Are you struggling to cope emotionally after a bicycle accident in Shelby, North Carolina? Is the financial toll beginning to wear your family down? Have your physical injuries forever changed the way you live your life? If so, you may be entitled to financial compensation.
If another party’s negligence or misconduct caused your bicycle accident injuries, you might be able to make them pay. A Shelby bicycle accident lawyer at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC can help explain what legal options are available to you in North Carolina.
Do You Have Grounds For A Bicycle Accident Claim In Shelby?
Bicycle accident victims in Shelby may be hesitant to contact a lawyer for help because they are unsure whether they have grounds for a claim. However, there are a few ways you may be able to tell that you have the right to compensation following your bicycle accident. These ways include considering your injuries and who the at-fault party is in your bike accident.
First, consider how impactful your injuries have been or are expected to be. If you have suffered injuries that have significantly impacted your life, you may have the right to be compensated for those losses. That does not necessarily mean your injury should have been life-threatening or life-changing. However, the injuries should have impacted you enough to suffer significant emotional, physical, or financial trauma.
Next, think about whether someone else could be responsible for causing your bicycle accident injuries. If another person or entity’s negligence or misconduct caused your injuries, you have the right to hold them accountable. You should be on the hook for your medical expenses, bicycle repairs, loss of income, and dealing with the emotional trauma of your injuries if someone else is responsible.
Still, if you are unsure whether another party is at fault for your bicycle accident injuries, you may want to speak to a professional. The best way to determine these factors is by hiring a bicycle accident attorney in Shelby who can investigate the cause of your accident and reveal the truth.
Personal Injury Attorneys Can Show Cause And Fault In Bicycle Accidents
Showing that someone else is responsible for causing your bicycle accident is of utmost importance if you hope to win your bicycle accident claim in North Carolina. To uncover liability, your attorney will need to analyze the cause of your bike accident. Some of the more common causes of Shelby bicycle accidents include
- Impaired driving
- Distracted or fatigued driving
- Failure to stop or failure to yield
- Making illegal turns
- Road rage
- Following too closely
- Hazardous road conditions
- Inclement weather
- Defective bike or vehicle parts
Your attorney’s investigation will uncover the cause of your bicycle accident and the respective culpable party. In addition, there may be multiple parties who are found liable for your injuries.
For example, suppose a drunk driver struck you. Not only could the intoxicated driver be held accountable, but if a dram shop sold them alcohol when they were already under the influence, they could also be held responsible for covering the costs of your injuries.
This is just one example of some of the more common causes and potential liable parties in Shelby bicycle accidents. You can expect to get the answers you need once your personal injury attorney begins investigating your bicycle accident.
What To Expect From The Bicycle Accident Claims Process In North Carolina
After everything you have been through in a bike accident, you may feel intimidated about filing an insurance claim or bringing your case to court. However, your confidence may increase if you know what to expect from your accident claim. Here is a basic idea of how a bicycle accident claims process works in Shelby once you hire a bicycle accident lawyer:
- Your attorney opens an investigation into the cause of your bicycle accident
- Your legal team gathers evidence to prove culpability for your bike injuries
- Your attorney reviews how your injuries have affected your life to determine the value of your bicycle accident claim
- Your lawyer will file a claim with the insurance company after determining liability
After the claim has been filed, insurance negotiations will ensue. At this point, the insurance company will want to settle your claim with an offer. Your bike accident lawyer can help you evaluate whether the settlement offer is worth accepting.
North Carolina Bicycle Accident Insurance Settlements
Many bicycle accident victims can recover a portion of their damages through an insurance settlement. However, your insurance settlement may not cover your damages in full.
Insurance settlements are paid out based on the coverage amounts purchased by the policyholder. If the liable party only purchased the minimum amount of coverage, you may be surprised to find that you have remaining losses. If this happens or the negotiations fail to provide you with the settlement you deserve, your lawyer will prepare your case for trial.
Compensation For Shelby Bicycle Accident Victims
Bicycle accident victims have the right to be compensated for every loss. You should be repaid for your medical expenses and bike repair fees. Further, you should also be compensated for your non-economic damages and the other financial losses you have experienced due to your bicycle accident injury.
Some of the different types of losses you could recover include:
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Diminished earning capacity
- Loss of consortium
- Skin scarring
- Disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Medical expenses
- Property damages
Get Help From A Bicycle Accident Lawyer In Shelby Today
Bicycle accidents have been known to produce life-threatening injuries. If your injuries have had a considerable impact on your life, you could hold the liable party accountable and recover your damages in their entirety.
Find out how much your case is worth when you contact a Shelby bicycle accident lawyer at Farmer & Morris Law, PLLC for help. Our firm proudly offers no-cost, risk-free consultations to bicycle accident victims across Shelby and surrounding cities in North Carolina. Claim yours by completing our quick contact form or calling our office.