On a bicycle, there is almost no protection from a driver’s mistake. A glance at a phone, a hurried turn, or a pass that comes within inches instead of feet can put a rider on the pavement before there is time to react. What looks like a momentary error from behind the wheel can leave a cyclist with fractures, head trauma, spinal injuries, and months of medical treatment.
For injured riders in Fort Smith, important legal questions often begin at the crash scene. Get answers to those questions from the team at LeVar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers, which represents Arkansans injured by negligent drivers and other parties. We keep our caseload manageable so serious cases receive direct attention, and we prepare claims with the possibility of trial in mind. There are no upfront attorney’s fees, and our fee depends on recovering compensation for you.
If a driver hit you while you were riding in Fort Smith or Sebastian County, contact our law firm today for a free case evaluation.
Protecting the Rights of Cyclists Across Fort Smith and Sebastian County
People ride bicycles throughout Fort Smith as primary transportation, exercise, and recreation. A cyclist might commute on city streets during the week, ride near Chaffee Crossing on Saturday, or spend an afternoon along the Greg Smith River Trail.
Wherever bicycles and motor vehicles share space, drivers need to protect riders. A cyclist has no passenger compartment, seat belt, or airbag to absorb an impact. The driver of the motor vehicle, operating a potentially lethal machine, has a clear duty to avoid colliding with a bicyclist.
Injuries from Bike and E-Bike Crashes
The physical injuries of bike accidents can be severe, and we see:
- Broken arms, wrists, legs, and hips
- Shoulder and knee damage
- Concussions and other head injuries
- Back and neck injuries
- Spinal trauma
- Severe road rash
- Dental or facial injuries
- Permanent scarring
Some injuries are immediately obvious. Others develop over the following hours or days. A shoulder that initially feels bruised may involve a significant injury, while back pain or concussion symptoms can worsen after the adrenaline of the collision subsides.
Important Evidence in Bike and E-Bike Collision Cases
A Fort Smith bicycle accident lawyer will protect your rights, first and foremost, with evidence that supports your account. This may include:
- The damaged bicycle and helmet
- Crash-scene photographs
- Witness statements
- Surveillance or dashcam footage
- Medical records
- GPS or cycling-app data
- Vehicle damage and available vehicle data
Preserving that material early can become particularly important when the driver and cyclist give different accounts of what happened. Waiting to speak with us should not be an option for you.
Arkansas Traffic Laws and Driver Duties Owed to Bicyclists
Arkansas statutes do not treat safe passing distance as a matter of courtesy, but as a matter of law.
Passing Cyclists at a Safe Distance of at Least Three Feet
Arkansas Code § 27-51-311 requires a motorist overtaking a bicycle traveling in the same direction to exercise due care and pass to the left at a safe distance of at least three feet. The motorist must remain to the left until safely clear of the bicycle. As little as three feet of room can be the difference between a harmless pass and a serious crash.
“I Didn’t See the Bicycle” Is Not a Valid Excuse
For an Arkansas cyclist to have rights to a legal claim, the precise sequence of events matters. A driver’s statement that they “never saw the bike” does not settle the issue of responsibility. It may instead raise questions about whether the motorist was keeping an adequate lookout.
A Fort Smith bike crash injury attorney from our firm can document witness accounts, physical evidence, traffic rules, video, and other information rather than accepting an insurer’s version of the collision. Cases like yours take work, and we are ready to build yours.
Common Causes of Bike Crashes on Busy Fort Smith Corridors
Fort Smith riders encounter different risks depending on where and when they travel. Commercial corridors can see frequent turns into parking lots and driveways. Intersections create countless collision scenarios, particularly between through traffic and turning vehicles. Trucks add blind spots and wider turning paths.
A bike accident case can result from a particular dangerous act, which can be:
- Close passes
- Right-hook crashes
- Left-turn crashes
- Failure-to-yield collisions
- Dooring incidents
- Distracted-driving crashes
- Commercial-vehicle crashes
Road and Trail Conditions Can Also Contribute to Bike and E-Bike Crashes
Road conditions may also contribute. Potholes, debris, damaged pavement, or other hazards become especially dangerous when nearby traffic leaves a cyclist with nowhere to maneuver.
The Fort Smith Parks & Recreation trails system includes local routes used for cycling and other recreation, including the Greg Smith River Trail and trails around Chaffee Crossing. Whether a collision happens near a recreational route or on a busy roadway, determining responsibility requires attention to exactly where and how the crash occurred.
