Charlotte Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Charlotte Bicycle Accident Attorney

North Carolina is often considered a great state for cycling, and many bicycle riders from across the country visit because of the beautiful scenic roads, mild weather, and mountainous scenery. North Carolina also currently ranks as one of the most dangerous places in the US for a bicycle rider due to the amount of incidents that have occurred in the state. In the unfortunate case that you have recently endured a bicycle accident, a Charlotte bicycle accident lawyer can help.

Whether you are cycling for the daily commute to work or a casual ride, bicyclists in Charlotte are highly vulnerable on North Carolina roads to the negligent actions of other drivers and poor road conditions. Bicyclists who are involved in an accident have little protection, apart from their helmets, in the force of an accident, leading to deadly results in some cases. If you are looking to recover damages from your cycling accident, you deserve help.

Why You Should Choose Bridgman Gantt Law Offices

At Bridgman Gantt Law Offices, with over sixty years of combined experience, we have successfully navigated personal injury cases, assisting our clients in achieving fair and maximized settlement deals. The clients that we represent have our full attention and dedicated care. We focus on handling legal issues so that our clients can focus on recovering and returning to their lives as much as possible after an accident.

Our team aims to offer guidance and comprehensive legal assistance with each case we encounter. We are a listening ear and a fierce advocate as we pursue all legal avenues to reaching fair and full settlements for our clients. We navigate personal injury cases like the following:

• Bicycle Accidents
• Car Accidents
• Slip and Fall Accidents
• Medical Malpractice
• Defective Products
• Dog Bites
• Workplace Accidents
• Wrongful Death
• Assault and Battery
• Premises Liability
• Nursing Home Abuse

The impacts of a bicycle accident can be devastating, and our team wants to ensure you have the tools and resources to recover to the fullest amount. We seek to resolve our personal injury cases efficiently and quickly as we understand our clients want to move on with their lives and recover without the stress of a legal claim. Your Bridgman Gantt Law personal injury attorney will be a valuable and vital asset for your case as we fight tirelessly to see you recover fully.

How Can a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Help?

Bicycle accident lawyers offer help in many essential and vital ways as their clients seek damage recovery from their injuries and property damages. An attorney can help in the following ways:

• Legal Guidance: Attorneys provide detailed legal advice and guidance tailored to their client’s specific situations. They explain their client’s rights under the law and help them understand the different avenues and legal processes for pursuing compensation for their injuries and damages.
• Understanding Bicycle Laws: Bicycle attorneys are well-versed in the specific laws and regulations that govern cyclists’ rights and responsibilities on the road. They apply this knowledge to their client’s cases as they assist in navigating any legal complexities and challenges that may arise.
• Investigation: Attorneys conduct detailed investigations into the circumstances of the accident. This includes gathering evidence, reviewing the accident scene to help determine liability, interviewing witnesses, and more.
• Negotiation: Attorneys negotiate with insurance companies on their client’s behalf to find fair and complete settlement amounts to cover the costs of injuries and damages. They manage all communication with the insurance adjusters and seek to maximize the compensation that their clients receive by providing evidence and accurate information on the accident’s impacts.
• Litigation: In many cases, when a settlement is not secured in the negotiation stages, attorneys will then represent their clients in court to seek a fair settlement. They present their client’s case by using clear arguments and factual evidence to show the court the specific implications the accident has had on their client’s life. If a case proceeds to court, the effective communication and advocacy of an attorney are vital in securing a fair and accurate settlement.
• Peace of Mind: A bicycle accident can create devastating and overwhelming realities for those involved. If you are recovering from serious injuries and damages, the support of an attorney should not be overlooked as they work to handle the legal implications of the accident so you can focus on getting back to your life by focusing on your healing.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle accidents occur due to the fault of not only riders but also pedestrians and motorists. While several scenarios can lead to bicycle accidents, cyclists should always practice awareness and vigilance while on the road, as their bicycles do not offer the same amount of protection as individuals in motor vehicles. A collision between a cyclist and a motor vehicle almost always causes more damage to the cyclist than the other party involved.

The most common causes of bicycle accidents include the following:

• Motorist Negligence: A leading cause of bicycle accidents is drivers who fail to yield to cyclists by making unsafe turns without indications, running stop signs or red lights, or driving distracted.
• Dooring Accidents: Accidents happen when a driver in a parked vehicle opens a door into the path of an oncoming cyclist, causing a collision. These incidents can be extremely dangerous to cyclists as they are often thrown from their bicycles upon impact with the opened door.
• Unsafe Road Conditions: Unsafe road conditions due to debris, potholes, uneven pavement, or lack of proper signage or road markings contribute to accidents involving cyclists.
• Driver Impairment: Accidents happen when drivers operating vehicles under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or prescription medications impair their ability to drive and react to cyclists on the road safely.
• Failure to Yield: Drivers, at times, fail to yield to the right-of-way at intersections, crosswalks, or when turning, which can result in bicycle/vehicle accidents.
• Cyclist Error: Cyclists make mistakes that result in accidents, such as riding against traffic, not using adequate signaling when turning or changing lanes, and running stop signs or red lights.
• Poor Visibility: Reduced visibility due to low light conditions, poor weather, or inadequate reflective gear can increase the risk of accidents, especially when drivers fail to see cyclists on the road.

