Oklahoma City
Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Ylla | Gosney defends every Oklahoman that needs defending
Ylla|Gosney Attorneys at Law represents Oklahoma City bicycle accident victims after frightening collisions.
We help riders and their families demand full support from negligent drivers and their insurance companies.
We want our clients to be able to pay their hospital bills and get back on their bikes as soon as possible.
Our skilled Oklahoma City attorneys provide free case consultations to all victims.
Contact us today to make sure you understand what your case is worth.
When Do I Need a Lawyer After a Bicycle Accident?
If you suffer a serious injury in a bicycle accident, you could need to protect your case with the help of an Oklahoma Bicycle Accident Lawyer.
You see, when recovery costs go higher than just a trip to an emergency room, car insurance companies begin to stress over the compensation they may have to pay out. They usually react by trying to devalue a cyclist’s injuries and financial hardships. Insurance adjusters hope this makes it easier to slide a “lowball” settlement offer past victims.
Your lawyer is your safeguard against this treatment. Your attorney examines any bicycle accident settlement offer and rejects it if it doesn’t cover every damage you’ve suffered. Your attorney then demands more. Your attorney also has evidence ready in case an adjuster tries to falsely blame you for an accident or claims that your injury was preexisting.
Bicycling Dangers on Oklahoma City Streets
Bicyclists in Oklahoma have as much right to the lanes as any driver, but many local motorists either ignore the law or don’t bother to know the laws about showing care to all cyclists. A distracted driver can fail to monitor for the presence of a rider and make a right or left turn in front of a bicyclist.
Riders on busy Oklahoma streets like Classen Boulevard enjoy some bike lanes, but those lanes aren’t a guarantee of safety with drivers who are looking at cell phones and speeding instead of showing care towards the most vulnerable people using the lanes.
An impact between a car, truck, or SUV, can leave a rider on the pavement and in the path of other unsuspecting drivers. The injuries can be devastating. It’s why an attorney at Ylla|Gosney would be fighting not just to get every current medical bill paid by a car insurance company. It’s also critical to make sure victims have the money they need to pay for care that could be needed in the years to come. That could include physical therapy and additional surgeries.
OKC Bicycle Accident Statistics
What If I Wasn’t Wearing a Bicycle Helmet When I Was Hit?
Bicycle Accidents at Intersections
Bicycle Accidents Caused by Potholes
Bicycle Accidents Involving Children in OKC
Does Oklahoma City Have Its Own Bicycle Laws?
Yes—and if you’re riding through downtown, around Lake Hefner, or cutting across Classen Boulevard, it’s important to know the rules that apply specifically to Oklahoma City. Like all cities in Oklahoma, OKC follows state bicycle laws laid out in the Oklahoma Statutes. But the city also has its own set of ordinances to address bike safety and traffic behavior on a more local level.
Under OKC’s Municipal Code, bicycles are considered vehicles—which means you have many of the same rights and responsibilities as someone driving a car. That includes obeying traffic signals, yielding to pedestrians, and signaling turns. But OKC adds a few bike-specific rules to its traffic laws. Some key highlights include:
- 32-479.1 – Riders have to ride in the same direction as traffic. If you’re on a designated bike path or lane, follow the arrows or signage to know whether two-way biking is allowed.
- 32-480 – You have to have at least one hand on handlebars at all times. Also, it’s illegal to attempt reckless swerving or stunt riding. Speed limits also apply to bike riders. Ride at safe, controlled speeds—especially on sidewalks and near pedestrians.
- 32-482 & § 32-485 – You must yield to traffic and pedestrians when coming off a path, sidewalk, or driveway.
- 32-486 – Bike riders can’t grab onto or hitch a ride from a motor vehicle.
- 32-487 – OKC bans sidewalk riding in business zones to protect pedestrians.
- 32-490 – At night, bikes must have a white front light and rear red reflector or light.
- 32-491 – Drivers passing a bicycle must allow at least three feet of clearance.
What About Oklahoma's State Bicycle Laws?
Statewide, Oklahoma has adopted many bike safety laws that align with national safety standards. Still, here are a few laws that every OKC bicyclist should be aware of:
- 47–11–1202 – Every person riding a bicycle or motorized scooter on a roadway has all the rights and duties of a driver, except where specific bicycle rules apply or when the law doesn’t logically fit cyclists
- 47–11–1205 – Cyclists riding slower than traffic must stay as close to the right-hand curb or edge as safely possible. On multi-lane, one-way roads, they can use the left side if safe. Passing between lanes (lane-splitting) is against the law.
What Kinds of Bike Lanes Are There in Oklahoma City?
Oklahoma City offers a mix of routes and lanes designed for bikes, each with a different level of separation from traffic. If you’re planning to ride here, it helps to understand how these routes are laid out:
- Multi-use trails – These are off-street paths where cyclists share space with walkers and runners. You’ll often find them in parks, near the Oklahoma River, or following former rail lines. They’re some of the safest and most scenic options in town.
- Dedicated bike lanes – Painted lanes along the right side of city streets, reserved for bicycles only.
