Riding a bicycle is one of the best ways to stay in shape and help the environment at the same time. However, it can also be a dangerous hobby to have. You may be eligible for compensation if you have been involved in a bicycle accident.
Contact a Summerville bicycle accident attorney at your earliest opportunity to begin reviewing the accident details and learning about your rights. The Summerville personal injury lawyers at Shelly Leeke Law Firm are experienced and knowledgeable about bicycle accidents, and we have what it takes to help you prove negligence and seek compensation from the at-fault party today.
The Commonality of Bicycle Accidents in Summerville, South Carolina
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states that about 1,000 bicyclists die, and more than 130,000 are severely injured annually across the United States. This is alarming as more and more South Carolina residents are choosing to ride bicycles for transprtation and exercise. However, a bicycle accident can occur within minutes, leading to life-altering consequences for bicyclists.
Bicycle accidents are quite common across the state of South Carolina. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that 14 bicyclists were killed in South Carolina in 2020, which is about average compared to other states.
Walk Score gives Summerville a 36 for its bicycle score, which is very low. This means that Summerville is generally unsafe for bicyclists. While there are sidewalks for bicyclists to ride on, many residents of Summerville are asking for better sidewalks to prevent bicycle accidents and crashes from occurring.
Types of Injuries that Result from Bicycle Accidents
When an individual is involved in a bicycle accident, they may either notice their injuries immediately, or it could take a few days for the signs and symptoms to emerge. However, bicyclists lack the outer shield, airbags, and seat belts that automobile drivers have, making them more prone to life-threatening injuries. Here are several of the most common injuries that result from bicycle accidents:
- Concussions
- Head and skull fractures
- Contusions
- Intracranial hemorrhage
- Facial injuries
- Dental injuries
- Eye injuries
- Sprains and strains
- Soft tissue and muscle injuries
- Broken and fractured bones
- Internal organ damage
- Internal bleeding
- Abdominal injuries
- Lacerations and cuts
- Severe and permanent bruising
- Disfigurement
- Road burn
- Paralysis
- Amputations
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
You and your bicycle accident attorney in Summerville must work together to determine the direct cause of your accident to hold the responsible party accountable for their actions. The following are some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents:
- Careless or reckless driving: When a driver is behind the wheel, they mustn’t make careless or reckless mistakes. One simple mistake can cause a dangerous bicycle accident, changing the bicyclist’s life forever.
- Speeding: Speeding drivers typically need more time to stop or slow down. Therefore, if a bicyclist is crossing the road while a motorist is speeding, the motorist will not have enough time to stop or slow down which can lead to a devastating bicycle collision very quickly.
- Not giving enough space or failing to share the road: Passenger vehicles mustn’t follow bicyclists too close or else they put the bicyclist at serious risk of an accident. While bicyclists are supposed to ride in bicycle lanes or sidewalks, sometimes they have to use the road if no sidewalks or bicycle lanes are available.
- Aggressive driving: Automobile drivers often become angry and impatient when they see bicycles on the roads. If a bicycle notices an aggressive driver, it is recommended that they allow them to pass to prevent an accident from occurring.
- Failing to check surroundings when turning or switching lanes: Bicycles are smaller than motor vehicles, making them difficult to see. Therefore, when a motor vehicle driver is making a turn or switching lanes, they must check their surroundings and blind spots more than once to make sure that a bicycle isn’t in their pathway.
- Intoxicated driving: Drivers who get behind the wheel after drinking or doing drugs are dangerous to themselves and others on the roads. Intoxicated driving affects the driver’s problem-solving skills and severely delays their reaction times, a common reason for bicycle accidents.
- Distracted driving: Distracted driving is one of the leading causes of bicycle accidents. A few examples of distracted driving include texting, talking on the phone, playing with the radio, or reaching for something in the vehicle.
Losses You Can Claim from Bicycle Accidents
If you are hurt in a bicycle accident, there are certain losses you can claim. The bicycle accident lawyers from Shelly Leeke Law Firm will assist you with determining your losses, which may include any of the following in your settlement:
- Medical expenses
- Lost income
- Pain and suffering
- Physical therapy
- Counseling
- Disability
- Hired services
- Home modifications
- Loss of quality of life
- Property loss
The Time Limit to File a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in Summerville, SC
According to S.C. Code §15-3-530, you have three years to file a bicycle accident lawsuit. This may seem like a long time, but the truth is that it can pass you by very quickly while you are healing from your injuries and learning to adapt to your new life changes. Therefore, the sooner you can reach out to a lawyer, the sooner they can build a strong case against the defendant and work on securing a fair amount of compensation for you.
Contact a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Summerville, SC Today
At Shelly Leeke Law Firm, we know and understand that the last thing you want to deal with is the difficult and complex legal system after being involved in a bicycle accident. That is why you should hire our team to handle your claim and fight for your rights while you focus on recovering from your injuries. We have the knowledge and skills to determine the legal options you should pursue and help you get compensated for your injuries.
Please do not hesitate to contact the bicycle accident lawyers at Shelly Leeke Law Firm today to get the justice you deserve.
