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St. Louis Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Bicycle accidents are far too common in St. Louis, and they can be some of the most serious crashes imaginable. Cofman Townsley’s personal injury lawyers have years of experience helping people injured because of someone else’s negligence, and we are here to help you navigate the challenges you face after a serious bicycle accident.

It’s important to speak to an experienced personal injury attorney to understand your legal options and how much you might be owed in compensation. Contact our team today for a free consultation.

Bicycle Accidents Can Have Devastating Consequences

What if your morning bike ride ended with no one stopping to help and no one knowing who did it? On December 13, 2025, 62-year-old Craig Harris was riding his bicycle southbound on Union Boulevard when an unknown vehicle struck him and fled the scene. He didn’t survive. The driver still hasn’t been found.

Craig’s story is a painful reminder of how a routine ride can turn tragic and how vulnerable cyclists are when drivers are careless or choose to run. In St. Louis, bicycle accidents happen far too often, and the aftermath can mean mounting medical bills, lost income, and a legal process that feels impossible to process alone.

At Cofman Townsley, we believe that shouldn’t be the end of the story. If you or someone you love was hurt in a bicycle accident, we’re here to help you understand your rights and fight for accountability.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Here are some common causes of accidents in St. Louis:

Distracted Driving

Cyclists face serious danger when drivers take their eyes off the road. A quick text, a reach for the phone, or even grabbing a drink can cause a driver to miss a cyclist sharing the lane entirely, and unlike car occupants, cyclists have no steel frame or airbags to absorb the impact.

Dooring

Doorings, or door collisions, are a major hazard for bicyclists on busy St. Louis streets. These accidents occur when drivers or passengers open car doors into an oncoming rider’s path without checking for traffic, often ejecting cyclists into oncoming vehicles and causing severe injuries. This risk is heightened in areas like Central West End or near Tower Grove Park.

Speeding

Speeding doesn’t just make crashes more likely. It makes them far more dangerous. At higher speeds, drivers have less time to notice cyclists, react, and adjust their position on the road. That split-second delay can be the difference between safely passing a rider and causing a serious collision. For bicyclists, the risk is even greater. Without any real protection, the force of a high-speed impact can lead to severe or fatal injuries.

Road Hazards

Unpredictable road conditions are a common cause of bicycle accidents. Potholes, road debris, and slippery surfaces can cause a cyclist to lose control, especially on busy roads like Kingshighway Boulevard, where heavy traffic and wear can create hidden hazards.

Common Injuries from St. Louis Bicycle Accidents

Cyclists have virtually no protection in a collision. No seatbelt, no airbag, no steel frame—just the full force of impact. That’s why bicycle accidents lead to injuries that are not just painful but life-changing. Some injuries include:

Some of these injuries heal. Others don’t. Permanent disability, chronic pain, and the inability to return to work are realities many accident victims face, and they deserve to be fully accounted for in any claim.

Understanding Bicycle Laws in Missouri

If you’ve been hurt in a bicycle accident in St. Louis, knowing your legal rights under Missouri law is one of the most important steps you can take toward recovery. Here’s what the law says:

  • Equal Rights on the Road: Under Missouri law, every person riding a bicycle on a street or highway has the same rights and duties as any other driver. If a motorist violated those rights and caused your accident, you have grounds to pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

  • Highest Degree of Care: Missouri law requires every motorist to drive in a careful and prudent manner and exercise the highest degree of care. This means a driver cannot do anything that endangers a cyclist, even if it would otherwise appear legal.

  • Safe Passing: When overtaking a cyclist, a driver must leave a safe distance and maintain that clearance until safely past. Violating this law is a traffic offense and if an accident results, it becomes a Class C misdemeanor.

  • Dooring Law: No person may open a car door into moving traffic unless it is reasonably safe to do so. If a car door caused your accident, the driver may be held liable.

  • Comparative Negligence: Missouri follows a pure comparative fault system, meaning you can still recover damages even if you were partly at fault. Your compensation is reduced by your percentage of fault.

  • Statute of Limitations: You have five years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury claim in Missouri. For wrongful death cases, the deadline is three years. Acting quickly protects your evidence and your rights.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in St. Louis

The moments after a bicycle accident are chaotic and overwhelming. But what you do and don’t do in those early hours can impact your health and your legal case. Here’s what to do:

1. Call 911: This brings emergency services and the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department to the scene, who will file an official accident report, a critical document that supports any future legal claim.

2. Seek Medical Attention Right Away: Even if you feel fine, some injuries, like brain and spinal injuries, don’t show symptoms immediately. St. Louis has Level I Trauma Centers equipped to treat serious bicycle accident injuries, including:

Other major emergency facilities in the area include Mercy Hospital St. Louis.

3. Document Everything: Take photos of your injuries, the accident scene, your bike, and any vehicle involved. Get the driver’s name, insurance information, and contact details of any witnesses.

4. Don’t Speak to the Insurance Company Alone: Insurance adjusters may contact you after the accident. Anything you say can be used to minimize your claim. Let an attorney handle those conversations.

5. Contact a Bicycle Accident Attorney: The sooner you involve an attorney, the better. Early legal guidance protects your rights from the start.

How Our Bicycle Accident Attorneys Can Help You

Choosing the right legal representation can make a huge difference in how your case is handled and the outcome you receive. With years of serving St. Louis injury victims, we understand this city, its roads, and the real impact a bicycle accident can have on your life. Here’s how we help:

1. Investigate Your Accident: We gather evidence, review the police report, interview witnesses, and reconstruct the events of your crash to build the strongest possible case.

2. Deal With Insurance Companies: Insurers move fast to minimize payouts. We handle all communications on your behalf, so nothing you say is used against you.

3. Establish Liability: We identify every party responsible for your accident, whether that’s a distracted driver, a negligent road authority, or a vehicle manufacturer.

4. Fight for Proper Compensation: We pursue full and fair compensation for:

  • Medical bills and future treatment costs
  • Lost wages and reduced earning capacity
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
  • Property damage, including bike repair or replacement
  • Long-term disability and rehabilitation costs
  • Wrongful death damages for families who have lost a loved one.

Reach Out to Cofman Townsley Bicycle Accident Lawyers Today

A bicycle accident can change your life in an instant. Medical bills pile up, time off work adds financial pressure, and the legal process can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re still trying to heal.

You don’t have to navigate this alone. At Cofman Townsley, we’ve spent decades fighting for personal injury victims across Greater St. Louis, Missouri, and Southern Illinois. Real people. Real results. Contact us today to schedule a free case review. There are no upfront fees, and you don’t pay unless we win.