Riding a bicycle for pleasure, exercise, or as a way to get to work can be enjoyable and environmentally sustainable. However, you have little protection against the negligence of vehicle drivers, leaving you at risk of injury or even death. When you have been harmed by the careless actions of another, it is time to speak with a St. Andrews bicycle accident lawyer.
At Shelly Leeke Law Firm, we are here to listen to your story during a free consultation. Your St. Andrews personal injury lawyer will help you determine who is at fault for your accident and hold them responsible. We will guide you through the claims process and manage your case with our skills and experience.
Why Choose Shelly Leeke for Your St. Andrews Bicycle Accident Claim
If you have been hurt in a bicycle crash, it is likely you are recovering from severe injury. You need to put all your energy into getting better, yet you need to hold those who hurt you responsible for their negligence. This is when you should turn to a bicycle accident lawyer in St. Andrews from Shelly Leeke Law Firm.
Our team is ready to evaluate your situation and begin a thorough investigation. We will ensure we identify all liable parties and seek compensation from every available avenue. Some of the important services we provide include:
- Visiting the accident scene to collect additional evidence
- Taking photos of the road, the traffic signs, your injuries, and all vehicles
- Requesting any traffic camera footage showing the accident
- Reviewing police reports
- Interviewing witnesses
- Hiring experts to provide testimony on your behalf
- Contacting local auto shops to find drivers who have had matching damage repaired
- Analyzing paint from the driver’s vehicle left on your bike or the roadway
- Filing your insurance claim
- Negotiating with adjusters for a fair settlement
- Preparing your case for court if the insurance company does not meet our demands
Insurance companies do not like to pay claims, so they will do everything they can to reduce or deny paying you what you deserve. Your St. Andrews bicycle accident attorney will not let them get away with taking advantage of you. We will push back aggressively so all your medical bills and property damage are covered. If they do not provide a satisfactory settlement, we will prepare your case for trial and file your lawsuit.
Bicycle Accidents Have Severe Consequences
Bicycles are small and infrequent on roads and highways. Despite this, the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that bicycle accidents account for 2% of traffic fatalities in the U.S. There have been slight decreases in bicycle rider deaths in South Carolina (South Carolina Department of Transportation), but bike riders still suffer serious consequences even when they survive their crash.
Some of the more common injuries a bicyclist may face after a crash caused by a larger vehicle include:
- Abrasions and road rash
- Broken bones
- Cuts and punctures
- Fractures
- Head, neck, and back injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
Even if you are wearing safety gear such as a helmet and protective pads, you can suffer significant harm when you are hit by another vehicle or thrown from your bicycle. t is important to receive medical care right away, even if you think you are fine.
Symptoms of internal bleeding, head trauma, and nerve damage can take several hours to a few days to appear. Not only can your doctor help you avoid more serious issues, but having a medical record creates a connection between the accident and your injuries. This can help you as you file an insurance claim or pursue a lawsuit later.
Filing a Claim for Compensation in a Bicycle Accident Claim
If your bicycle accident was caused by a car, truck, bus, or other motorized vehicle, your first step will probably be to file a claim against their automotive insurance. South Carolina is a fault state, meaning every driver who causes an accident must pay for the injuries and damage they cause. This includes pedestrian and bicycle accidents.
Your bicycle accident attorney in St. Andrews, SC, will manage the paperwork and communications with the insurance company for you. This ensures you do not miss important deadlines and that everything is filed correctly. The minimum coverage a driver must carry is as follows:
- Liability for bodily injury: $25,000 per person and $50,000 per collision
- Liability for property damage: $25,000 for each accident
Because you can be hurt so badly as a bike rider, your medical bills alone could easily skyrocket into hundreds of thousands. You could need months of rehabilitative treatment or be left with lifelong pain. In addition, you could suffer many subjective losses that insurance policies will not address.
Filing a Lawsuit After a Bicycle Accident
When you have damages that exceed an insurance policy’s limits, it is time to consider filing a personal injury lawsuit to recover the full compensation you need. You need an attorney who is familiar with the law governing car accidents as well as other areas of personal injury law. Shelly Leeke offers highly skilled professionals to manage your case.
We will ensure your case is filed on time to meet the three-year statute of limitations in South Carolina. We also build a powerful argument that you deserve full compensation for your economic losses (such as medical bills) and your non-economic damages (your pain and suffering). Our team will calculate your damages which might include:
- Doctor and hospital bills
- Rehabilitation
- Physical therapy expenses
- Travel costs for treatment
- Surgery, ICU, and ER expenses
- Bicycle repair and replacement
- Repair or replacement for other personal property
- Emotional distress
- Mental anguish
- Chronic pain
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Permanent disability
You should expect to receive all your losses in return for suffering the consequences of another person’s carelessness. They may claim you are actually at fault, but Shelly Leeke will not let them push you around. We will fight for justice for you.
Let a Qualified St. Andrews Bicycle Accident Lawyer Fight for You
Being hurt by a reckless driver should not sentence you to a life of pain and uncertainty. You have the right to seek compensation from those who are at fault. A St. Andrews bicycle accident lawyer from Shelly Leeke Law Firm is ready to help you.
Our team of attorneys is dedicated to taking the burden off your shoulders so you can heal. We put our experience and knowledge to work for you. Contact us to schedule a free case evaluation to learn more about your options by calling us or using our online form today.
