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Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Hawaii
Whether cruising on the south side or on your way to work, bicycle accidents on Maui happen quickly and without warning. Renting a bicycle on Maui is usually a good way to get around certain parts of the island. But when a driver is careless and not paying attention, you can easily get hurt.
Bicyclists have far less protection than people inside passenger vehicles, which means even a relatively low-speed collision can result in serious injuries. Head injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones, and other trauma can lead to emergency treatment, time away from work, and a recovery that lasts much longer than expected.
Not every bicycle injury involves a careless driver. Accidents may also happen during guided bicycle tours, while using a rental bicycle, or because of unsafe road, trail, or property conditions. When another person or business may have contributed to the accident, it is important to understand who may be responsible and what insurance coverage may be available.
Lowenthal & Lowenthal helps injured bicyclists throughout Maui and Hawaii understand what comes next. We can investigate how the accident happened, deal with the insurance issues, and explain the options available for pursuing compensation for medical expenses, lost income, pain, and other losses connected to the injury.
What You'll Learn on This Page
Bicycle Tour and Rental Bike Accidents
Bicycle tours and rental bikes give visitors an easy way to explore Maui, but these accidents can involve more than a careless driver. A crash may be connected to a poorly maintained bicycle, unsafe equipment, inadequate instructions, a dangerous route, or a hazard the rider was not reasonably prepared for. When a tour company or rental business contributes to the accident, it may be possible to pursue a claim against that business as well as any other responsible party.
After a serious bicycle tour or rental accident, it can be important to preserve the bicycle, rental agreement, waiver, photographs, and information about where the crash occurred. These details can help determine whether there was a mechanical problem, an unsafe condition, or another issue that should have been addressed before the ride. You do not need to know exactly who was at fault before speaking with an attorney.
Visitors may also worry about what happens if they need to return home before the claim is resolved. In many cases, a Hawaii injury claim can continue after you leave the islands, and Lowenthal & Lowenthal can help coordinate the process while you continue medical treatment at home. Our attorneys can investigate what happened, identify the parties who may be responsible, and explain your options without making an already difficult situation more complicated.
Common Injuries From Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents can cause serious injuries because riders have very little protection from the force of a vehicle, the road, or another object. Lowenthal & Lowenthal can help document the full impact of these injuries and build a claim that reflects both the immediate harm and the longer-term consequences.
Traumatic Brain Injuries. A blow to the head can cause a concussion or a more serious brain injury affecting memory, concentration, balance, communication, and other abilities. Lowenthal & Lowenthal can help connect the medical evidence to the real-world effects the injury has had on your work, independence, and daily life.
Spinal Cord Injuries. Severe impacts can damage the spinal cord and lead to weakness, loss of sensation, reduced mobility, or partial or complete paralysis. Our attorneys can help document future medical care, rehabilitation needs, assistive equipment, and other long-term losses associated with the injury.
Neck and Back Injuries. Bicycle crashes can injure discs, vertebrae, nerves, and soft tissues in the neck and back, sometimes causing chronic pain or lasting limitations. We can help evaluate how these injuries affect your ability to work, move comfortably, and continue normal activities.
Broken Bones and Fractures. Cyclists commonly suffer fractures to the arms, wrists, shoulders, ribs, hips, legs, and ankles after being thrown from a bicycle or struck by a vehicle. Lowenthal & Lowenthal can help account for surgery, rehabilitation, time away from work, and other losses tied to the injury.
Internal Injuries. A significant impact can cause injuries to the chest, abdomen, or internal organs that may require emergency treatment or surgery. Our attorneys can help make sure these serious medical consequences are fully considered when evaluating the claim.
Shoulder, Knee, and Joint Injuries. Riders often brace for impact or land awkwardly, leading to torn ligaments, dislocations, and other joint injuries. We can help document how these injuries affect mobility, work, and everyday activities during recovery.
Road Rash and Soft Tissue Injuries. Sliding across pavement can cause painful abrasions, scarring, sprains, strains, and other soft tissue damage. Even when these injuries do not require surgery, they may still cause significant pain, treatment needs, and disruption to daily life.
Facial and Dental Injuries. A rider who strikes the pavement, a vehicle, or another object may suffer facial fractures, cuts, dental damage, or scarring. Lowenthal & Lowenthal can help document the treatment required and any lasting physical or cosmetic effects.
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What to Do After a Bicycle Accident
The steps you take after a bicycle accident can affect both your health and your ability to pursue a claim. If you are able to do so safely, the following steps can help protect important evidence and give your attorney a stronger foundation for investigating what happened.
