My First Cycling Settlement: A $20 Lesson in Negotiation and Time Pressure

By Neil Kopitsky, Racing Cyclist and Injury Attorney

Every attorney has a first case that shapes their career, but not many can say their very first settlement happened while they were still in college—and involved a pair of torn cycling shorts and a twenty-dollar bill.

Let me tell you about my introduction to cycling accident law, which happened long before I ever imagined I'd become an attorney who specializes in representing injured cyclists.

The Accident: Wrong Place, Wrong Time

I was a senior at Colorado College, literally one day before heading back to my hometown of St. Louis for the end of the school year. I had no plans to return to Colorado Springs anytime soon—this was supposed to be a farewell ride through downtown.

That's when a motorist sideswiped me, squeezing me into the curb. I went down, tearing my cycling shorts in the process. Physically, I was mostly fine, but I had just learned one of the most important lessons about negotiations: timing is everything.

The Pressure of Time

In any negotiation, time can be your greatest asset or your biggest weakness. Unfortunately for me, I didn't have the luxury of time. I was leaving town the next day and had zero interest in sticking around to file police reports, deal with insurance companies, or handle a prolonged dispute.

This put me in a classic negotiation bind: I had a legitimate claim for damages (torn shorts, potential injury, the driver's clear fault), but I also had severe time constraints that limited my options.

My First Settlement Strategy

Looking at the situation, I made a quick decision. I explained to the driver who hit me that he had damaged my cycling shorts and I would need to replace them.

The driver checked his wallet. He had $20 on him.

We settled on the spot for $20—enough to buy a new pair of shorts.

And just like that, I had completed my first negotiated settlement as a cyclist.

What I Learned About Negotiations

This simple encounter taught me several lessons that I still use in my practice today:

Time Pressure Changes Everything

When you're under time constraints, you have to weigh the certainty of a quick resolution against the potential of a larger settlement later. Sometimes taking what's available now is the smart choice.

Know Your Bottom Line

I knew exactly what I needed: replacement shorts. Having a clear, reasonable goal made the negotiation straightforward.

Direct Communication Works

Instead of getting angry or confrontational, I simply explained the situation and what I needed. The driver responded reasonably.

Small Settlements Can Still Be Fair

Not every accident needs to be a major legal battle. Sometimes a simple, immediate resolution serves everyone's interests.

The Bigger Picture

At the time, I never imagined this $20 settlement was the beginning of what would become a career representing cyclists. I certainly didn't foresee spending decades helping injured riders navigate much more complex legal situations.

But looking back, this experience taught me something crucial about working with cyclists: we understand the unique pressures and circumstances that cyclists face because we've been there ourselves.

When Time Pressure Isn't Your Friend

Of course, not every cycling accident should be settled for $20 and a handshake. My situation was unique because:

• The damage was truly minimal (just torn clothing)
• I wasn't significantly injured
• I had legitimate time constraints
• The amount covered my actual losses

In most cycling accidents, you're dealing with:

• Significant medical bills
• Lost wages from time off work
• Bike damage that can cost thousands
• Potential long-term injuries
• Insurance companies with their own agendas

These situations require careful documentation, thorough medical evaluation, and strategic legal planning—not quick roadside settlements.

What This Means for Today's Cyclists

If you're involved in a cycling accident, here's what I learned from my early experience:

Don't let time pressure force bad decisions. Unlike my college situation, you usually have time to properly assess your injuries and damages.

Document everything. Get photos, contact information, and file a police report. Don't rely on roadside agreements.

Get medical attention. Adrenaline can mask serious injuries that only become apparent later.

Contact an attorney. Someone who understands cycling can help you navigate the process and avoid leaving money on the table.

Know when to settle and when to fight. Sometimes a quick resolution makes sense, but make sure you're not underselling your claim.

From $20 to a Career

That twenty-dollar settlement in Colorado Springs was just the beginning. Since then, I've helped cyclists recover hundreds of thousands of dollars in damages from accidents far more serious than torn shorts.

The difference is that now I bring decades of legal experience to each case, along with the perspective of someone who has been in the cyclist's position. I know what it feels like to go down hard, to deal with aggressive drivers, and to face the frustration of an accident that wasn't your fault.

Whether your case is worth $20 or $200,000, having an attorney who has been there makes all the difference.

Neil Kopitsky has been a racing cyclist since 1986 and has represented injured cyclists in Georgia since 1995. For questions about cycling accident cases, call 404-892-0011.

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