When a simple bike ride becomes a tragedy, it is critical to turn to a trusted, experienced Myrtle Beach bicycle accident lawyer for one-on-one, immediate help. As a trusted team of professionals, our attorneys at Shelly Leeke Law Firm are ready to protect your right to compensation. Do not wait to contact a Myrtle Beach personal injury lawyer for immediate help.
Bike Rides Should Not Be Dangerous
Bicyclists enjoy spending time outdoors exploring the Lowcountry. Many bicyclists find going for a morning ride along the marsh to be invigorating. Unfortunately, bicyclists often suffer personal injuries during bicycle accidents.
Protective gear and helmets sometimes do not provide adequate protection when bicyclists are struck by passing motorists. If you have suffered serious bodily injury during a bicycle accident in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, contact the Myrtle Beach personal injury lawyers at Shelly Leeke Law Firm today. Expect our legal team to always be there to help you.
We offer clients a free consultation. This is the best way to find out if you qualify to file a compensation claim. Set up a free consultation with our bicycle accident attorney in Myrtle Beach for immediate support.
The Most Common Types of Injuries Victims Suffer During Bicycle Accidents
Bicycle accidents may cause serious bodily injury or death. Injured victims may be struck from behind by an automobile. Their bodies may strike the pavement with enough force to cause temporary or permanent disability.
More than 130,000 bicyclists are seriously injured each year, according to the pedestrian, bicycle, and motorcycle safety report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Nearly all of these are preventable accidents. The following are some of the most common injuries victims suffer during bicycle accidents:
- Disfigurement
- Limb amputation
- Internal organ injuries
- Facial lacerations
- Road rash
- Bone fractures
- Spinal injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (a Myrtle Beach traumatic brain injury lawyer can help)
Why Bicycle Accident Injuries Are More Severe
Bicyclists are less protected during accidents than drivers and passengers inside sedans, trucks, and SUVs. Many bicyclists do not expect to be struck by a moving vehicle, but it only takes a few seconds for a bicyclist’s life to change forever. According to the latest data, from South Carolina Bicycle & Pedestrian Safety, the bicycle accident fatality rate is consistently the highest in the nation.
Spinal cord injuries may cause permanent disability. Depending on the nature of the injury, a bicyclist who suffers a spinal cord injury may be a paraplegic or quadriplegic for the remainder of their life. Also, these individuals often have shortened life expectancies, and this can cause them to experience depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Set up a free consultation with our Myrtle Beach bicycle accident lawyer to discuss your case. Let us offer insight into what your rights are. Expect us to fight for your best possible outcome.
Delayed and Minor Injuries May Be Misleading
You may believe you have suffered only minor injuries during a bicycle accident. However, serious injuries may not produce immediately noticeable symptoms. Oftentimes, symptoms of an injury may not become noticeable until weeks or months after the date of the injury.
It is important to always seek medical treatment as soon as possible after a bicycle accident. A bicycle accident attorney in Myrtle Beach can help you seek financial compensation for your injuries. This can help you to recover from your losses.
Due to their injuries, many bicyclists who are accident victims lose the ability to engage in their favorite hobby: cycling. A Myrtle Beach bicycle accident lawyer can help injured bicyclists pursue monetary compensation for their injuries. It is important to learn the different types of damages you can claim in a bicycle accident case.
Types of Damages You Can Claim in Bicycle Accident Cases in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Damages are generally divided into two distinct categories: general damages and special damages. General damages are non-quantifiable losses such as emotional distress, pain and suffering, and loss of enjoyment of life. Special damages are quantifiable losses such as lost earnings, medical bills, and household expenses.
If you are injured during a bicycle accident in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, you can seek financial compensation for your injuries. You can claim both general damages and special damages as part of your case. The damages you can claim may include the following:
- Pain and suffering (find out if you can sue for your child’s pain and suffering)
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Lost earnings
- Lost future earnings
- Medical bills
- Out-of-pocket expenses
Understanding Punitive Damages
Punitive damages are reserved for cases involving particularly egregious conduct. Punitive damages are intended to punish the defendant for committing a wanton, willful, or malicious act. Also, punitive damages are designed to deter the defendant from committing the same conduct in the future.
Know What Your Case Is Worth
Understanding how to plead damages is an essential part of any bicycle accident case. Speaking to a Myrtle Beach bicycle accident attorney can help you decide on the best way to build a strong case strategy. Let us help you determine all of your losses in this situation after factoring in every type of injury and loss you have suffered.
Help for Those Who Lost Their Life
If your family member died as a result of a bicycle accident, reach out to us. Let our Myrtle Beach wrongful death lawyer fight for you to receive compensation for the loss of your family member.
The Benefits of Retaining a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Myrtle Beach
It may be difficult to know what to do after being injured in a bicycle accident. You may not be able to return to your job or chosen profession due to the nature and extent of your injuries. Also, you may be dealing with financial insecurity due to surgeries and other medical procedures that are necessary for your recovery.
You do not have to handle all these problems alone. A bicycle accident attorney can handle every aspect of your bicycle accident case while you focus on healing from your injuries. Dealing with insurance companies can be overwhelming, and having a knowledgeable bicycle accident attorney on your side can help during settlement negotiations.
At Shelly Leeke Law Firm, we take pride in supporting our clients through their battle with insurance companies and at-fault lawyers. You can trust that we will always be by your side to guide you. Schedule a free consultation with our Myrtle Beach bicycle accident attorney now.
The Benefits of Hiring a Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Before you accept any low settlement offer presented by an insurance company, you need to speak to a skilled bicycle accident attorney. The following are some of the benefits of retaining a bicycle accident attorney:
- Understanding how to participate in mediation and arbitration
- Being able to conduct depositions and use them during cross-examination
- Being conscious of important deadlines that can affect your legal rights
- Standing up for your right to seek financial compensation for your injuries
If you suffered personal injuries during a bicycle accident, then you need to speak to a bicycle accident attorney. Your attorney can put together a demand package to send to an insurance company. Also, multiple parties may be liable for your injuries, and a knowledgeable bicycle accident attorney can help you determine which entities may be responsible for your injuries.
The Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Myrtle Beach is one of the most popular spring and summer vacation spots in the State of South Carolina. Long-term residents and tourists love to play miniature golf, attend concerts, and enjoy the beautiful Carolina coastline. However, bicyclists may be more vulnerable during times of the year when traffic is congested.
No matter your losses, our attorney will help you determine what you are owed. Understanding the cause can help us to identify who to seek compensation from during this process. The following are some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina:
- Texting while driving
- Driving at an excessive rate of speed
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Not yielding the right-of-way to a bicyclist
- Fatigued driving
- Speeding
- Driving too close to the shoulder
Contact the Shelly Leeke Law Firm in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Do not hesitate to reach out to the Shelly Leeke Law Firm if you have any questions regarding bicycle accident cases. We have more than a decade of experience helping injured victims seek monetary compensation for their injuries as our attorneys understand how to negotiate with insurance companies, protect the interests of our clients, and prepare for trial. Call our Myrtle Beach bicycle accident lawyer today to learn how we can help you enforce your legal rights at a free consultation.