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Get to a safe location and call for help. If the accident involves a motor vehicle or someone is seriously injured, call 911. Police and emergency responders can document the scene, identify the people involved, speak with witnesses, and arrange medical care when needed.
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Get medical treatment as soon as possible. Bicycle crashes can cause traumatic brain injuries, spinal injuries, fractures, internal injuries, and other conditions that may not be obvious immediately. Prompt treatment protects your health and creates medical documentation connecting your injuries to the accident.
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Document the accident scene. If you can safely do so, take photographs or video of the bicycle, vehicle damage, roadway, traffic signs, bicycle lanes, skid marks, debris, lighting, and any condition that may have contributed to the crash. Conditions can change quickly after an accident, so photographs taken at the scene may become important evidence later.
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Collect driver and witness information. Obtain the driver’s name, contact information, insurance information, and vehicle details. If anyone witnessed the collision, ask for their name and contact information so your attorney can follow up with them if necessary.
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Preserve your bicycle and other evidence. Do not immediately repair or dispose of a damaged bicycle, helmet, clothing, lights, or other equipment involved in the crash. These items may help show the severity of the impact or reveal information about how the accident occurred.
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Contact Lowenthal & Lowenthal as soon as you can. The earlier our attorneys become involved, the sooner we can begin preserving evidence, communicating with insurance companies, reviewing available coverage, and investigating who may be responsible. You do not need to understand the insurance process or know exactly what your case is worth before calling us.
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Be cautious when speaking with insurance companies. An adjuster may contact you for a statement, request medical information, or discuss a settlement before the full extent of your injuries is known. Once Lowenthal & Lowenthal represents you, we can handle these communications and help protect you from resolving the claim before you understand its full impact.
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Continue your medical treatment and keep records. Follow your doctors’ recommendations and keep records of appointments, medical bills, prescriptions, time missed from work, and other accident-related expenses. Consistent documentation helps show how the injuries have affected your health, work, and everyday life.
You do not have to navigate the aftermath of a bicycle accident on your own. Contact Lowenthal & Lowenthal as early as possible so we can help protect your rights, manage the insurance process, and begin building your case while important evidence is still available.
Who May Be Responsible for a Bicycle Accident?
Determining who is responsible for a bicycle accident depends on how the crash happened and what contributed to the rider’s injuries. More than one person, business, or other party may share responsibility, and identifying every responsible party can be important to recovering the compensation available for your injuries and losses.
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A Negligent Driver. A driver may be responsible for failing to yield, driving distracted, opening a vehicle door into a bicyclist’s path, making an unsafe turn, or otherwise failing to operate safely. Lowenthal & Lowenthal can investigate the collision and pursue a claim against the driver and applicable insurance coverage.
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A Driver’s Employer. If the person who caused the crash was working at the time, an employer or business may also be legally responsible depending on the circumstances. Our attorneys will examine the driver’s employment and the purpose of the trip to determine whether another source of liability and insurance coverage exists.
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A Bicycle Tour or Rental Company. A tour operator or rental business may be responsible when an accident involves a poorly maintained bicycle, defective equipment, inadequate instructions, unsafe route selection, or negligent supervision. Lowenthal & Lowenthal can review maintenance records, waivers, company procedures, and other evidence to determine whether the business contributed to the injury.
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A Property Owner or Land Manager. Dangerous conditions on private property, trails, parking areas, or other premises may contribute to a bicycle crash. We can investigate who controlled the property, whether the hazard was known or should have been discovered, and whether reasonable steps were taken to protect riders.
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A Bicycle or Equipment Manufacturer. A defective bicycle, brake system, wheel, frame, helmet, or other component may cause or worsen an accident. Our attorneys can investigate whether a design, manufacturing, or product defect played a role and determine whether a product liability claim should be pursued.
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A Government Entity or Roadway Authority. In some cases, dangerous roadway conditions, poorly maintained surfaces, or other infrastructure problems may contribute to a crash. Claims involving government entities can have special rules and deadlines, so Lowenthal & Lowenthal can evaluate whether a public agency may share responsibility.
A bicycle accident does not always have a single responsible party. Lowenthal & Lowenthal will investigate the circumstances of the crash, identify all parties who may be legally responsible, and pursue the maximum compensation available under the facts of the case and Hawaii law.
What Insurance Applies When a Car Hits a Bicyclist?
