If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, you have likely experienced pain and shock along with continued frustration as you are now dealing with medical expenses and reduced capability following the unfortunate incident. Bike rides can be risky, especially when negligent drivers break traffic laws, fail to pay attention, and cause catastrophic injuries to riders. When these types of tragedies strike, you need a bicycle accident attorney to help you seek compensation for your injuries.
Among dangerous states for riders, North Carolina is ranked 7th, and nearly half of crashes cause significant injuries. With these major injuries come medical bills, missed work, and long-term recoveries that can take months or years. Working with a bicycle accident law firm can alleviate the stress of dealing with the driver’s insurance company, allowing you peace of mind while you mend.
A person injured in a bicycle accident will typically need to file a claim against the driver who caused the accident. Assuming the driver is at fault for the incident, their insurance company will settle the claim for damages, which may include lost wages, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
However, be advised that insurance companies are skilled at finding ways to reduce or deny injury claims. A personal injury attorney experienced in bicycle accident injury cases will be able to negotiate on your behalf, and you should involve them early in the process to avoid being manipulated into compromising your claim.
There are several other important steps to take immediately after the accident, which are important both to your health and your personal injury case:
Contact our legal team at Speaks Law Firm today to schedule a free case review.
Accidents can happen at any time. You can be as careful as you can be, but you can never predict the action of others out on the road. When this happens, you need someone to speak on your behalf to fight for your rights. Speaks Law Firm is here for you.
Bicyclists in North Carolina face a legal uphill battle in accident cases. As a pure contributory negligence state, the plaintiff victim could be prevented from seeking any compensation if they were even 1% at fault for the accident.
This standard requires a fact-driven analysis and could entail complex negotiations with the driver’s insurance company. To avoid writing a hefty settlement check, the insurance company will look for any indication that the rider did something that caused the accident. A bicycle injury lawyer at Speaks Law Firm will be familiar with these tactics and ready to argue on your behalf.
Because of North Carolina’s contributory negligence standard, it is essential to be aware of the critical bike laws that could affect your case. While it is often common sense to follow traffic laws, we are all human, and a misstep could be life-threatening.
Insurance companies will work to verify whether you followed these laws:
Our bike accident attorneys at Speaks Law Firm can discuss the details surrounding your injury during your free case review.
Injured riders can seek compensation for the following if the driver was fully responsible for the accident:
Our experienced North Carolina bicycle accident attorneys can assess fault based on the details of your accident and manage your claim to seek compensation for your injuries.
Every bicycle accident claim is different, but there are formulas that insurance companies and legal teams use to estimate how much your case is worth. The answer depends on a variety of factors, including the accident circumstances, the extent of your injuries, and how the accident affected you economically.
We encourage you to act quickly to consult with an experienced North Carolina bicycle accident lawyer to understand the appropriate steps moving forward. At Speaks Law Firm, we are prepared to estimate the value of your case and manage it, interfacing with the insurance companies on your behalf.
At no cost to you, contact us today to schedule a free case review with our legal team in Wilmington, NC.
