Were you injured in a bicycle accident in Charlotte, NC? The Charlotte bicycle accident lawyers at Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers can help you fight for compensation. Contact us at (704) 486-5824 today to learn how we can help you build a strong case.
Our lawyers have over 190 years of combined attorney experience. We’ve used this experience to recover over $850 million in settlements and verdicts (see disclaimer below). Let us take care of your legal matters while you focus on healing.
Why Should I Choose Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers to Help Me With My Bicycle Accident Claim in Charlotte?
When you choose Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers for your legal representation, you benefit from a team that has already earned over 1,800 five-star Google reviews.
Our Charlotte personal injury lawyers’ accolades include:
- An AV-Preeminent rating from Martindale-Hubbell’s lawyer rating service
- The National Trial Lawyers’ “Top 40 Under 40” award
- Super Lawyers rating
- The National Association of Distinguished Counsel’s “Top One Percent” award
The time after an accident is difficult enough. Our Charlotte bicycle accident attorneys are well-prepared to handle all your legal proceedings.
When you’re ready to learn more about your right to compensation, call our law office in Charlotte, North Carolina, to schedule a free consultation.
How Much Is My Charlotte Bicycle Accident Case Worth?
This is one of the first questions injury victims ask—-and for good reason. You cannot expect the insurance company to simply hand over a fair settlement without understanding how much you deserve.
Ultimately, the value of your personal injury case hinges on:
- How severe were your injuries?
- Will you make a full recovery?
- How much have you spent on medical care and rehabilitation?
- What other accident-related costs have you incurred?
- How has your income suffered?
- Will you ever return to work in the same capacity?
- How has your life changed?
- What future costs will you incur due to a long-term or permanent disability?
Many bike accident victims are forced to undergo lengthy medical procedures and even multiple surgeries. The bills can pile up quickly—-along with stress over finances. Your personal pain and trauma may have an even greater impact on your life.
You deserve an attorney who will fight for every available dollar. Our lawyers will never settle for less than you deserve. If the insurance company makes an unfair offer, we are prepared to take your case to trial.
What Types of Damages Are Available to Bicycle Accident Victims in Charlotte?
North Carolina personal injury laws divide damages into two basic categories: economic damages and non-economic damages.
An economic damages award should cover any costs you have paid, or will pay, due to the accident and injury, including:
- Current medical bills
- Projected future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Skilled nursing care
- In-home assistance
- Home or vehicle modifications
- Property damage
Our lawyers also have the experience to demand full compensation for your personal suffering. Your personal losses are your non-economic damages.
Some examples of the non-financial losses you may have to deal with include:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Chronic pain
- Anxiety, depression, and ongoing mental health issues
- Reduced quality of life
The consequences of a serious accident can be shocking, and it can take time for the impact to sink in. Our lawyers will work with you to understand all the ways your life may have changed due to the injury. Once we have the facts, we’ll be ready to demand full compensation from the at-fault parties.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer in North Carolina?
Your costs may already be overwhelming. The good news is that you won’t have to pay any upfront fees to hire our law firm. We work on a contingency fee basis, deducting our fees from your final settlement or verdict.
When you hire us, you’ll sign an agreement specifying the percentage of your compensation award that will cover your attorneys’ fees and costs.
Can I Recover Damages Even if I Am Partially Responsible for a Bicycle Accident in North Carolina?
If the defense team can prove that you share even a small portion of the blame, you will lose your right to compensation completely.
North Carolina has adopted a strict contributory negligence law. Victims are barred from recovering any compensation if they share any amount of fault. This is true even if the other party was primarily responsible for the crash.
Don’t panic if someone tries to blame you. The law gives defendants a strong incentive to blame victims. Insurance companies often convince victims to take less than they deserve by threatening that they’ll lose everything otherwise.
Don’t let the insurance company shift the blame onto you. If you’re facing accusations of shared fault in an accident, the seasoned lawyers at Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers know how to counter their tactics.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All Types of Bicycle Accident Injuries
Bicycles are no match for a motor vehicle in an accident.
At Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, we have the experience and resources to handle any type of personal injury case, including cases involving:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Broken ribs
- Chest injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Soft tissue damage
- Head and neck injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Burns and road rash
- Amputations and loss of limbs
- Facial injuries and disfigurement
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- The wrongful death of a loved one
Your helmet can only do so much to protect you. If you were injured, our lawyers will do everything we can to help you rebuild your life.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Charlotte?
Driver error is the root cause of most bicycle accidents.
Some of the most commonly-cited causes of bicycle accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Excessive speeds
- Failure to leave a safe distance between the vehicle and the bicycle
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Dangerous or wide turns
- Weaving into the bike lane or onto the shoulder
- A lack of dedicated bike lanes and protective barriers
- Drunk driving or drug use
- Fatigued and drowsy driving
- Dangerous road conditions
Often, a combination of factors plays a role in a crash. For example, if a driver is speeding and looking at their phone, the odds that they’ll be able to stop in time to prevent an accident are greatly reduced.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Bicycle Accident in North Carolina?
Negligence is the legal basis for most personal injury lawsuits.
The success of your claim depends on your ability to prove:
- The defendant had a legal duty of care (i.e., all drivers have a duty to exercise reasonable caution).
- Some breach of duty occurred (e.g., speeding, texting, veering into the bike lane).
- The breach caused your accident.
- You sustained losses, including medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and/or property damages.
A “preponderance of the evidence” standard applies in civil personal injury cases. You must show it’s “more likely than not” true that the defendant was liable for your injuries.
Proving your case can be tough when you’re up against an insurance company that sees cases like yours daily. While you’re recovering, our Charlotte bicycle accident attorneys will be compiling evidence. We’ll interview witnesses, examine medical records, visit the accident scene, and consult with experts as we prepare your claim.
How Can a Bicycle Accident Lawyer Help Me?
After a bicycle collision, you may be facing serious injuries, overwhelming medical bills, and pressure from insurance companies. A Charlotte bicycle accident lawyer can protect your rights and level the playing field. Your attorney will investigate the cause of the accident, gather police reports, medical records, and witness statements, and work with experts to establish liability. They’ll calculate the full value of your economic and non-economic losses so you don’t accept less than you deserve.
With experienced legal representation, you gain a skilled advocate who understands North Carolina’s contributory negligence laws and will fight to secure the maximum compensation available for your injuries.
How Common Are Bicycle Accidents in North Carolina?
According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s 2023 traffic accident report, 730 motor vehicle accidents involved bicycles that year.
704 non-fatal injuries were reported. Another 18 bike accident victims lost their lives. In the end, roughly 99% of all bicycle accidents reported during 2023 caused at least one injury or death.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Bicycle Accident in North Carolina?
If you allow too much time to pass, you will lose your right to sue for damages. Most personal injury cases in North Carolina have a three-year statute of limitations, starting on the accident date.
Contact a Seasoned Charlotte Bicycle Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
You may deserve significant compensation if you were injured in a bicycle accident. Your attorney’s skill and reputation will make a huge difference in the amount you take home. To learn more about how we can put nearly 200 years of experience to work for you, call Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers to speak with a Charlotte bicycle accident lawyer today.
Contact our law office to schedule a free consultation.