Bicycle crash.
Cyclist rights.
Missouri cyclists have the same rights to the road as motor vehicles and the same right to recover when a driver causes their injuries. Insurance carriers often treat cyclist claims with the same bias they apply to motorcyclists. We work the case from the physics of the crash to the medical records to the visibility evidence, and we recover the full value of the loss.
Missouri bicycle law that affects your case
- Cyclists have the rights and duties of vehicle drivers under RSMo §307.180. That includes right-of-way at intersections and lawful use of any roadway except limited-access freeways.
- No helmet law. Missouri does not require adults to wear bicycle helmets. Not wearing one does not bar your claim, although carriers will argue it limits damages from head injuries.
- Three-foot passing rule. Several Missouri municipalities have ordinances requiring drivers to give cyclists at least three feet of clearance when passing.
- Dooring. A parked driver opening a door into the path of a cyclist is per se negligent under most Missouri municipal codes. These cases are highly recoverable.
- Comparative fault. Pure comparative fault under RSMo §537.765 — even a partly-at-fault cyclist recovers.
Common Missouri bicycle crash patterns
- Left-cross. Driver makes a left turn across the cyclist's path. The most common urban bike-versus-car pattern and almost always the driver's fault.
- Right-hook. Driver passes the cyclist and immediately turns right across the cyclist's lane.
- Dooring. Parked-car driver opens door without checking, sending cyclist into traffic or to the pavement.
- Hit-from-behind. Driver fails to maintain proper lookout. Often involves distraction or impairment.
- Intersection right-of-way. Driver fails to yield to cyclist who has lawful priority.
- Hit-and-run. Cyclist's own auto UM/UIM coverage often applies even when on the bike.
What we handle
- Vehicle-versus-bicycle collisions on roadways
- Dooring cases against parked drivers and rideshare/Uber/Lyft drivers
- Intersection right-of-way cases
- Road-defect cases against municipalities (with the 90-day notice deadline)
- Catastrophic-injury cases including TBI, spinal cord injury, multiple fractures
- Wrongful death cycling cases under RSMo §537.080
- Cases involving child cyclists (which require different damages models and consent considerations)
- UM/UIM recovery for hit-and-run and uninsured-motorist cyclist crashes
Frequently asked questions
Do I have a case if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
Yes. Missouri does not require adult cyclists to wear helmets. Not wearing one does not bar your claim, although carriers will argue it reduced your damages from a head injury under comparative fault.
What is the statute of limitations for a Missouri bicycle accident?
Five years from the date of the crash under RSMo §516.120 for personal injury, three years for wrongful death under RSMo §537.100. If a city street defect contributed (pothole, missing signage), the government-claim notice deadline can be as short as 90 days.
Can I recover if the driver who hit me sped off?
Yes — your own auto insurance’s uninsured-motorist coverage typically protects you on the bike even though the vehicle wasn’t involved. Missouri requires UM coverage at $25,000/$50,000 minimums. We often find clients have more coverage than they realized once we review all family policies.
How much is a Missouri bike crash case worth?
Bicycle case value depends on injury severity, treatment, lost wages, permanent restrictions, comparative-fault questions, and the available auto liability coverage plus your own UM/UIM coverage. Dooring and other clear-liability scenarios make the case easier to prove, but the dollar value still turns on the injuries and the applicable policies. No lawyer can quote a meaningful number without reviewing the medical records and insurance. Every case is different and past results do not predict future outcomes.
What if I was riding on the sidewalk?
Sidewalk riding is allowed in most Missouri jurisdictions but carries reduced right-of-way at driveways and intersections. A driver still has a duty to look before crossing a sidewalk. Comparative fault may apply but does not bar recovery.