When a motor vehicle hits a bicyclist in Hawaii, more than one type of insurance coverage may become important. Hawaii’s no-fault system allows an injured bicyclist to seek Personal Injury Protection benefits through applicable motor vehicle insurance for covered medical expenses. You do not have to be riding inside a car to potentially qualify for PIP benefits after being struck by one.
The at-fault driver’s bodily injury liability coverage may also provide compensation for losses caused by the crash, including injuries that go beyond the medical expenses addressed through PIP. The value of that claim depends on the severity of the injuries, available coverage, and how the accident has affected your life. Lowenthal & Lowenthal can identify the driver’s available insurance and handle the claim on your behalf.
Additional coverage may sometimes be available through uninsured or underinsured motorist insurance, particularly when the responsible driver has no insurance or does not have enough coverage for a serious injury. Determining which policies apply can become complicated, especially when several insurers are involved. Our attorneys can review all available insurance coverage and pursue every appropriate source of compensation rather than leaving you to sort through the insurance process on your own.
Personal Injury Protection Benefits for Bicycle Accidents
Hawaii is a no-fault state, and Personal Injury Protection benefits can help pay medical expenses after a bicyclist is struck by a motor vehicle. A bicyclist may be entitled to PIP benefits from the insurance covering the vehicle involved in the accident, even though the bicyclist was not riding in a car. These benefits can help pay for medical treatment while questions about fault and the larger injury claim are being resolved.
Hawaii requires a minimum of $10,000 in PIP coverage, although additional coverage may sometimes be available. If your treatment costs exceed the available PIP benefits, health insurance and other sources of coverage may become important. Lowenthal & Lowenthal can oversee the PIP claim, help make sure medical bills are submitted properly, and coordinate the insurance issues that arise as treatment continues.
PIP is only one part of a bicycle accident claim involving a motor vehicle. A seriously injured bicyclist may also have a bodily injury claim against the at-fault driver and, depending on the circumstances, uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage may also apply. Our attorneys can identify the available coverage and manage the insurance process so you can focus on your medical treatment and recovery.
UM and UIM Coverage After a Bicycle Accident
Uninsured motorist (UM) and underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage can become important when the driver who caused a bicycle accident has little or no insurance. UM coverage may apply when the at-fault driver is uninsured, while UIM coverage may apply when the driver’s liability limits are not enough to fully compensate you for a serious injury. These coverages can provide an additional source of compensation when the at-fault driver’s insurance is insufficient.
Depending on the circumstances and the terms of the policy, UM or UIM benefits may be available through your own automobile insurance even though you were riding a bicycle when the crash occurred. Coverage issues can become complicated, especially when multiple policies or household members are involved. Lowenthal & Lowenthal can review the available insurance policies and determine whether UM or UIM coverage may apply to your claim.
A UM or UIM claim is still an insurance claim, and the insurer will evaluate the injuries, damages, and value of the case before paying benefits. Our attorneys can document your medical treatment, lost income, future needs, and other losses while handling communications with the insurance companies involved. We will pursue all available sources of coverage so that important compensation is not overlooked.
What Compensation May Be Available?
A bicycle accident claim may involve more than one type of compensation, depending on the injuries, available insurance coverage, and how the accident affected your life. Lowenthal & Lowenthal can identify all available sources of compensation and pursue the losses supported by the facts of your case.
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Medical Expenses. Compensation may be available for emergency care, hospital treatment, surgery, diagnostic testing, medication, rehabilitation, and other medical services related to the accident. Lowenthal & Lowenthal can gather medical records and bills and make sure these costs are included when evaluating your claim.
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Future Medical Care. Serious injuries may require additional treatment, rehabilitation, surgery, assistive equipment, or long-term care. Our attorneys can help document expected future medical needs so those costs are not overlooked simply because they have not yet been incurred.
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Lost Income. If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be able to recover income lost while you are receiving treatment or recovering. Lowenthal & Lowenthal can use employment records, wage information, and other documentation to support this part of the claim.
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Reduced Earning Capacity. A serious injury may affect your ability to return to the same job, work the same hours, or earn the same income in the future. We can evaluate how long-term physical or cognitive limitations may affect your future earning ability and present that loss as part of the case.
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Pain and Suffering. Compensation may also account for the physical pain, discomfort, and limitations caused by the accident. Lowenthal & Lowenthal can help document the severity and duration of your symptoms and how they have affected your everyday life.
