Monroe Bicycle Accident Attorney

Monroe Bicycle Accidents

Bicycles are popular in the Monroe area and throughout the surrounding communities of North Carolina. Many people ride for pleasure and exercise, while some use their bikes for local transportation. Whatever your reasons may be for bicycling in Monroe, it’s vital to acknowledge the risks you face when you ride your bike near motor vehicles. While most bicyclists are able to ride without issue and reach their destinations safely, bicycle accidents can and do happen in Monroe, NC and they often have devastating consequences for those involved.

Helping Bicycle Accident Victims Recover in Monroe

If you or a family member is recovering from injuries suffered in a bicycle accident, you have grounds for legal recourse if another party directly caused the accident. An experienced Monroe bicycle accident attorney is a valuable asset in this situation. In addition, since a bicycle accident is a type of vehicle accident, the injured cyclist would have the right to file an auto insurance claim against the driver who caused the accident. This could provide valuable initial relief but may not fully compensate the victim’s losses.

When you have an experienced attorney handling your recovery efforts, you have the best chance of maximizing the compensation you obtain from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Additionally, if you must proceed with a civil action to secure repayment of your outstanding damages, your attorney will be invaluable in building a compelling civil claim against the at-fault driver. Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler can provide the comprehensive legal representation you need to approach your recovery efforts with greater confidence and peace of mind.

Benefits of Hiring a Monroe Bicycle Accident Attorney

It’s technically possible to handle your recovery efforts on your own. Some may believe this would be the best way to save money on legal fees for their cases, but a plaintiff faces many significant risks when they do not have legal counsel advising them. For example, an insurance company could be argumentative or unreasonable in handling their auto insurance claim, and some insurers essentially bully desperate claimants into accepting lowball settlement offers as their damages compound into dire financial problems for their families.

If you have an experienced Monroe bicycle accident attorney assist you with your insurance claim, the insurer will be more inclined to process your claim efficiently once they recognize that you have legal representation. The attorneys at Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler have helped many Monroe area clients navigate insurance claims with local carriers, and we know the tactics they typically employ to reduce their liability for damages. Our goal with any client’s auto insurance claim is to maximize the compensation they obtain from the at-fault driver’s policy as quickly as possible.

Even if a bicycle accident victim manages to secure the maximum amount of insurance coverage possible from an at-fault driver’s insurance company, the damages from their accident could easily exceed the settlement check they receive. Therefore, when you must file a civil claim for damages after a bicycle accident, an experienced personal injury attorney is an essential asset if you want to reach the best possible outcome.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accident Injuries in Monroe

Bicyclists have many of the same rights and responsibilities as other motor vehicle drivers on most roads. While bicyclists may not ride on highways and a few other types of roads, they can move with the flow of traffic and hold space in a lane just like any motor vehicle driver. However, they must understand and acknowledge the risks they face in doing so. Bicycle accidents happen for many of the same causes as other motor vehicle accidents, such as:

• Distracted driving. A few seconds of inattentive driving is enough to cause a devastating accident. Since bicycles are smaller than other vehicles, bicyclists are especially vulnerable to distracted drivers nearby. Yet, across the United States, distracted driving continues to be a leading cause of all motor vehicle accidents year after year.
• Intoxicated driving. It is illegal for anyone to drive under the influence of alcohol or drugs. If an intoxicated driver hits a bicyclist, they are not only likely to cause extreme injuries and face significant civil liability but also face criminal prosecution. Penalties for driving under the influence in North Carolina can include fines, jail time, and driver’s license suspension, and these penalties increase for repeat offenders.
• Speeding. Any time a driver exceeds the speed limit, they significantly reduce the distance and time they have to slow down or stop to avoid crashing into a bicyclist. Therefore, not only can speeding increase the chances of an accident happening, but speeding is also a major contributing factor in accidents that result in catastrophic or fatal injuries.
• Poor visibility. All drivers have a duty of care to use extra care and caution during periods of low visibility, such as when driving at night, in heavy fog, or during stormy weather. Bicyclists should use reflectors and do everything they can to make themselves as obvious as possible to passing drivers. A driver could easily hit a bicyclist in poor driving conditions, which may generate a heated dispute regarding fault between the parties involved.

Determining the exact cause of your recent bicycle accident is an essential first step toward recovery. The state enforces a contributory negligence rule, so anyone intending to file any type of personal injury claim must consider whether they are partially to blame for the incident. If a plaintiff is found partially liable in a personal injury case, they lose the right to recover their damages from the defendant, even if their fault is slight. Therefore, if you are concerned about bearing partial fault for a recent bicycle accident or if your injuries were so severe that you do not remember how your accident happened, it is vital to consult an experienced Monroe bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible.

Recovery From Bicycle Accident Damages in Monroe

Once you have proven liability for your bicycle accident, your attorney can assist you in establishing the full scope of damages you can legally seek from the defendant. State law requires a defendant to fully repay all of the economic losses they caused to the plaintiff. An attorney can help their client gather bills, invoices, and any other documentation required to prove the full scope of the economic losses the defendant caused. It’s also possible for the plaintiff to recover compensation for long-term damages as well.

Many bicycle accidents cause life-changing injuries. Whenever a motor vehicle collides with a bicyclist, even at a moderate speed, the bicyclist is likely to suffer various injuries. Broken bones, spinal injuries, and traumatic brain damage are just a few possibilities. The defendant is liable for any medical treatment costs imposed upon the plaintiff. When a plaintiff has suffered permanent injuries from a defendant’s actions, the defendant’s financial liability for the cost of managing the plaintiff’s condition and compensating their diminished quality of life is likely to be substantial.

Economic damages in most Monroe personal injury claims include medical expenses, long-term treatment costs, lost income, and future earning capacity. Many bicycle accident victims are left unable to work due to their injuries or may be compelled to train for a new job because of a disability acquired from the accident. The defendant is liable for any lost earning capacity the plaintiff experiences, and a Monroe bicycle accident attorney is the best resource to consult for accurately calculating complex long-term damages like these.

If you or a loved one has suffered extreme injuries and face an uncertain future because of a defendant’s negligence or misconduct, state law dictates they are responsible for the physical pain, emotional distress, and psychological suffering they have caused. This can seem difficult to calculate, but an experienced Monroe bicycle accident attorney will know how to determine a fair amount of pain and suffering compensation for their client. Likewise, any plaintiff who has suffered permanent damage from a defendant’s actions is likely to secure a substantial amount of pain and suffering compensation with the right attorney handling their claim.

Find Legal Counsel You Can Trust Today

Time is a critical concern for anyone who intends to file any type of personal injury claim in the Monroe area. The sooner you connect with an attorney after your accident, the more time they will have to prepare a solid case on your behalf. Additionally, you have a limited time in which to file an auto insurance claim against an at-fault driver, and you have the best chance of maximizing your insurance settlement with an experienced Monroe bicycle accident attorney handling your case.

The attorneys at Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler have years of experience handling all manner of personal injury cases on behalf of clients in Monroe and the surrounding communities. We know how damaging these incidents can be and the many pressing legal questions a victim is likely to have in the aftermath of their experience. Our team can provide the guidance and support you need to understand your recovery options, and we’ll guide you through each stage of your case proceedings until you reach the best possible results.

Contact Ayers, Whitlow & Dressler today to schedule a consultation with a Monroe bicycle accident attorney. Our team will review the details of your recent accident, help you understand your best avenues of recovery, and let you know how our firm can assist you.