Other causes of bicycle accidents include aggressive driving, inexperienced cyclists, road design deficiencies, and more. Maintaining awareness of these common causes can help both cyclists and motorists take proactive measures to prevent accidents and promote safer sharing of roadways. Regardless of the cause, if you have been injured in a bicycle accident, you may have the right to seek damages.

The intense blunt force of a bicycle accident can cause serious injuries like concussions, broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, soft tissue injuries, spinal damage, and long-term psychological trauma. Before any other action, it is important to seek medical attention as soon as possible following a bicycle accident.

What Should I Do After a Bicycle Accident?

In the unfortunate event that you endure a bicycle accident in Charlotte, North Carolina, you must be prepared with the knowledge of what steps are most helpful in protecting your rights and ensuring safety. Below is a guide to the important steps you can take after an accident:

• Identify Injuries: Immediately following a bicycle accident, individuals should assess themselves for injuries as well as others who were involved in the accident. If it is needed, seek medical attention immediately, even if the injuries seem minor, as conditions can worsen over time.
• Report the Accident: Call local law enforcement to report the accident; especially when another party is clearly at fault for the accident or there are injuries or severe damage. Police reports serve as a valuable paper trail that can help insurance claims and legal proceedings.
• Exchange Information: Exchange information with other parties involved in the accident. Try to get their names, phone numbers, and insurance policy details, as this will help you get in contact with them later.
• Document the Scene: It is helpful to document the accident scene by taking photos or videos of any visible injuries, property damage, road conditions, and traffic signs and signals. This documentation can help in your insurance claim and the legal process down the road.
• Notify Your Insurance Company: Many insurance providers hold a time limit in which they will accept insurance claim requests after the date of an accident so it is vital to reach out as soon as possible. Provide them with the accurate details of the incident.
• Consult a Local Personal Injury Attorney: Request a consultation with a personal injury attorney who has experience in handling bicycle accident cases in North Carolina. An attorney will advise you on your legal rights and what options you have moving forward in securing damage recovery.

In the event of an injury, it is vital to seek the support of a personal injury attorney promptly, even as soon as at the scene of the accident. The legal counsel of a personal injury attorney can share crucial, real-time guidance and support that can impact the outcome of your case.

Regardless of what stage you are at following a bicycle accident, a Bridgman Gantt Law personal injury attorney is available to listen to your situation and discuss how our team can possibly provide aid.

Charlotte Bicycle Law FAQs

Q: Is It Illegal to Ride a Bike on the Sidewalk in North Carolina?

A: It is not always illegal to bike on the sidewalk in North Carolina. Cycling laws in North Carolina do allow travel for cyclists on sidewalks unless the local regulations specifically prohibit it. Regardless of where a cyclist is riding, they are required to yield to pedestrians right of way and take responsibility to avoid collisions regardless of it they are on sidewalks, bike lines, or roads.

Q: Are Bicycles Treated as Motor Vehicles in North Carolina?

A: Bicycles are not treated as motor vehicles under North Carolina state law. Bicycles are legally considered vehicles that have unique rules and regulations that dictate and govern their operation.

Bicyclists must follow traffic laws applicable to vehicles, like stopping at stop signs and obeying traffic signals, just like motor vehicles. Cyclists are required to be familiar with both general traffic laws and bicycle-specific regulations, as this ensures safe travel for all types of vehicles on roads.

Q: What Are the Rules for Bikes in North Carolina?

A: The specific rules and regulations for bikes in North Carolina address issues such as traffic laws, bike lanes, roadway and sidewalk usage, passing requirements, lights and reflectors, helmets, and DUI laws. Bicyclists, just like motor vehicle drivers, are required to respect traffic signals, yield to pedestrians, stop at all stop signs and red lights, and signal turns with hand or arm movements. There are several rules which also guide a cyclist’s equipment and operation.

Q: Do Cyclists Have to Stop at Stop Signs in North Carolina?

A: Cyclists are required to stop at stop signs in North Carolina, just like motor vehicles. As bicycles are considered vehicles in North Carolina law, they should adhere to the same traffic laws as motorists. Cyclists are required to obey stop signs and traffic signals and yield to the right-of-way. At stop signs, cyclists must come to a complete stop, just like motorists, and look for oncoming traffic, proceeding only when it is safe to move.

Q: How Much Do Bicycle Accident Attorneys Charge in North Carolina?

A: The amount a bicycle accident attorney can charge in North Carolina varies depending on each case’s specific factors. These factors can include the case complexity, the attorney’s experience level, the level of fault in an accident, and more. Attorneys often work on a contingency fee basis, which means the attorney’s payment is contingent on the successful resolution of the case and will only receive compensation if the case is successful.

Contact a Charlotte Bicycle Accident Attorney Today

As North Carolina holds complex and strict personal injury laws and requirements, it is essential to enlist the support of a thorough attorney. The attorneys at Bridgman Gantt Law have represented individuals in personal injury claims for over thirty years. Our experience provides us with a detailed understanding and mastery of local laws and regulations that directly impact bicycle accident claims.

At Bridgman Gantt Law, we believe you should not go through this process on your own. Reach out today to set up a consultation and learn how we can step into your bicycle accident case and provide legal guidance and support to ensure you receive the most favorable outcome for your claim.