Bicycle Accident Lawyer Raleigh NC
When dealing with a bicycle injury caused by the negligence of another person, you will want a bicycle accident lawyer in Raleigh, NC, by your side such as the ones available at Burton Law Firm. Burton Law Firm seeks to maximize your personal injury compensation while offsetting the complications that may arise—such as the cost of a lawyer, and other complexities of the legal process. This is the law firm for you if you have a complex case. As they seek to provide unparalleled services to their clients. When you have suffered an injury, reach out to Burton Law Firm for a bicycle accident lawyer in Raleigh, NC that’s going to take care of you. The legal team at Burton Law Firm wants to hold the people responsible for the negligence that caused your injuries accountable for their actions. When you ride a bicycle and you are on the highways, you are around cars and trucks that are much bigger and weigh much more than your bicycle. Therefore bicycle injuries are more common than people think, and actually, bicycle injuries are 2% of all traffic-related deaths and injuries per year. 20% of all bicycle deaths occur between 6 pm and 9 pm, and 71% of all deaths occur in urban areas, which have high traffic. One of the biggest factors that play into bicycle injuries and deaths is negligence because bicyclists have their own laws they must follow to be on the road and then cars must account for bicycles being on the road. Bicyclists use hand signals because they do not have signal lights. And vehicles may not be prepared to watch for those hand signals if they do get used by a bicyclist. While deaths happen far more often than people would want, injuries are far more common. Sometimes injuries can be extremely serious, such as traumatic brain injuries, and can require the help of a bicycle accident lawyer in Raleigh, NC. The most common bicycle accident injuries are as follows, though this list is not full:- Contusions
- Abrasions
- Lacerations
- Strains
- Fractures
Raleigh Bicycle Accident Lawyer
- Bicycle Accident Lawyer Raleigh NC
- Steps To Take After A Bike Accident
- What Are Common Situations For Bicycle Accidents?
- Potential Recovery Roadblocks For Bicycle Accident Victims
- Allegations Of Rider Misconduct
- Statute Of Limitations Concerns
- Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
- Raleigh Bicycle Accident Law Infographic
- Raleigh Bicycle Accident Law FAQs
- Burton Law Firm, PLLC Raleigh Bicycle Accident Lawyer
- Raleigh Bicycle Accident Lawyer Google Review
- Why Should I Get A Raleigh Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
- Call Our Personal Injury Law Firm
Steps to Take After a Bike Accident
A bicycle accident lawyer Raleigh, NC clients trust knows that as cycling has become more popular over the years, the number of bicycle accidents has dramatically spiked, as well. Our firm has helped numerous bike accident victims obtain the financial compensation they deserved for their injuries. The following is a brief overview of what you should do if you have been injured in a bike accident. For more detailed information, call Burton Law Firm.At the Scene
Just as in any type of vehicle accident, it is critical to obtain all relevant information when you have been hurt in a bike accident. The more information you can provide that will prove your claim, the more successful you will be in obtaining the full amount of damages you may be entitled to. The first thing you want to do when you have been hit by a vehicle is to get off the road. You do not want to risk more injury by other vehicle drivers who may not see you. If you are physically able, call the police and wait for someone to arrive at the scene, even if you do not think you have been injured. It is not uncommon for symptoms of injuries to not show up for several hours, sometimes even for several days. The police officer will take down all relevant information and may even cite the driver. This police report can help your Raleigh bicycle accident lawyer in any claim you file. While you are waiting for the police to arrive, you should take the driver’s contact information, including their license number, vehicle insurance information, and registration. Use your phone camera to capture a photo of their license plate. You should also take photos of any damage done to the vehicle and your bike, as well as photos of the area where the accident occurred in. If you have been injured and are unable to do these things, ask a witness or bystander to do them for you. And if there were witnesses to the accident, make sure to get their contact information, too. The at-fault driver may try to talk you out of filing a claim and offer to pay for any damage to your bike or medical bills right at the scene. Do not agree to anything. You do not know what the extent of your injuries are at that point and many drivers who hit cyclists feel badly at the scene, but then later try to put blame on the victim or deny they were even at the site of the accident. Although you may be tempted to get your bike repaired or dispose of it if the damage cannot be fixed, keep your bike until your case has been fully resolved.What are common situations for bicycle accidents?
