Bicyclists are far more likely to suffer catastrophic injuries when colliding with a motor vehicle. Whether you have been diagnosed with traumatic brain damage, spinal cord injuries, amputation, internal bleeding, or any other type of injury, if another party’s negligent actions contribute to your injuries, you may be entitled to maximum restitution for your suffering.
Get help navigating the claims process and figure out what your next steps should be. Contact a reputable Mt. Pleasant personal injury lawyer at Shelly Leeke Law Firm for a free consultation. When you do, you can learn more about who could be held accountable for your damages and how to bring the liable party to justice.
How Bicycle Accident Claims Work in Mt. Pleasant
Many injury victims hesitate to contact a bicycle accident lawyer in Mt. Pleasant, SC, at Shelly Leeke Law Firm for help because they are intimidated by the claims process. When you do not know what to expect, it is easy to hesitate and play it safe.
However, when you have a reputable Mt. Pleasant bicycle accident lawyer advocating for you, you can feel confident that we will make sure you are prepared for every step of the claims process. Although every person’s case is different, here is a general idea of what you can expect once you contact a bicycle accident attorney for help:
Your Bicycle Accidents Lawyer Investigates
To begin, your bicycle accident lawyer will thoroughly investigate how your injuries occurred. Generally, bicycle accidents occur when a bicyclist is struck by a motor vehicle. Examining what caused the driver to crash into you will help us establish liability and negligence.
Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents include:
- Impaired driving
- Aggressive driving
- Distracted driving
- Reckless driving
- Drowsy driving
- Dangerous road conditions
- Defective car parts
Throughout the course of our investigation, your bicycle accident attorney in Mt. Pleasant, SC, will gather the powerful evidence needed to prove the defendant’s negligence. Some examples of such evidence could include:
- Photos of your bicycle accident scene
- Images of traffic conditions at the time of the crash
- Video footage of the accident
- Copies of your bicycle accident medical records
- Witness statements
- Testimony from accident reconstructionists
- Crash and police reports
- Copies of the defendant’s cell phone records
- Copies of the defendant’s chemical blood alcohol test results
- Dashcam footage
These are just a few different types of evidence your bicycle accident lawyer will uncover as part of our investigation. This evidence will be used to prove liability based on the preponderance of the evidence. This way, the jury will have little doubt that the defendant is responsible for the injuries you endured.
Your Bicycle Accidents Attorney Determines Your Claim’s Value
After investigating the cause of your bicycle wreck, you can expect your attorney to review your damages and calculate the value of your claim. Whether you are filing an insurance claim or bringing your bicycle accident case to court, you have the right to be made whole.
This means you should receive compensation for every single way you have been affected by the accident you were involved in and your resulting injuries. Collectively, these are referred to as compensatory damages.
However, to ensure we account for every loss, we will separate your damages into categories known as economic and non-economic losses. Some examples of economic damages after a bicycle accident could include:
- Loss of income
- Reduced earning potential
- Loss of employee benefits
- Damage to your credit score or report
- Unexpected childcare costs
- Household maintenance expenses
- Healthcare costs
- Medical devices and equipment fees
- Cost of replacing or repairing your bicycle
Non-Economic Damages
Some examples of non-economic damages you could recover after a bike wreck include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Diminished quality of life
- Loss of protection, love, support, advice, companionship, and society
- Disfigurement and skin scarring
- Reputational damages
- Feelings of embarrassment, indignity, shame, shock, fear, apprehension, or anticipation
After carefully reviewing your damages, your bicycle accident lawyer will better understand what your claim is worth, how much is reasonable to expect from an insurance settlement, and the amount of compensation you should seek in your civil lawsuit against the liable party.
Your Personal Injury Attorney Negotiates with the Insurance Company
Once we have completed our investigation and determined how much your bicycle accident claim is worth, we can file an insurance claim. Generally, since South Carolina follows fault insurance laws, when you are involved in a collision, you file a claim with the liable party’s insurance provider.
When you have been struck by a car on your bike, you may be able to file a claim with the liable party’s insurance company. Your attorney will negotiate with the insurance company to ensure you receive fair compensation for your damages.
However, if the insurance company denies your claim, delays the processing of your claim, or refuses to settle it for a reasonable amount, your Mt. Pleasant bicycle accident lawyer will be prepared to bring your case to trial, where it can be heard before a judge and jury. Your case may also need to go to trial if your insurance settlement does not adequately cover your damages. This is often the case when liable parties only purchase the bare minimum of insurance coverage.
The Deadline to File Your Claim Is Rapidly Approaching
Do not hesitate to file your bicycle accident claim. The statute of limitations for claims of this nature generally does not extend more than three years from the accident date. If your lawsuit is not filed before this deadline, you can expect the civil court system to refuse to hear your case.
Contact a Bicycle Accidents Attorney in Mt. Pleasant for Help Today
If you are feeling intimidated or overwhelmed at the thought of bringing your bicycle accident case to court or filing a claim with the insurance company, you are not alone. It would be best if you had the legal support and advocacy of an experienced Mt. Pleasant bicycle accidents attorney.
Reach out to Shelly Leeke Law Firm to learn more about how much compensation your claim could be worth. Make the liable party pay when you get our team to fight for the justice you deserve. Please fill out our convenient contact form or call our office to schedule your no-cost, risk-free consultation today.