Securing Compensation for Severe Biking Injuries and Property Damage
A bicycle collision can generate several types of damages in a single moment. Depending on the circumstances, you may need compensation to address:
- The cost of all accident-related medical care (including future care)
- Physical rehabilitation costs
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Other legally recoverable losses
Property losses matter too. Preserve damaged items rather than immediately throwing them away, including:
- The bicycle
- Helmet
- Cycling computer
- Lights
- Clothing and shoes
- Bags or panniers
- Other cycling equipment
Photographs, receipts, repair estimates, and replacement information can help establish the extent of property damage.
We Can Protect You from Settling Your Bicycle Accident Claim Too Soon
Insurance companies may push for a resolution while you’re still undergoing treatment. Accepting such an early settlement is risky, as the insurance company may intentionally undervalue the long-term cost of your injuries.
For a cyclist with a complicated fracture, spinal injury, or other potentially catastrophic ailment, returning to work may take months. Some injured cyclists never work again. We always account for such professional consequences.
Don’t settle without thinking about your recovery and future needs. Let us fight for you.
How Our Law Firm Build Strong Bike and E-Bike Accident Cases
Insurance companies thrive on confusion. LeVar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers starts with the factual record.
We build strong cases one brick at a time, often bolstering the injured cyclist’s case by:
- Preserving time-sensitive video
- Reviewing police documentation
- Interviewing witnesses
- Examining physical damage
- Gathering medical records
- Documenting lost income
- Identifying applicable insurance coverage
- Challenging unsupported allegations against the cyclist
- Going to trial when negotiations fail
Why Cyclists Trust Our Law Firm to Fight Insurance Companies
LeVar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers intentionally maintains a manageable caseload. Attorney Alan LeVar, a native Arkansan, is directly involved in representing clients. Each client’s case matters to us, and they know the lawyer who is fighting for their best interests.
We’re Ready to Take Your Case to Trial
Our lawyers give serious bike and e-bike injury cases the time and preparation they require, and we build every case as if it’s going to trial. We work to maximize your compensation.
Legal Services in Spanish
We offer legal services in Spanish so you and your loved ones can get all the information you need without confusion. It’s our way of serving the Spanish-speaking community in Sebastian County and throughout Arkansas.
Free and Confidential Consultations
All consultations are free and no-obligation. You do not have to pay anything to speak with a qualified attorney and share what happened. We’ll let you know if you have a case and what steps to take next.
You Pay Nothing Unless We Win
We work on a contingency fee basis. That means we get paid if we secure a settlement or win a verdict in court. If we don’t win, clients do not have to pay. It’s how we invest in you and your case.
Contact Our Fort Smith Bicycle Accident Lawyers Near You
If a negligent motorist or commercial driver injured you while cycling in Fort Smith or Sebastian County, LeVar Law Injury & Accident Lawyers is here for you. For a free consultation with a skilled bike and e-bike injury lawyer near you, contact our law firm today.
Frequently Asked Questions About Bike Accident Lawsuits
Below are some common questions about bike accidents and e-bike injury lawsuits we’ve received from past clients over the years.
Yes. Arkansas requires motorists overtaking bicycles traveling in the same direction to exercise due care and provide a safe passing distance of at least three feet. The motorist must remain to the left until safely clear.
A close pass may become important evidence when a cyclist is struck or forced from a safe line of travel.
Report the collision to law enforcement and seek appropriate medical attention. Provide as much information about the vehicle as you can remember.
When possible:
- Get witness contact information
- Photograph the scene
- Preserve your bicycle and equipment
- Identify nearby cameras
- Save GPS or cycling-app data
- Keep your medical documentation
A hit-and-run driver may later be identified. Even when that does not happen, available insurance coverage should be reviewed before assuming there is no potential source of compensation.
Yes, as long as you were less than 50% at fault. However, an insurance company may still cite the absence of a bike helmet when disputing damages for certain injuries. The relevance of that argument depends on the facts, medical evidence, and applicable Arkansas law.
An insurer may argue that a cyclist was difficult to see, entered traffic unexpectedly, failed to yield, ignored a traffic control device, or otherwise contributed to the collision.
Those claims should be compared with evidence such as:
- Crash-scene photographs
- Vehicle and bicycle damage
- Witness accounts
- Video recordings
- Police documentation
- GPS or cycling data
An adjuster’s allegation is not proof of what happened.