According to Walk Bike NC, approximately 1,000 bicycle-motor vehicle accidents occur every year in North Carolina. A lot of those bicyclists suffer from serious injuries and property damage because of motor vehicle driver error. The costs of recovery can be expensive, but the law provides a way of recovering some of those costs.
If you or a loved one were injured in a bicycle accident, you may be able to take legal action to recover financial compensation that will help handle the cost of your recovery. Start the legal process by discussing your case with a Charlotte bicycle accident lawyer to see what steps you should take next. Call the offices of Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (800) 761-5225 to schedule a free consultation with our team.
Determining Liability
Liability for your accident must be determined before filing a lawsuit. You can only file a lawsuit against whoever is liable for the damages in your accident. In a bicycle accident case, it is most likely the person who drove the motor vehicle that caused the accident.
There are cases where the driver may not be held liable. As a bike rider, you are obligated to follow the same vehicle laws as other drivers with a few exceptions. If you violate those laws in a way that caused your accident, you may not be able to file your lawsuit. Having evidence that shows that you followed the law can be helpful to your case. This is why some bike riders like to have helmet cameras or other monitoring devices that can be used as evidence in case something happens.
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Common Charlotte Bicycle Accident Expenses
Bicycle accidents tend to cause expenses that victims have to deal with. Medical expenses are the most common expense since it is highly likely that the victim is injured in the accident. Emergency medical care can be expensive, and you may require ongoing care such as physical therapy.
In terms of property damage, the expense may be relatively small compared to medical expenses. However, some bicycles, helmet cams, and other equipment are expensive. Bicycles need extensive repairs or replacement after accidents.
A bicycle accident victim is also likely to miss work. Bicycle accident injuries tend to be more severe and take longer to heal. This keeps the victim out of work, which impacts their regular finances.
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Understanding Your Rights
If you are injured in a bicycle accident that someone else caused, you have the right to file a lawsuit to recover compensation. Under civil law, you are not required to handle personal injury expenses on your own; the person who caused your injuries can be held liable for the proper legal action.
You also have the right to seek legal support throughout the process. Having a lawyer can be helpful in managing your case and resolving issues as they arise. Without experience or training in the legal process, it may prove difficult to handle a lawsuit on your own. Fortunately, it is not difficult to get a Charlotte bicycle accident lawyer who can help you with your case.
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Seeking Compensation
Seeking compensation in a lawsuit can help you protect your finances from long-term damage. The process of receiving compensation is relatively simple. You need to file a lawsuit with the court that includes claims for different types of compensation for each of your expenses. The need for collecting evidence is part of the reason why it takes so long for lawyers to build cases. Each individual expense must be accounted for to be claimed in the lawsuit. Your lawyer may also need to provide evidence that your injuries are directly related to your accident and not another condition.
Depending on how the lawsuit resolves, you could end up collecting compensation for more than just your expenses. Several types of compensation may be awarded that address nonmonetary effects of the accident. For example, a victim who has severe mental and emotional stress because of the accident may receive pain and suffering compensation. Since it is not based on a specific expense, there are several ways to calculate it.
Being awarded pain and suffering compensation can significantly increase the amount of compensation that you receive. However, it is not awarded in each case; it is only awarded in special circumstances. Discuss your case with a lawyer to see which claims you may file and what amount of compensation you may expect to receive.
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Your Legal Options for Recourse
Being the victim of a bicycle accident gives you the option of filing a lawsuit against the person who is responsible for your accident. You likely have a lot of medical expenses and some property damage expenses that can be difficult to handle on your own and will hurt your finances. By taking legal action, you may recover compensation that you can use to pay off those expenses and get your finances back on track.
If you decide to take legal action, talk to a lawyer as soon as possible to see what your legal options are. You only have a limited amount of time to file your case due to the statute of limitations. According to NC General Statutes (GS) §1-52(16), you have three years to file a lawsuit with claims for personal injury and property damage. Do not miss your chance to take legal action and protect your finances from long-term problems.
Contact a Lawyer to Discuss Your Case
Making a full recovery after a bicycle accident can be a long and difficult process. However, there are things you can do to make the process a bit easier. One of those is taking legal action to collect compensation for your expenses. Rather than letting the accident ruin your finances for the foreseeable future, you can play an active role in making sure that the accident does not continue to make such an impact.
If you or a loved one were injured in a bicycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation to help pay for your recovery. Before you make any decisions about taking legal action, contact a Charlotte bicycle accident lawyer to discuss your case. Call the team at Ben Crump Law, PLLC at (800) 761-5225 to schedule a free consultation and find out what you can do after a bicycle accident.
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