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Emotional Distress. A serious bicycle accident may cause anxiety, sleep problems, fear, or other emotional effects in addition to physical injuries. When supported by the circumstances and evidence, our attorneys can include these effects when evaluating the full impact of the accident.
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Loss of Enjoyment of Life. Injuries may interfere with exercise, recreation, family activities, travel, and other parts of life that were important before the crash. Lowenthal & Lowenthal can help show how the injury changed your ability to participate in those activities.
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Property Damage and Other Accident-Related Costs. A claim may also include damage to your bicycle, helmet, clothing, electronics, or other property, along with certain transportation or out-of-pocket expenses caused by the accident. We can help identify and document these additional losses as part of the overall claim.
More than one type of compensation and more than one insurance policy may apply to the same bicycle accident. Lowenthal & Lowenthal will review the available liability, PIP, UM, UIM, and other applicable coverage, identify every appropriate source of recovery, and pursue the compensation available under Hawaii law.
How Long Do You Have to File a Bicycle Injury Claim?
In Hawaii, many personal injury claims must be filed within two years after the cause of action accrues. If you wait too long, you may lose the right to pursue compensation even when another party was responsible for your injuries.
The deadline is not the same in every situation. Different rules or additional requirements may apply when a government entity is involved, when the injured person is a minor, or when other circumstances affect when the legal deadline begins or ends. The safest approach is to have an attorney review the accident as early as possible rather than assuming you have two full years to act.
Contacting Lowenthal & Lowenthal early also gives our attorneys more time to preserve photographs, witness information, insurance records, damaged bicycles, and other evidence that may become harder to obtain as time passes. We can determine which deadlines apply to your case and take the necessary steps to protect your right to pursue a claim.
Have questions about the deadline for your injury claim? Read our guide to the Hawaii Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Claims for more information about filing deadlines, possible exceptions, and why taking action early can help protect your legal rights.
How Lowenthal & Lowenthal Can Help
A serious bicycle accident can quickly become complicated when medical treatment, PIP benefits, liability insurance, UM or UIM coverage, lost income, and multiple responsible parties are involved. Lowenthal & Lowenthal can take over the legal and insurance process while helping you understand what is happening and what decisions need to be made.
When you hire Lowenthal & Lowenthal after a bicycle accident, our attorneys can help by:
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Starting the investigation before important evidence disappears. We can preserve photographs, witness information, police reports, damaged bicycles, vehicle evidence, tour or rental records, and other information that may help establish how the accident happened. Acting early can make it easier to build a clear picture of who was responsible.
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Identifying every party who may be responsible. A bicycle accident may involve a negligent driver, employer, tour company, rental business, property owner, manufacturer, government entity, or more than one of these parties. We will investigate beyond the most obvious source of fault so potentially responsible parties and available insurance coverage are not overlooked.
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Finding all available insurance coverage. Bicycle claims involving motor vehicles may include PIP, bodily injury liability, UM, UIM, and other applicable coverage. Lowenthal & Lowenthal can review the policies involved, manage the claims, and pursue the compensation available from appropriate sources.
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Documenting the full value of your injuries. Serious bicycle injuries can involve far more than the first hospital bill. We can help document future medical care, lost wages, reduced earning ability, pain, long-term limitations, and the ways the accident has changed your work, independence, and everyday life.
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Handling insurance companies on your behalf. Adjusters may request statements, medical information, or an early settlement before the full extent of your injuries is understood. Our attorneys can handle those communications, evaluate settlement offers, and help you avoid making decisions without understanding how they may affect your case.
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Helping visitors continue a Hawaii bicycle injury claim after returning home. If you were injured while riding a rental bicycle or participating in a bicycle tour, you may not need to remain in Hawaii while the case proceeds. We can coordinate the claim from Hawaii while you continue treatment and recovery at home.
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Protecting your claim before important deadlines expire. Hawaii personal injury cases are subject to filing deadlines, and some claims can involve additional notice requirements or shorter procedural deadlines. The sooner we review the case, the sooner we can determine which deadlines apply and take steps to preserve your rights.
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Providing clear guidance from the beginning of the case through its resolution. We take the time to understand how the accident affected you and explain your options in straightforward terms. Our goal is to reduce the uncertainty and legal burden so you can focus on your health and recovery.
There is a limited amount of time to pursue a bicycle injury claim, so waiting can make it more difficult to protect evidence and preserve your legal rights. If you or a family member was injured in a bicycle accident in Hawaii, contact Lowenthal & Lowenthal as soon as possible so we can review what happened and begin protecting your case.
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