You can get prompt legal help after a bike accident in Kings Mountain, NC. Your lawyer can step in and help if you were driving in a vehicle or riding a bike at the time of the accident. Members of our team at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, apply our training and experience to your case.
Our Kings Mountain bicycle accident lawyers can step in to help you collect evidence about the causes of the accident. Your personal injury attorney can also review your losses, stand up for you around insurance agents, and provide you answers to all your legal questions.
Facts About Bicycle Laws and Accidents in North Carolina
North Carolina has several laws governing the actions of bicyclists throughout the state. All bikers have the same general duties and rights as motorists, including the right to use the road. Bikers should generally drive with the flow of traffic, instead of against it, and stop at all relevant traffic signals, for example.
Bikers should not engage in unsanctioned racing, and all bikers under the age of 16 have a legal obligation to wear a helmet under G.S. § 20-171.2 and G.S. § 20-171.9, respectively. The state sets up these rules in an attempt to help bikers stay safe while out on the road.
Take These Steps After Your North Carolina Bicycle Accident
If you got hurt in a bike accident in North Carolina, you might want to take several steps right away. Make sure that you:
- Contact the police and report the accident if the collision caused property damage or injuries.
- Get pictures of the scene of the accident and your injuries.
- Collect contact information from all involved parties and witnesses.
- Seek medical care for your injuries.
- Reach out to a bicycle accident lawyer for help.
Getting legal help right away can help you feel more confident about the next steps to take to build your claim. Our team can provide fast answers to any questions you have after your accident. We use our experience to guide you through the entirety of your legal process.
Questions You Could Ask Your Accident Lawyer
Your lawyer can step in to keep you informed after a bike accident in Kings Mountain. We recommend that you have a list of questions ready for your lawyer so you can learn more about your case. You may want to ask:
How Can I Protect My Bike Accident Claim?
After a Kings Mountain bike accident, it’s important to watch what you say. Do not admit fault for the accident to the other driver or insurance agents. You may also want to avoid posting about the accident on social media. Review any statements with your lawyer.
What Deadlines Affect Bike Accident Cases?
Generally, your attorney will help you file a personal injury claim after your collision. You must do this before the deadline imposed by the insurance company arrives.
Under G.S. § 1-52, North Carolina generally gives you three years to file a lawsuit. However, you may only have two years to file a wrongful death lawsuit if you file for a family member lost in this kind of collision.
How Long Will My Claim Take?
The amount of time it takes to resolve bicycle accident claims varies based on the situation surrounding your collision. Your lawyer needs to collect evidence to build the claim, which may involve:
- Speaking with witnesses
- Visiting the scene of the collision
- Accessing your police report
- Working with bike accident experts
Once your lawyer has your claim prepared, they can move forward with the legal process. Generally, claims resolve more quickly if you settle with insurance agents instead of going to court. You can find out more about the specific time frame for your case by reaching out to us.
Will My Claim Go to Trial?
In many cases, lawyers help you avoid going to trial after a bike accident in Kings Mountain. Instead, lawyers negotiate with insurance agents to bring you compensation which can include coverage for your:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages at work
- Pain and suffering and mental anguish
However, insurance agents sometimes refuse to treat you fairly. In this situation, a lawyer may help you file a lawsuit against the driver who struck you.
We Identify the Causes of Kings Mountain Bike Accidents
We take steps to find the cause of your bicycle accident in Kings Mountain. Our team can take steps to show that someone else acted in a dangerous or negligent way, leading to your injuries and possible property damage. Bike accidents can occur if a driver:
- Opens their door into the path of a biker
- Turns left in front of a bicyclist
- Changes lanes and strikes a biker
- Pulls out of a driveway or parking space while a biker goes past
Many bikers end up facing broken bones, fractures, cuts, internal injuries, and more after a collision with a vehicle. We understand that bikers can also cause accidents in Kings Mountain. Bikers who do not pay attention, ignore stop signs, or illegally turn could end up causing a collision. You can trust our team to assess the root causes of your accident while representing you in court.
According to the National Safety Council (NSC), biking can become a dangerous activity, even when bikers follow all the rules. Over 325,000 bikers sustained non-fatal injuries in 2020, for example. More than 1,000 bikers ended up in fatal accidents in the same period of time. We could help if you or a loved one suffered a bicycle accident.
Get Professional Help From a Kings Mountain Bicycle Accident Attorney
You have legal options following a Kings Mountain bike accident. You can discuss these options today with our team. Allow a lawyer at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC, to take charge. We handle all your legal needs while you focus on recovery.