Bicycle accident victims often suffer debilitating injuries that make it challenging to live their lives as they did before their crash. When your life has been turned upside down due to someone else’s negligence causing your bike wreck, you may be able to make them pay. But bringing them to justice may not be easy.
An experienced Walterboro personal injury lawyer at Shelly Leeke Law Firm can help you explore your legal options, identify liable parties, and ensure you are seeking total recovery of your damages. Contact a committed Walterboro bicycle accident lawyer at our firm for a free consultation today and find out what is next for your bicycle accident case. When you finally have the financial compensation you need to move forward with your life, you will be glad you did.
Injuries You Can Sue for After a Bicycle Accident in Walterboro
There are multiple types of injuries you might suffer after a bicycle accident. However, there are many misconceptions surrounding what grounds need to be met for a bicycle accident claim to be successful. Although serious injuries do warrant legal action, you do not necessarily need to have suffered a life-threatening injury to have grounds for a claim.
Instead, your bicycle accident lawyer in Walterboro will carefully evaluate how impactful your injuries were. This will give us a better idea of how much your claim is worth. However, your bicycle accident attorney in Walterboro will also need to be able to show that someone else is responsible for causing your injuries.
These Injuries May Be Particularly Impactful
A thorough investigation into the cause of your accident may reveal all potential at-fault parties so you can recover the compensation you deserve. With these essential details in mind, there are some types of injuries you can sue for more often than others after being involved in a bicycle accident. Some examples of these injuries could include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Back injuries
- Soft tissue injuries
- Internal injuries
- Burn injuries
- Broken bones
- Whiplash
- Road rash
- Abrasions or contusions
- Amputation
- Paralysis
- Herniated discs
- Second impact syndrome
- Penetrating brain injuries
- Organ failure
These are just a few types of injuries that may warrant legal action. With help from Shelly Leeke Law Firm, no matter which injuries you sustained, you can make the liable party pay. Get help pursuing your claim today when you contact us for a 100% free consult.
What to Expect from the Walterboro Bicycle Accident Claims Process
After being hit by a car or other motor vehicle, you may be scared and unsure of what to do next. Your bicycle accident lawyer in Walterboro will handle every legal detail so you can focus your time and energy on healing. However, you may not be feeling confident in your decision to pursue your case at this time.
How Bicycle Accident Cases Work
Once you understand what to expect and the steps your attorney will take to demand justice, you can feel empowered to take action. This could be your best chance to maximize your financial compensation. Here is a general idea of how the claims process works after you hire a bicycle accident lawyer to take on your case:
- Your lawyer investigates the cause of your bicycle accident and obtains evidence to prove the defendant’s negligence and liability.
- Your lawyer determines whether you can file a claim with the insurance company.
- Your bicycle accident attorney in Walterboro goes over all the ways your life has been impacted by your damages to calculate the value of your insurance and civil claims.
- Your attorney negotiates with the insurance company and prepares to file the necessary court documents.
- Your lawyer will bring your case to trial when insurance settlements do not fully cover your losses.
The Value of Your Bicycle Accident Damages in Walterboro
Every person’s bicycle accident claim is different. What is impactful to one person may not be impactful to another. For this reason, your attorney must clearly list all the ways your bicycle accident and resulting injuries have affected your life.
There is a wide array of losses that can be recovered. They can be either economic, which means they describe financial losses, or non-economic, which means they consist of damages that do not have a financial value.
Examples of Potentially Recoverable Damages
Your Walterboro bicycle accident attorney will need to quantify non-economic and economic damages to calculate the value of your claim accurately. This is true for both tangible and intangible losses. Examples of the types of damages that could be paid out include:
- Physical pain
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Diminished earning capacity
- Lost wages
- Healthcare expenses
- Medical equipment costs
- Loss of consortium
- Costs of purchasing a new bicycle
- Costs of bicycle repairs
- Damage to your reputation
- Inconvenience
- Loss of household services
- Disfigurement and skin scarring
Statute of Limitations for Walterboro Bicycle Accident Claims
It has never been more important to take action on your claim. Although bringing your case to court may be the last thing you want to deal with at this time, the sooner you get started on your claim, the better. The statute of limitations begins the day of your accident.
According to South Carolina’s personal injury laws, under the South Carolina Code of Laws §15-3-530, your claim must be filed within three years of the accident. However, if you were diagnosed with injuries related to the accident at a later date, you may need clarification as to when the statute of limitations will expire for your case.
Speaking with your bicycle accident attorney in Walterboro will get you the clarity you need and ensure your claim is filed before time runs out. Sadly, if your bicycle accident lawsuit is not filed before the statute of limitations has passed, you may lose the right to recover compensation for your damages at trial. Find out how much longer you have to get your claim filed during your free consultation.
How Shared Fault Could Influence Your Bicycle Accident Settlement
Do not be surprised if the defense tries to blame you for causing your injuries. Since South Carolina follows modified comparative negligence laws under the South Carolina Contribution Among Tortfeasors Act, if you share fault, your settlement could be reduced.
If your portion of fault exceeds 51%, you no longer have the right to compensation for your damages.
The defendant will likely attempt to capitalize on these laws to reduce their financial obligations. However, your Walterboro bicycle accident lawyer will be ready to ensure fault is correctly evaluated in your case. This way, you can ensure the at-fault party is brought to justice.
Walterboro Bicycle Accident FAQ
What Are the Bicycle Helmet Laws in Walterboro?
There is no formal bicycle helmet law in Walterboro or the state of South Carolina. However, if you wear a motorcycle helmet, you may be able to reduce your portion of potential shared liability, which could adversely impact your settlement. Wearing a bicycle helmet could eliminate the liable party’s opportunity to blame you for your injuries.
How Can I Afford to Hire a Bicycle Accident Attorney in Walterboro?
By working with a lawyer on contingency in accordance with South Carolina Judicial Branch Rule 1.5: Fees, you can hire a bicycle accident attorney without paying any money out of your own pocket. “On contingency” means your legal advocate only gets paid when they win. If we win, a percentage of your settlement covers our costs.
Will I Have to Go to Court?
You might have to go to court if the driver who hit you is uninsured or does not have enough insurance coverage to pay for your expenses. Going to trial can be overwhelming. However, any damages that cannot be recovered through an insurance settlement can be sought after through your personal injury claim.
Get Help from a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Walterboro for Help Today
Your bicycle accident may have shaken up your world, but it does not have to stay that way. You can fight for the compensation you deserve and access the money you need to cover all expenses and plan for a brighter future. Meet with a reputable Walterboro bicycle accident attorney at Shelly Leeke Law Firm to get started on your case today.
You can fill out our quick contact form. Or call us to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation and take advantage of this opportunity. When you receive the fair compensation you deserve, you will be glad you did.
