flexibility of the “practicable” standard can create confusion and misunderstanding, which can lead to assertions by insurers and defense attorneys that the cyclist was at fault in causing the collision. Insurers and defense attorneys may also seek to diminish driver responsibility by blaming head and other injuries on the cyclist’s lack of protective gear and proper lighting.

These issues and the serious nature of injuries often sustained by cyclists in collisions add an extra level of complexity to bicycle injury cases. An experienced bicycle accident attorney will guide you through your case and work to explain the facts, law, and circumstances of your bicycle accident to insurers, defense attorneys, and jurors. Simply put, an experienced attorney will help to ensure that you receive the best outcome for your bicycle injury case.

In Columbus and throughout Franklin County, questions about how Ohio bike laws apply often arise after crashes on busy routes such as High Street, Broad Street, or near The Ohio State University campus. Understanding where you were riding, the traffic controls in place, and how drivers are required to share the road can make a significant difference in how fault is evaluated. When you work with a bicycle accident lawyer who knows how local law enforcement and courts apply these rules, you gain an advocate who can clearly present your conduct under the law and counter attempts to unfairly blame you for simply riding your bike.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Columbus

Many bicycle collisions in and around Columbus share similar causes, and understanding these patterns can help riders and families recognize when another party may be legally responsible. Crashes frequently occur when drivers fail to yield while turning at intersections, open car doors into the path of cyclists, or pass too closely on busy city streets. Poor visibility, distracted driving, and speeding can further increase the risk, especially in areas with heavy traffic and complex lane patterns.

Outdoor recreation spots, downtown business districts, and corridors leading to neighborhoods often see a mix of cyclists, pedestrians, and vehicles, which can create dangerous situations when drivers are not paying full attention. Roads such as Cleveland Avenue, Parsons Avenue, and sections of I-71 access roads can involve fast-moving traffic that leaves little room for error when a cyclist is present. By reviewing the scene, traffic camera footage when available, and witness accounts, a bicycle accident attorney can determine whether a driver, employer, or other entity failed to follow the rules of the road.

Some incidents stem from unsafe road design, missing signage, or neglected maintenance that leaves deep potholes or hazardous debris in bike lanes and along the right side of the roadway. In these situations, potential responsibility may extend beyond a single driver and require careful analysis of which public or private entities were in charge of the area. A bicycle accident attorney Columbus riders turn to for guidance can examine whether additional claims should be explored, which can be especially important when a crash near locations such as the Franklin County Courthouse or major commuter routes results in serious or lasting injuries.

Why Insurance Companies Are Not on Your Side

Our attorneys have the knowledge necessary to effectively negotiate with insurers. It is not the job of insurance companies to give you a fair deal. They will do their best to pay as little as possible and to undermine your claim. Insurance adjusters know that the attorneys at Rourke & Blumenthal passionately pursue our clients’ cases during negotiations and, if necessary, in litigation. This allows us to achieve great results for our clients.

After a serious bicycle crash, adjusters may contact you quickly and seem friendly, but their questions are designed to collect statements that can be used to reduce your recovery. They might ask for broad medical authorizations, push you to accept an early settlement before you understand the full extent of your injuries, or suggest that you do not need a bicycle accident lawyer to resolve the claim. By letting our team handle communications, you can focus on your medical care while we document your losses, work with medical professionals, and push back against tactics aimed at minimizing what you are owed under Ohio law.

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