There are countless situations that can result in a bicycle accident and injury, and any of them may give you the option to pursue a legal claim for compensation with the assistance of an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Raleigh, NC from the Burton Law Firm. It is recommended that you speak with a lawyer sooner rather than later to get started on the legal process and give you time to consider your legal options. Waiting too long could limit your options or damage your case, so it is recommended to start working with a lawyer early. Below are some of the more common bicycle accident situations that bike accident lawyers see, but is certainly not an exhaustive list and cases are not limited to these particular scenarios.- Car turns into bicycle at intersection or crossing side streets
- Car side-swipes bicycle
- Car turns in front of bicycle without enough space or time for cyclist to stop
- Car simply doesn’t see bicycle and collides with them
- Car turns in front of bicycle rider causing them to brake hard and flip/fall off their bike
- Two bikes have a collision
- Collision with pedestrian or loss of control from attempt to avoid collision
Potential Recovery Roadblocks for Bicycle Accident Victims
One of the reasons why it is so important to connect with a skilled bicycle accident lawyer Raleigh, NC residents trust is that filing a successful bicycle accident lawsuit is not always a straightforward undertaking. Even when injury victims are clearly deserving of compensation, legal barriers and practical hurdles can make it difficult for them to secure a fairly valued damages award. Thankfully, the experienced legal team at Burton Law Firm has extensive experience navigating North Carolina bicycle laws successfully on behalf of our clients. It is, therefore, important for you to understand that if you’ve recently been injured as a result of a bicycle accident, you don’t have to weather the nuanced ins and outs of a legal case on your own. Our team is here to advocate aggressively on behalf of your interests while providing you with personalized, client-focused representation.Allegations of Rider Misconduct
In an effort to minimize the risk that they will be held liable for their own negligent, reckless, or intentionally dangerous actions, the driver who hit you may insist that you should be held partially liable for the harm you’ve suffered. As a pure contributory negligence state, North Carolina doesn’t allow accident victims to recover damages if it is determined that they were partially to blame for their injurious circumstances. Most of the time, defendants assert that an injury victim should be held partially liable for their harm due to some minor traffic infraction committed by the cyclist who was struck. § 20 contains motor vehicle statutes for the state of North Carolina and here are some of the more common legal infractions committed by bicycle riders in North Carolina, organized in a user-friendly way. It’s important to not lose hope though if you’re concerned that the driver who hit you may insist that you were somehow riding unsafely and ultimately contributed to the causes of your crash. A specific provision of North Carolina law – § 1-139 – places the burden of proof concerning contributory negligence on the defendant, not the plaintiff. This means that the driver will need to clearly prove that you contributed the cause of your harm before you can be barred from recovery. The Raleigh bicycle accident lawyer team at the Burton Law Firm understands how to manage such defensive tactics successfully, whenever doing so is possible.Statute of Limitations Concerns
Per North Carolina law (§ 1-52), bicycle accident injury victims are only afforded three years to file a lawsuit against those responsible for their harm. If a lawsuit is not filed within three years of the date upon which an accident occurs, the victim will be barred from receiving compensation for their injuries. It is, therefore, critically important to connect with the experienced legal team at the Burton Law Firm as soon as possible after you’ve suffered harm due to a bicycle accident. It can take time to gather evidence and build the strongest possible case designed to maximize your recovery. If you don’t speak with a Raleigh bicycle accident lawyer on our team quickly, you may lose out on an award that properly reflects the harm you’ve suffered.Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
Riding a bicycle is a great mode of transportation and can help you stay in good physical shape. However, bicyclists can also get into accidents with vehicles if they aren’t careful. Since bicyclists lack the protection of a vehicle, they are more likely to suffer serious injuries in accidents. The most common bicycle accident injuries:Head Injuries
Head injuries are one of the most common and severe injuries bicyclists can sustain during accidents. These injuries can cause many different symptoms, such as memory loss, dizziness, nausea, and headaches. If a head injury is severe enough, it can lead to permanent mental and emotional changes. Bicyclists can reduce the severity of head injuries by always wearing a helmet.Broken Bones
When thrown off a bicycle during an accident, some cyclists may break bones in their arms, legs, and even hips. Breaking a bone can be extremely painful and take a while to recover from. If a bone is broken in more than one place, surgery may be required.Facial Injuries
Bicyclists may also suffer facial injuries if they are thrown off their bikes in a collision. Facial injuries may include dental fractures, eye injuries, and facial fractures and can lead to permanent nerve damage and scarring.Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries affect the muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Some of the most common soft tissue injuries cyclists sustain in accidents include lacerations, bruises, road rash, and puncture wounds. While some of the injuries can be easily treated, others require skin grafts and surgery.Back Injuries
Bicyclists can sustain back injuries too when thrown off a bike. Common back injuries may include herniated discs, fractured vertebrae, and spinal cord damage. In severe cases, these injuries can cause people to lose their motor skills and require lifetime assistance.Organ Damage
Blunt force trauma during a bicycle accident can also lead to organ damage, such as a punctured lung. These injuries can be life-threatening, so it’s crucial to seek medication care immediately.Raleigh Bicycle Accident Law Infographic
Getting Medical Care After a Bicycle Accident
No matter what type of injuries you sustained in a bicycle accident, you should seek emergency medical care right away. A doctor can accurately diagnose your injuries and recommend the appropriate treatment. The sooner you seek medical attention, the more likely you are to make a full recovery.Raleigh Bicycle Accident Law FAQs
Why does a bicycle accident necessitate contacting a lawyer?
Bicycles are a form of transportation and a very popular choice for recreational activities. Riding a bicycle has become safer since bike lanes and safety equipment have been created. However, even when taking preventative measures, safety is still a serious issue for bicyclists due to sharing the road with drivers. For those who have been injured due to the poor driving and recklessness of a vehicle driver, they often seek legal assistance from a bicycle accident lawyer Raleigh, NC victims trust Burton Law Firm. Our legal team has been committed to helping the wrongfully injured for many years. We want to help you receive compensation for medical bills, and loss of pay due to missing work, in addition to pain and suffering.What can I do to protect myself when riding a bike?
There are many safety measures you can take in order to help prevent the event of a car accident from happening to you. The most common forms of protection can include the following:- Try to refrain from riding at dawn or dusk due to low amount of visibility
- Wear reflectors and bright or light-colored clothing
- Ride in groups or pairs
- Install mirrors and horns onto your bike to help you navigate in traffic
- Practice safe yielding and use hand signals
- Wear protective equipment, such as knee & elbow pads, helmet, and gloves with a grip
- Maintain your bicycle so it is always in great working condition