Bicycle accident injuries, whether you have suffered traumatic brain damage, spinal cord injuries, road rash, whiplash, or any other type of injury, may have a significant impact on your life for years to come. Is another person or party responsible for causing your bicycle accident? If so, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
Explore your options for financial relief when you reach out to a Greenville personal injury lawyer at Shelly Leeke Law Firm. Schedule a free case evaluation with a Greenville bicycle accident lawyer from our firm today. When you do, you can learn more about what you can expect from the bicycle accident claims process and how much your damages could be worth.
How Bicycle Accident Victims in Greenville Can Demand Justice
Your bicycle accident lawyer in Greenville is here to help you demand total compensation for every way your life has been affected by your injuries. After all, you are already dealing with the physical consequences of your injuries. Why should you be stuck covering the financial costs while you struggle to cope with your emotional trauma?
The at-fault party should pay you accordingly. However, if you hope to maximize your damages, it is important to be prepared to pursue both insurance and civil claims. Although many bicycle accident victims want to avoid the hassle that comes with a lawsuit, unfortunately, many insurance claims do not sufficiently cover victims’ damages, and that’s where a Greenville personal injury lawyer can help.
Insurance Claims and Civil Lawsuits
Although South Carolina law requires all motorists to carry auto insurance coverage according to the South Carolina Department of Insurance, if the defendant does not have coverage, the only way to recover compensation may be by filing a claim with the Greenville civil court system. Even if the defendant does have insurance coverage, it may not be enough to cover your damages in full.
It certainly will not cover your non-economic damages. This is because most insurance claims only cover medical bills, property damages, and sometimes, lost income. By being prepared to file an insurance claim and bring your case to court, you can pursue restitution across all avenues of financial recovery and get your costs covered in their entirety.
Potential Liable Parties in Greenville Bicycle Accident Claims
For many bicycle accident cases to be successful, it will be essential to establish liability. Your bicycle accident attorney in Greenville will be prepared to open up a thorough investigation into the cause of your injuries. Typically, bicycle accidents occur because a bicyclist is struck by a negligent driver.
Dangerous Drivers
Negligent driving can take many forms. Recognizing negligent driving could help you determine whether the driver who hit you is at fault. Examples of unsafe driving practices known for causing bicycle accidents include:
- Failure to yield
- Speeding
- Failure to use a turn signal
- Making illegal turns
- Road rage
- Distracted driving
- Driving while fatigued
- Drunk driving
- Drugged driving
Defective Parts and Dangerous Roads
That does not necessarily mean negligent driving is always the cause of bicycle accidents, however. In fact, hazardous road conditions and defective vehicle parts also contribute to bicycle accidents regularly, and when this happens, there are several parties who could share fault. Examples of entities that could be blamed for defective parts and dangerous roads include:
- Bicycle parts distributors and manufacturers
- Motor vehicle parts distributors or manufacturers
- Bicycle retailers
- Motor vehicle dealerships
- Safety inspectors
- Maintenance professionals
- The city of Greenville
- Other municipalities
- The South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT)
- Other government agencies
There are several potential parties that could share blame for your damages based on how your accident occurred. We must identify anyone and everyone who shares liability for your damages so we can bring them to justice. Only a thorough investigation will uncover the truth and allow you to make the liable party pay.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries to Sue for in Greenville
If you are worried that your bicycle accident injuries were not severe enough to pursue a lawsuit, you are not alone. Your Greenville bicycle accident lawyer with Shelly Leeke Law Firm has 10+ years of experience working with clients who are worried they will be accused of seeking compensation via a frivolous claim. However, it is the way in which your injuries have affected your life that determines whether you have the right to compensation.
It is not the type of bicycle accident injuries you sustained. This should help you feel empowered to demand the compensation you deserve. Some of the more common injuries we see in bicycle accidents across the state include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Amputation
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Road rash
- Lacerations leading to septic shock
- Herniated discs
- Whiplash
- Broken bones and fractures
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Internal bleeding or organ failure
Types of Damages You Could Be Awarded
The damages awarded to bicycle accident victims are extensive. You might have thought there might be limits on the amount of compensation you could be awarded, but this is not the case. You have the right to be repaid for every loss so you can be made whole.
Economic Damages
Your bicycle accident attorney at our firm is here to take an inventory of your damages to ensure you are compensated fairly. We will need to categorize them as economic damages or non-economic damages accordingly. Examples of economic damages include all financial losses, such as:
- Home accommodations for medical reasons
- Costs of medical equipment, including prosthetic limbs
- Costs of ongoing medical treatment and future medical care
- Costs associated with repairing or replacing your damaged bicycle
- Childcare expenses
- Costs of household maintenance
- Damage to your credit score and report
- Costs of increased insurance premiums
- Diminished earning capacity and loss of income
Non-Economic Damages
There are also a number of non-economic damages you could be entitled to after a serious injury that a catastrophic injury lawyer may be able to help recover. These can be more difficult to quantify but are often considered far more valuable. Some examples of non-economic losses could include:
- Disfigurement
- Skin scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Psychological distress
- Pain and suffering
- Inconvenience
- Embarrassment
- Shame, shock, and fear
- Reputational damages
Greenville Bicycle Accident FAQ
When you have questions about the bicycle accident claims process, you should be able to find answers easily. That is why we have compiled this quick FAQ below. Further questions can be discussed during your free consultation.
When Do Bicyclists Have the Right of Way?
Bicyclists are required to adhere to the same traffic rules as other motorists on the roadway. This means they have the right of way when they are in bicycle lanes or traveling with traffic. Bicyclists must stop at stop signs and traffic lights, or they may face citations.
What Are South Carolina’s Bicycle Helmet Laws?
South Carolina does not have a bicycle helmet law. Legally, you are allowed to ride your bike without wearing a helmet. However, if you do so, it could give the liable party an opportunity to blame you for the accident, which could reduce your settlement based on South Carolina’s modified comparative negligence laws under South Carolina Code §15-38-15.
Can I Hire a Greenville Bicycle Accident Lawyer on Contingency?
You can absolutely hire a bicycle accident attorney in Greenville on contingency when you choose Shelly Leeke Law Firm. Working on contingency means, we cover the expenses and only get paid if we are successful. If we lose, we do not get anything from your settlement.
If we win, a percentage of your award covers our attorney’s fees. The percentage that will be deducted from your settlement will vary depending on the specific circumstances of your case.
Reach Out to a Greenville Bicycle Accident Attorney for Help Today
If you are feeling overwhelmed or intimidated at the thought of bringing your bicycle accident case to court, you are not alone. It is common for injury victims to feel anxious about pursuing their case. However, when you have a dedicated legal advocate in your corner, you can rely on us to bring the at-fault party to justice so you can recover the compensation that is rightfully yours.
To get started on your case, schedule a free consultation with a reputable Greenville bicycle accident attorney at Shelly Leeke Law Firm today. Call our office or use our online contact form. When you receive the just settlement you deserve, you will be proud of yourself for being your own strongest advocate.
