Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC can help you through an injury claim after a bicycle accident in Kentucky. If your bicycle injury was caused by a pothole or poorly maintained road in Kentucky, the frustration can pile up fast. You’re trying to heal, your bike may be damaged, and suddenly you’re being told the government might be involved. That’s a lot to carry on your own. Our team can guide you through the process. Start today with a free consultation.
Should I Get a Lawyer?
After a bicycle accident caused by a pothole or unsafe road in Kentucky, it’s normal to wonder whether you really need a lawyer—or whether you can just handle things yourself.
If your injuries are minor and the situation is straightforward, you may be able to manage it on your own. But usually, a pothole means that the situation is much more complicated, and that’s even before you have to deal with the actual fallout of the accident itself. That’s when you should think about getting help, and our team at Kaufman & Stigger can
- Talk you through your options in plain language
- Figure out who was actually responsible for the road where you were hurt
- Put evidence together before it’s repaired or disappears
- Handle communication with government agencies or insurance companies
- Take the case to court if a claim is denied or delayed
Getting legal help after a bicycle accident caused by a pothole doesn’t automatically mean you’re filing a lawsuit. Most of the time, it’s about understanding your options, knowing who’s responsible for the road, and making sure you don’t miss deadlines or paperwork that could end your claim before it starts.
What Information Should I Try to Get After My Accident?
As straightforward as it sounds, a bicycle accident caused by a pothole is something you can’t really prepare for. They happen in a split-second, but once it does, it’s likely going to cause problems for you. With injuries and other losses, the starting point is getting information, and here’s what you should try to focus on:
- Pictures/video of the pothole, taken from a few angles. Include something that shows size and depth if possible, like a water bottle or your bike tire.
- Wide shots of the area, so it’s clear where the defect is located on the road and how visible it was.
- The exact location of the pothole, not just the street name—intersections, mile markers, or nearby landmarks help.
- Damage to your bike and gear, before you get it fixed. It’s best to snap a few pictures of it once everything settles down, preferably within a few hours.
- Witness names or contact information, especially if someone saw you go down or noticed the road hazard beforehand.
- If the police come, ask how to get a copy of any report. And once you’re able, write down what you remember. Details fade faster than people expect, especially after an injury.
Every situation is different—even ones with similar circumstances. But what comes next is going to be built on the information you can get in those hours, days, and months after the accident. With that said, a pothole accident is a bit different when it comes to figuring out who’s responsible.
Who’s Responsible When I’m Hurt in a Bicycle Accident Caused by a Pothole?
This is where things get less obvious. In Kentucky, responsibility usually depends on who controls the road, not just where you were riding.
- City streets are often the responsibility of the city
- State highways or parkways may be handled by a state agency
- Private roads, parking lots, or driveways may belong to a business or property owner
The reason this is important is because liability for your injuries comes down to this:
- If the responsible party knew—or should have known—about a dangerous pothole and didn’t fix it within a reasonable time, they’re responsible for any resulting damage.
The challenge is proving this, especially when multiple agencies overlap or maintenance gets outsourced. That’s why these cases often come down to timing, records, and location details—not just whether the pothole existed. But even with all of that, it doesn’t change your rights.
How Does the Claims Process Work in Kentucky for a Bicycle Accident Caused by a Pothole?
While it’s true that you can file a claim after a bicycle accident caused by a pothole in Kentucky, the actual process is going to heavily depend on who’s responsible. Basically, there’s two ways the claims process can play out:
- Filing a claim against the state government.
- Filing a claim against the property owner/manager.
If the pothole was on a road or street that the state is responsible for, you’ll need to file with the Kentucky Board of Claims. This is a state agency that handles injury claims, but there’s a few differences:
- You only have one year from the date of the accident to file.
- There has to be at least $250 worth of damages.
- There is a cap on damages of $250,000.
If the pothole was the responsibility of a private person or business, the claims process reverts to normal—where you either file a claim with their liability insurance carrier or a personal injury lawsuit in civil court.
In either case, your damages are going to come from the same place, being based on things like:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Current and future lost income
- Repair/replacement costs for your bike or gear
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Reduced quality of life or permanent injuries
That’s also why where the accident happened matters so much. Certain spots see these kinds of accidents over and over again—and understanding those locations often explains not just what went wrong, but why the pothole was allowed to exist in the first place.
Where Do Potholes Really Cause Bicycle Accidents in Kentucky?
It sounds obvious, but bicycle accidents caused by potholes usually happen in the same types of places throughout the state. Most of the time, it happens with:
- Older city streets that see heavy traffic but slow maintenance
- Road edges and shoulders, where bikes are expected to ride but repairs are delayed
- Transition zones, like where a city road becomes a state route
- Construction detours, where temporary patches break down quickly
- Poorly lit areas, where potholes aren’t visible until it’s too late
Although they seem random, potholes—and bicycle accidents caused by them—aren’t. Yes, as a bike rider, you should always be aware of your surroundings. And yes, you’re probably not going to encounter a pothole on a park bike path. Still, though, every property owner or state agency in charge of a particular stretch of road is responsible for keeping it safe. When that doesn’t happen, you have options and our team can help you.
Contact Kaufman & Stigger After a Bicycle Accident in Kentucky
When a pothole or road defect causes a bicycle injury, the frustration goes beyond the injury itself. You expect roads to be maintained safely—especially when they’re under city or state control—and it’s unsettling when that basic responsibility is overlooked.
At Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC, we help injured riders understand what went wrong, who may be responsible, and what steps actually matter next. If you or someone you care about was hurt in a bicycle accident caused by a pothole or unsafe road conditions anywhere in Kentucky, we’re here to walk through your options with you. Set up a free consultation today.
