If you or someone you know has recently been thrown from their bicycl or critically injured in a preventable bicycle accident, there are many different factors to consider and questions that must be answered immediately.
You have a limited time frame in which to file a personal injury lawsuit in North Carolina to protect your right to recover compensation. The North Carolina statute of limitations means that you must contact a Charlotte bicycle accident attorney no later than three years after the date of the injuries to be able to proceed with recovering compensation.
An injury case is a complicated matter and the small details of how the accident occurred can become paramount in court. Looking for the best attorney in Charlotte should lead you to research the law firms you’re thinking about working with in full and discussing your case during a free consultation so that you can learn more about how they work with clients and what you need to do going forward.
Despite your best efforts to be a safe bicycle rider and willingness to share the road with cars, this does not always mean that you will be protected. While safety gear can go a long way towards minimizing your injuries in the event of an accident, accidents can and do still happen. From a distracted to a drunk to a drowsy driver, one driver's inability to follow the rules of the road could cost a bicycle rider significantly.
While the cause of the accident might be readily apparent to you, the other party might argue that the bicycle rider is at fault. Handling these complexities and making a compelling case for your recovery of compensation should be your Charlotte lawyer’s top priority.
Bicyclists are exposed to a far greater likelihood of catastrophic injuries than anyone inside a vehicle because of their exposure to the elements. You could be thrown from your bicycle into a stationary object or into an oncoming traffic.
Issues such as road rash, broken bones, fractures, lacerations, internal bleeding, and traumatic brain injuries are unfortunately far too commonly seen by a Charlotte bicycle accident lawyer who is fighting back over a client's need for compensation.
Bicycles are classified as vehicles in North Carolina law, meaning that all cyclists have a responsibility to follow the same rules as other vehicle operators on the roads.
This also means that bicyclists are afforded the same rights that apply to other vehicle operators, which becomes especially important when you are meeting with your Charlotte bicycle accident law firm to discuss filing a legal claim for compensation.
If a driver fails to exercise caution, you do have legal options. Several new laws were passed in 2016 that add a greater layer of importance for bicyclists. First of all, bicycles have to be equipped with red front and rear lights or the bicyclists must be wearing reflective garments when cycling in the dark.
Vehicle operators in public areas or on highways have increased penalties when they fail to use turn signals and it effects the operation of any other vehicle including a bicycle and motorists in no-passing zones are no longer prohibited from passing bicyclists. All of these issues could cause failure to comply and could have an impact on the cyclist's life and ability to recover when an accident happens.
As your Charlotte, NC bicycle accident lawyer can tell you, in far too many cases the cause of a bicycle accident is attributed to the other driver. As a legal standard in North Carolina, negligence refers to one person's legal duty to another that is breached when that party does not exercise a reasonable standard of care and the other party sustains devastating injuries.
A breach of duty of care includes examples like driving under the influence. This makes for a very clear cut and dry case in terms of liability. However, many bike accident cases involve claims from the other party that the bike rider is partly responsible for the accident. Having an experienced attorney advocating for your best interests ensures that a full investigation of the accident happens promptly.
Bike accident victims often suffer substantial injuries, meaning that the importance of collecting their medical records and understanding the long-term impacts of their related medical conditions becomes paramount when filing a lawsuit. You need a dedicated and caring attorney who recognizes the many ways that your Charlotte North Carolina bicycle accident has affected your life. You might be able to recover compensation in a settlement outside of court, but you also want an experienced Charlotte, NC bicycle accident lawyer who is prepared to go to trial if necessary. Schedule a consultation today with a trusted attorney.