- Shared roadways – These streets don’t have a separate lane, but they’re marked with “sharrows” (shared lane symbols) to remind drivers that bikes belong there, too. These are common in quieter neighborhoods or areas with slower traffic.
- Protected bike lanes – OKC has started building more protected bike lanes, which place a physical barrier—like bollards or curbs—between riders and moving traffic. These are still limited but growing.
If you’re out riding in Oklahoma City, you’ll likely find a mix of all of these. Plus, organizations and groups like BikeWalkOKC are increasing visibility and funding for more lanes and other projects.
- 47–11–202 – Standard traffic signal rules apply – green means go, yellow means caution, and red means stop. Bike riders may proceed cautiously through a steady red after stopping, if no hazard is present
- 47–15–101 – Chapters 10–14 of Title 47 (which include bicycle-related rules) are uniform statewide, and city ordinances can’t conflict with them unless expressly allowed
- 47–11–1111 – It’s illegal for anyone to throw or drop any object at or onto a moving vehicle–a law meant to protect drivers, bike riders, and pedestrians alike.
Bicycle laws set the groundwork for safety, but they can only go so far. That’s why Oklahoma City has also taken steps to improve its streets, paths, and signage to support riders at every skill level. The city’s growing bike network is designed not just to get you from point A to point B–but to do it with fewer risks and more peace of mind.
What Kinds of Bike Lanes Are There in Oklahoma City?
Oklahoma City offers a mix of routes and lanes designed for bikes, each with a different level of separation from traffic. If you’re planning to ride here, it helps to understand how these routes are laid out:
Multi- Use Trails
These are off-street paths where cyclists share space with walkers and runners. You’ll often find them in parks, near the Oklahoma River, or following former rail lines. They’re some of the safest and most scenic options in town. Pictured here is the mulit-use trail found at Riverside Park.
Dedicated Bike Lanes
Painted lanes along the right side of city streets, these are lanes that are for bicycles only. Pictured below is the dedicated bike lane found on Classen Avenue.
Shared Roadways
These streets don’t have a separate lane, but they’re marked with “sharrows” (shared lane symbols) to remind drivers that bikes belong there, too. These are common in quieter neighborhoods or areas with slower traffic. Pictured below is an example of “sharrows” you’ll find throughout the city.
Protected Bike Lanes
OKC has started building more protected bike lanes, which place a physical barrier—like bollards or curbs—between riders and moving traffic. These are still limited but growing. Pictured here is the protected bike lane along Grand Boulevard.
Common Injuries Suffered by Cyclists
Settlement checks must be enough to cover every hardship cyclists can face because the injuries can be life-altering. Victims can break legs and suffer chest injuries. They may not be able to resume bike rides for weeks or months. They could have to permanently give up bike rides if an injury develops into something long-term.
Hospitals around Oklahoma City treat these and other serious bicycle accident injuries regularly:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) – Oklahoma doesn’t have a statewide bicycle helmet mandate. But even with a helmet on, cyclists forced from their bikes can suffer dangerous head trauma. An impact absorbed by the head can cause severe concussions, a loss of control of bodily functions, and even seizures.
- Bone Fractures – Cyclists may break their wrists and arms when they instinctively throw their hands out to catch themselves in a fall. Chest injuries are also common. Clavicles, collarbones, and ribs are commonly treated. Skull fractures and hip fractures are also possible.
- Soft Tissue Damage – Muscles, tendons, and ligaments can stretched or torn. Internal organs and the tissue that holds them in place can suffer damage.
- Amputation – Amputation can occur in the blunt force trauma of the crash or be suffered after cyclists are run over by a vehicle. Sometimes a limb must be surgically removed later to protect the life of a rider.
- Paralysis – A spine injury can leave cyclists unable to move their legs or anything below their necks. This may be a temporary condition, but it could result in a lifelong permanent disability.
- Face and Teeth Damage – A cyclist might hit face-first to endure permanent scarring, a broken nose, and fractures in other facial bones. Teeth might be knocked out or loosened.
- Road Rash – Cyclists suffer skin abrasions by sliding on the ground or across road surfaces. An infection could develop. Skin grafts are sometimes necessary to repair the damage.
Earning Support for Child Bike Accident Victims
Ylla|Gosney Attorneys at Law want to protect young riders who have been hurt by careless motorists. Small children on bikes can be closer to the wheels of a speeding car and endure terrible injuries. They are also more easily sent under vehicles.
Our skilled attorneys know that young victims usually require more in support than adult patients. This is because children are still growing when they suffer injuries. A broken bone may partially heal, but the damage can reappear in the years ahead. Child victims may experience problems as their bodies develop in the teen years. Surgery and physical therapy could be necessary to make sure children reach adulthood normally.
We represent parents and their children to ensure that young victims never have to worry about paying for the care they need, no matter when they experience medical issues.
Compensation Available for Bicycle Accident Victims
Bicycle collision victims must hold at-fault drivers and their insurance providers fully accountable for their hardships after an accident.
This will of course include the economic damages like doctor bills and lost paychecks. But, victims should receive compensation for the intense pain they may have been exposed to and the pain they may have to live with moving forward. These and other non-economic damages should contribute to the amount on a bicycle accident settlement check.
