Despite their increased popularity, cars and other vehicles still outnumber bicycles on the road. Bicycle accidents are not uncommon and can be traumatic due to the lack of protection that a bicyclist has, and injured bicyclists face unexpected medical bills and catastrophic injuries. The immediate consequences of a bicycle accident can be stressful, but you could recover financial damages from an irresponsible driver with help from an experienced personal injury attorney.
It is difficult to figure out the legal system on your own when you are trying to recover, which is why you need the assistance of a talented Goose Creek bicycle accident lawyer to handle your case and ensure you get the reimbursement you deserve.
Causes of Injuries
Injuries in bicycle accidents are usually preventable and occur due to negligence in places like roads, parking lots, and trails. Some frequent causes include:
- Dooring
- Speeding
- Failing to yield
- Not signaling before a turn
- Failing to check blind spots
- Driving under the influence
Road conditions often cause bicycle accidents, such as poor lighting, wet roadways, potholes, or faulty traffic signs. A qualified bike crash attorney in Goose Creek will note the causes of your crash and pursue the right person or company for your reimbursement.
Bicycle accident injuries can range from minor to fatal, including bruises, cuts, broken bones, paralysis, disfigurement, brain damage, or amputations. Many people underestimate the seriousness of their injuries, which could lead to them settling for a lower settlement than they deserve with the opposite party’s insurance company, mainly because insurance companies notoriously offer low settlements. That is why it is essential to hire a Goose Creek lawyer who is familiar with the real value of injuries.
Relevant Laws
Bicyclists have the same duties and privileges as other drivers on the road, and they should ride with the flow of traffic in the direction they want to go and not against it as a pedestrian would. They must obey all road signs, ride as far to the right of the road as they can, and try to stay in the bike lane until they have to change their direction. When riding in a group, no more than two bicyclists can ride next to each other, and after dark, bicyclists should use lights and reflectors to help increase their chances of being seen by motorists. Every detail matters in bike accident cases, so it is important to hire the right lawyer.
To prove negligence under the law, a bicyclist must show the driver at fault owed them a duty of reasonable care to avoid harm, such as following all the rules of the road, the driver breached that duty, and the injury occurred as a result.
The state follows the law of modified comparative fault, which means the plaintiff’s total damages are affected by their percentage of fault. For example, when the plaintiff is found to be more than 50% at fault for the crash, they cannot recover any damages. A Goose Creek lawyer bike accident lawyer can tell you how the comparative fault model would affect your case.
Contact a Bike Accident Attorney in Goose Creek Today
You should pursue your case as quickly as you can, because the two-year statute of limitations begins from the time of the accident and can affect whether or not you can seek damages. A Goose Creek bicycle accident lawyer can answer your questions about your potential case. We do not advise you to handle your case alone. Contact our firm today for a consultation.