A bicycle accident can throw your entire life off course. In just seconds, what was a normal ride to work, school, or the store turns into a crisis. The physical pain is immediate, but the ripple effects—lost income, medical bills, and the emotional toll—often take longer to settle in.
At Kitchel Law PLLC, we help cyclists navigate the legal and practical aftermath of serious crashes. When you work with a bicycle accident lawyer in McLean, you’re not just hiring someone to file paperwork. You’re choosing a team that stays personally involved, communicates clearly, and fights for what you need to move forward.
With 28 years of combined experience, we’ve helped clients throughout Northern Virginia rebuild their lives with confidence and clarity. If you’re searching for a McLean personal injury lawyer, we’re ready to support you.
How Bicycle Crashes Happen in McLean
McLean may feel like a safe place to ride, but traffic patterns here can be deceptive. Heavy commuter flow, fast turns off Old Dominion Drive, and construction zones along Chain Bridge Road create daily risks for cyclists, especially when drivers aren’t paying attention.
We’ve worked with clients injured in a variety of ways:
- Drivers turning left across a cyclist’s path
- Vehicles drifting into bike lanes
- Doors opening unexpectedly in commercial areas
- Speeding in residential neighborhoods
- Drivers who were distracted, texting, or simply didn’t look
It doesn’t take much to cause life-changing injuries when you’re on a bike. Broken bones, concussions, spinal trauma, and internal injuries are all common outcomes. Many cyclists are also left with anxiety or fear of riding again—emotional injuries that deserve just as much recognition.
Building a Case After a Crash
We often talk with clients who aren’t sure whether they have a case or what the process involves. A big part of what we do is explain what victims need to prove after being injured in a bicycle accident, and how we help with that process from day one.
In Virginia, you must be able to show that someone else’s negligence caused your crash and that your injuries were a direct result. That could mean a driver failed to yield, didn’t check their mirrors, or swerved into a bike lane. Whatever the cause, we gather the evidence needed to tell your side of the story.
This can include:
- Photographs from the scene
- Eyewitness accounts
- Medical records and injury documentation
- Expert input if the cause is disputed
- Camera footage from nearby intersections or buildings
We act quickly to secure evidence while it’s still available and follow up with medical providers to understand your long-term care needs. That attention to detail can make all the difference in how your case is valued.
How Our Bicycle Accident Law Firm in McLean Helps
After a crash, everything feels urgent—your recovery, your bills, your questions. Our job is to take some of that urgency off your plate.
When you work with our team, you can expect:
- Clear, ongoing communication about your case
- Assistance in coordinating care and tracking costs
- Direct negotiation with the driver’s insurance company
- A legal strategy tailored to your specific situation
- Full preparation for court, if a fair settlement isn’t offered
You’ll never be passed off to someone you haven’t met or left wondering who to call. We stay personally involved from start to finish.
What Can Be Recovered in a Bicycle Injury Claim?
Every case is different, but the damages you may be entitled to include more than just your emergency room bill.
We help clients pursue compensation for:
- Hospital care, rehab, and future medical expenses
- Lost wages and future earning capacity
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Damage to your bike and cycling gear
- Any long-term limitations caused by the crash
We take the time to learn how the injury is affecting your life—whether you’re struggling to get back to work, missing time with your family, or just trying to get through the day without pain.
No Upfront Costs—We Work on Contingency
Legal help should never be out of reach after a serious injury. That’s why we work on a contingency fee basis. You don’t pay us anything unless we recover compensation for you.
That means no hourly billing, no retainers, and no financial risk to get started. We take on the case, cover the upfront costs, and only get paid if we’re successful. It’s one less thing for you to worry about—and it keeps our interests aligned with yours from day one.
You Have Two Years to File a Claim
Under Virginia law (§ 8.01-243), the statute of limitations for personal injury cases is two years from the date of the crash. That means you must file your claim within that window, or you may lose your right to recover damages altogether.
We recommend starting sooner rather than later. Evidence can disappear, witnesses can be harder to locate, and insurance companies move quickly. Even if you’re unsure about taking legal action, we can talk you through your options in a free consultation.
Talk to a McLean Bicycle Accident Attorney Today
If you’ve been hit while riding your bike in McLean, we’re here to help. Whether you’re dealing with ongoing medical care or just want to understand your rights, having the right law firm on your side can make the road ahead easier.
At Kitchel Law PLLC, we provide free consultations to help injured cyclists understand their next steps. We’ll listen, explain what a claim might look like, and let you decide what feels right—no pressure, no legal jargon.
With millions recovered and a personal approach to every case, we’re proud to be the bicycle accident law firm McLean families and professionals trust when life takes an unexpected turn.