Your lawyer will make sure these damages are mentioned in a claim, and include some you may not have known could earn you and your family extra compensation:
- Support for current doctor bills and those expected in the future.
- Lifelong support for victims who suffer permanent physical disabilities or disfigurements.
- Support for the physical pain victims are forced to endure.
- Support for the emotional trauma victims are forced to cope with. This might include PTSD symptoms stemming from the moment of impact and fears about getting back on a bike.
- Money to pay for transportation costs to get to doctor’s appointments and to see out-of-state specialists.
- Compensation for the lost income victims suffer while out of work.
- Money to replace a bike and other property that’s been damaged.
- In the case of wrongful death, money so that families can pay for a funeral and pay off remaining medical bills. Close relatives should also get help in replacing the income the deceased can no longer provide the family. They could also ask for support for the care and guidance that will no longer be available to a spouse and children in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I ask for compensation after an accident if I wasn’t wearing a bicycle helmet?
Yes. Oklahoma has no bicycle helmet mandate. The driver would still be held at fault even if you weren’t wearing a helmet. A helmet can help reduce the severity of injuries and even be life-saving in some cases.
Can I get injury compensation if I’m struck by a hit-and-run driver?
Yes. If a hit-and-run suspect is never identified, bicycle accident victims can file claims with their own car insurance provider if they have a policy. An uninsured motorist claim would provide support for medical bills and lost time at work.
How long can I wait to file an Oklahoma bicycle accident claim?
Two years. Oklahoma bicycle accident victims have up to two years to file injury claims. Acting quickly is still the best strategy because waiting can make evidence harder to find and witnesses more difficult to locate.
How Does BikeOKC Help Keep Riders Safe?
Oklahoma City isn’t just focused on adding more bike lanes–it’s rethinking how people move through the city. A major part of that shift comes from BikeWalkOKC, the city’s long-term plan to make biking and walking safer, easier, and more accessible for everyone. First adopted in 2018, this initiative is the city’s roadmap for building a more bike-friendly future by focusing on the following goals:
Making it easier for people to walk or bike instead of drive—especially for short trips.
Designing safer intersections, crossings, and corridors for riders and pedestrians.
Improving public health and air quality by reducing car dependency.
Focusing on equity by prioritizing projects in areas where people need safer, more affordable transportation.
Creating a network of connected routes that work for all ages and riding abilities.
While this initiative and its goals are a great start, bicycle accidents still happen in OKC. According to data from the Oklahoma Highway Safety Office (OHSO), the city saw:
- 519 accidents that left bike riders facing injuries between 2015 and 2021.
Obviously, bicycle accidents are frustrating–especially given all the resources that the city dedicates to keeping riders safe. But the reality is that because they happen, it’s vital to know what you should do after you’re in one.
What Should You Do If You’re in a Bicycle Accident in Oklahoma City?
One of the toughest parts of getting injured in a bike accident in Oklahoma City is how little control you have over what happens. Even if you follow traffic rules and stay alert, you can’t predict how others are going to act. So, it’s important to know what to do when you’re in one of these accidents:
- Call 911 – The first thing you should do is get to safety, but from there, make sure to call 911 for an ambulance. Let the EMTs take care of any immediate injuries, but you should also follow up with your doctor just to be safe. Certain injuries won’t show up immediately, and medical records can help your claim.
- Talk to the police – Have the 911 dispatcher alert the OKCPD and report the accident. They should come to the scene and will also help you gather certain information from others that you’ll need later.
- Exchange information with others – You can (and should) get contact and insurance details from everyone involved in the accident on your own. If you don’t feel comfortable (or if the driver leaves) you can ask the police for help.
- Get visual evidence – If it still works, take pictures and videos of the accident scene, your bike, your injuries, and any damage with your phone. If it doesn’t work, use somebody else’s. This visual evidence can be very helpful later.
- Save everything – Don’t fix or repair anything that’s damaged, especially your bike. This will be important for documentation.
- Be careful with statements – Whenever you talk to people at the scene, especially the police and later with insurance reps, be careful. Just stick to the facts about what happened and don’t admit any fault or try to speculate. The fewer statements you make, the less an insurance company will have to use against you.
You never want to be in a bicycle accident, but taking these steps will certainly help you–and will give you a solid foundation if you want to take action later. From there, our team will be there to guide and support you from start to finish.
Contact an Oklahoma City Bicycle Accident Lawyer
We have an extensive background in safeguarding Oklahoma City bicycle accident victims. At Ylla | Gosney Attorneys At Law, we are advocates for safe bicycle rides for every rider. We offer a free, no-obligation case review with a real Oklahoma City Bicycle Accident Lawyer.
There’s no pressure to file suit or even use our services if you decide to file. That way, you know everything you need to know before you decide.
Keep in mind that you won’t need any upfront money to hire us. We don’t accept payment unless we win your case. Then our fee comes out of the settlement you receive.
We also adjust our fees to make sure you keep what you need to rebuild your life and return to the bike rides you love.
