Every time you ride your bike, you expect that other road users will follow traffic regulations. However, even with the laws that North Carolina has in place, not everyone upholds their duty of care.
Did you suffer serious injuries in a bicycle accident? If so, you have legal options with Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC. Our bicycle accident lawyers ready to seek compensation for each of your losses, including pain and suffering. When you entrust your case to a Rutherfordton bicycle accident lawyer from our firm, you don’t have to worry about anything other than getting better.
How Much Does It Cost To Hire an Injury Lawyer from Our Team?
Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC has always supported injured claimants on a contingency-fee basis. This means that we don’t charge upfront fees, hourly rates, or retainers. Here’s what you can expect once we partner together:
- We will assess your case at no cost, identifying each of your recoverable losses.
- We will take a portion of your settlement as payment for our help, and you’ll agree to this arrangement in writing.
- We will do everything possible to win your case.
- If we recover compensation for your losses, we’ll take our agreed-upon percentage.
You can learn more about this agreement when you consult with our team.
You Have a Limited Time To File a Personal Injury Lawsuit
In North Carolina, you generally have three years to file an injury lawsuit, per G.S. § 1-52. If you attempt to file a civil lawsuit after the statute of limitations has expired, the court will dismiss your case. If this happens, you’ll lose your legal right to request compensation from the liable party.
The statute of limitations isn’t the only reason to consider prompt legal action. Some evidence in your case won’t last forever. For instance, if traffic camera footage recorded your accident, it could get deleted. The sooner we learn about your situation, the sooner we can file your case and start gathering evidence.
Recoverable Damages After a Rutherfordton Bicycle Accident
Recoverable damages in your bicycle accident case could comprise:
Economic Damages
Economic damages account for your financial losses. Examples include:
- Lost wages, income, commissions, bonuses, and tips
- Diminished future earning capacity
- Past, present, and future medical costs
- Property damage expenses, such as the cost to repair or replace a bicycle
- Household services, such as caregivers and in-home help
We will use your injury-related invoices and receipts to determine what you’re owed. We may also review your employment records to determine how much time you missed from work. This will help us determine what you need to account for your past, present, and future lost income.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages cannot be evaluated by adding up invoices and billing statements. That’s because these damages reflect your physical and psychological hardships, such as:
- Emotional anguish
- Pain and suffering
- Disability and physical impairments
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of companionship
- Loss of life enjoyment
These Legal Avenues Could Secure Compensation for Your Accident Losses
We may pursue compensation by:
Filing an Insurance Claim with the Liable Insurer
After a bicycle accident in North Carolina, you can file a claim with the liable party’s insurance company. However, this is easier said than done––especially if you’re blamed for the collision.
Remember: an insurance company’s goal is to settle your case for as little money as possible. Yet, our goal is to settle your case for everything you deserve. To secure the best possible outcome, we will negotiate with the insurer, assess your losses, and advocate for what you need.
Filing a Civil Lawsuit
Our team resolves many personal injury claims through insurance negotiations. However, if the insurance company refuses to settle, blames you for the accident, or otherwise impedes the claims process, we’ll file a lawsuit.
Just like filing a claim, this isn’t easy. To secure a court award, we’ll have to prove that because another party acted negligently, you were hurt and incurred various losses. As noted, it also requires filing your case within the statute of limitations which, again, generally gives you three years to act.
We Will Investigate Your Bicycle Accident to Determine Liability
The hours, days, and weeks following a bicycle accident are vital in collecting evidence. As noted, every piece of evidence comes with an expiration date. For instance, over time, witnesses may forget key details. Physical evidence (such as skid marks) could disappear.
Our team will do everything possible to find and use evidence to support your case. This evidence could include:
- Diagrams of the accident scene
- Photos of the accident scene and your bicycle’s damage
- Video surveillance footage
- The police report
- Testimony from accident reconstruction specialists
- Your medical records
What to Do After Your Bicycle Accident in Rutherfordton
The steps you take after your bicycle accident could affect its final outcome. To protect your right to compensation, we suggest that you:
Seek Medical Care
Seeking medical attention does more than address your injuries; it also ties your condition to the accident itself. Don’t let the fear of costly medical bills prevent you from seeking treatment. We can include the cost of your past, present, and future healthcare expenses in your claim or lawsuit.
Refrain from Giving a Recorded Statement
Giving a recorded statement only benefits one entity: the insurance company. If the claims adjuster asks you for a statement, refer them to your lawyer. Anything you share could hurt your case and affect how much you can recover.
Document Your Injury-Related Losses
We want to recover everything you need for your injury-related losses. So, we want you to keep all records of your damages, including your medical bills, employment records, and other related information. This will help us determine what you need.
Contact Our Bicycle Accident Team for Help Today
When you’re ready to secure compensation for your collision-related losses, Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC is ready to hear from you. We will do everything in our power to recover what you need, including pain and suffering.
To explore your options with our team, connect with our firm now.