Bicycle accidents often leave cyclists seriously injured due to the force of impact during a collision. When someone else is to blame for your crash, you need a personal injury attorney who specializes in bicycle accident claims.
If you have suffered injuries during a bike crash, contact a Moncks Corner personal injury lawyer at Shelly Leeke Law Firm. After your free case evaluation, we can help you understand your options for seeing justice and potential compensation.
Establishing Liability in a Bicycle Accident Case
The injured party must establish the liability of the defendant in a civil lawsuit. It is imperative that a skilled bicycle accident lawyer in Moncks Corner assist you with this aspect of your case. Typically, injured parties produce documentary evidence to establish the liability of the defendant.
Video recordings, photographs, medical records, and traffic collision reports are some examples of evidence that can be used to prove the defendant caused the bicycle accident. In most cases, the liable parties committed a negligent act, causing the accident. A major task for any bicycle accident attorney in Moncks Corner is to develop a robust case establishing the liability of the defendant.
Common Injuries Victims Suffer During Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents can give rise to many different types of physical injuries. The following are some of the most common types of injuries victims suffer during bicycle accidents:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Neck injuries
- Contusions
- Lacerations
- Bone fractures
Other types of injuries may also arise due to a bicycle accident. Cyclists are often vulnerable due to the lack of a protective barrier between themselves and the force of impact. Unfortunately, some bicycle accident victims suffer temporary or permanent disability due to their injuries.
Types of Damages Victims Claim in Bicycle Accident Cases
The damages claimed in a bicycle accident case are typically economic damages or non-economic damages. These types of damages account for the majority of losses victims suffer due to their injuries.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are objective and reducible to a numerical value. The following are common examples of economic damages:
- Lost wages
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Repair bills
This is not a complete list of the types of economic damages an injured victim may claim in a bicycle accident case. The facts of every bicycle accident case are unique; therefore, speaking with a knowledgeable Moncks Corner bicycle accident lawyer is the best way to learn more about the kinds of damages you may be able to claim.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are more subjective than economic damages. These types of damages refer to the non-quantifiable losses the injured victim experiences. The following are common examples of non-economic losses:
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Mental anguish
- Scarring and disfigurement
Non-economic damages are often harder to define than economic damages. A Moncks Corner bicycle accident attorney can help you calculate the total damages amount for your case.
Cost of a Bicycle Accident Attorney in Moncks Corner
Accident victims often worry about how they will pay to retain a bicycle accident lawyer in Moncks Corner. The majority of personal injury lawyers work on a contingency fee basis. Accident victims do not pay any costs at the beginning of the legal representation.
Bicycle accident victims who retain an attorney on a contingency fee basis pay for their legal services after the resolution of their case. An accident victim only pays if an attorney obtains a settlement or judgment in their favor. Once the case concludes, the fee for legal representation is deducted from the final settlement or judgment amount.
Settling a Bicycle Accident Case
Bicycle accidents are unique, and no cases will have the same potential value. If you seek financial compensation for your injuries, then you will need to consider the nature of your injuries, the amount of any property damage, and the responsible party’s insurance policy limits.
In some instances, you may file an insurance claim or go to court. There are other ways of settling your bicycle accident case that can yield a better settlement and save you time and money. This means you get your compensation faster with less effort. Approximately 95% of all civil lawsuits settle before trial. Only a small fraction of all civil cases go to trial. It is likely that your bicycle accident case will settle before trial.
Alternative Dispute Resolution Methods
One important component of every civil lawsuit is the role alternative dispute resolution plays in civil litigation. Essentially, alternative dispute resolution is a mechanism for preventing unnecessary lawsuits from clogging up the court system. The three primary forms of alternative dispute resolution are settlement negotiation, mediation, and arbitration.
Settlement negotiation is the primary tool parties use to resolve civil lawsuits. Defense counsel may initially present low settlement offers. However, as the case proceeds and the discovery process unfolds, settlement negotiation becomes more likely.
During mediation and arbitration, a neutral third party communicates with all parties. Mediation is considered legally non-binding. Arbitration may be either binding or non-binding. During non-binding arbitration, the decision the arbitrator makes is final.
Statute of Limitations for Personal Injury Actions in South Carolina
The statute of limitations is a period of time during which an injured party can file their legal claims. In South Carolina, the statute of limitations for personal injury actions is three years from the date of the injury. If an injured party does not file their legal claim within the statute of limitations period, they may lose their chance to seek relief through the courts.
Contact Shelly Leeke Law Firm Today to Schedule a Free Consultation
You may not know what to do if you suffered injuries during a bicycle accident in Moncks Corner. The Shelly Leeke Law Firm can help you with every aspect of your case. We have years of experience representing clients and achieving the best possible outcome for their needs.
A Moncks Corner bicycle accident lawyer can help you seek monetary compensation for your injuries. You do not have to suffer alone. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation.
