Have you been hurt in a bicycle accident in Raleigh, North Carolina? Call Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers at (919) 876-3020 to find out how we can help your case.
You may be entitled to significant financial compensation for your medical bills, lost income, and other damages. When careless drivers fail to share the road, cyclists face the risk of life-changing injuries.
Our firm knows how devastating a bicycle crash can be. Our Raleigh personal injury attorneys have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for injury victims across North Carolina (see disclaimer below). We are ready to fight for your rights, too.
Contact us today for a free consultation with a trusted Raleigh bicycle accident lawyer. With our contingency fee arrangement, you don’t pay unless we win your case.
Why Choose Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers After a Bicycle Accident in Raleigh, NC?
When your health, your finances, and your future are on the line, experience matters. Serious injuries and comparative fault can make bicycle accident claims complex in Raleigh, NC. You need a Raleigh personal injury lawyer with the resources and experience to take on negligent drivers and their insurance companies.
At Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, our reputation is built on results:
- $850+ million recovered for injury victims throughout North Carolina (see disclaimer below)
- 190+ years combined experience handling complex personal injury claims
- A team known for aggressive representation and award-winning client service (see disclaimer below)
- Personalized legal strategies tailored to your unique situation
- A track record of success in both settlement negotiations and the courtroom
We know the tactics insurance companies use to reduce payouts or shift blame onto the injured cyclist. Our attorneys will protect your rights and put you in a position to recover full compensation for your claim.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Raleigh bicycle accident attorney.
How Much Is My Bicycle Accident Case Worth?
No two bicycle accident cases are the same. A lawyer will have to analyze the facts of your situation before estimating your claim’s worth.
The value of your claim depends on several factors, including:
- The severity of your injuries and whether they are permanent
- The total cost of your medical treatment, both current and future
- Lost income and reduced earning capacity if you can’t return to work
- The impact of the accident on your daily life and ability to enjoy activities
- Pain, suffering, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life
- Property damage, including repair or replacement of your bicycle and gear
- Scarring, disfigurement, or permanent disability
- Whether you share any blame for your accident
- Available insurance coverage
- In fatal cases, wrongful death damages for surviving family members
Our Raleigh bicycle accident lawyers work with experts in many disciplines to help calculate the actual value of your losses. We aim to recover every dollar you need to make you whole again after the crash.
What Damages Can You Recover After a Raleigh Bicycle Accident?
In North Carolina, injury victims can generally pursue compensation for economic and non-economic damages.
Combined, these damages are meant to make you whole by providing money for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Physical therapy, rehabilitation, and long-term care
- Lost wages and diminished earning potential
- Pain, suffering, and emotional distress
- Loss of enjoyment of life or hobbies
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Property damage to your bicycle and gear
- Wrongful death damages, including funeral expenses and loss of companionship
Rare cases involving extreme misconduct may qualify for punitive damages to punish the at-fault party.
Our legal team will help you document every aspect of your losses and pursue the necessary compensation.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Raleigh?
Most bicycle accident lawyers in Raleigh work on a contingency fee basis. Here’s what that means for you:
You pay nothing upfront to hire an attorney. Additionally, your legal team covers all costs for investigating and building your case. You only pay legal fees if your attorney recovers money for you through a settlement or verdict (see disclaimer below). These fees will be a pre-agreed-upon percentage of your settlement or verdict (usually 33% to 40%).
If your case isn’t successful, you owe nothing for legal services. This system ensures access to legal representation regardless of your financial situation.
Our firm generally offers free consultations in all personal injury claims, which include bicycle accident cases. These meetings allow you to discuss your case, understand your rights, and explore your options risk-free.
Can You Recover Compensation if You Share Fault for a Raleigh Bicycle Crash?
It’s not likely, because North Carolina follows a strict contributory fault rule. This means that if you are found to be even 1% at fault for the accident, you could be barred from recovering any compensation.
Insurance companies often try to exploit this rule by shifting blame onto the injured cyclist by claiming:
- You weren’t wearing a helmet (even though helmets are only legally required for cyclists under 16 in NC).
- You were riding outside a designated bike lane.
- You failed to follow traffic signals or signs.
- You didn’t use proper lights or reflective gear at night.
These arguments don’t automatically bar you from recovery and are not always legitimate. However, they highlight why experienced legal representation is essential. Our Raleigh bicycle accident attorneys will protect your rights and challenge unfair blame tactics that threaten your compensation.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation for All of Your Bicycle Accident Injuries in Raleigh, NC
Bicyclists are especially vulnerable in collisions with motor vehicles. Without the protection of a vehicle frame, airbags, or seat belts, cyclists often suffer catastrophic injuries, even at low speeds.
Common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Fractures and broken bones
- Soft tissue injuries
- Road rash and severe lacerations.
- Internal injuries
- Facial injuries and dental trauma
- Wrongful death
Severe bicycle accidents may leave victims facing months or years of medical treatment. If you suffered these or other injuries, you have rights. Our Raleigh personal injury lawyers can work to ensure your compensation reflects the full scope of your injuries and future needs. Reach out to us today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your rights.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Raleigh
Raleigh is home to hundreds of miles of bike lanes and greenways, including popular routes like the Neuse River Trail and sections of the Capital Area Greenway. But despite improvements in cycling infrastructure, serious bicycle accidents still occur across Wake County.
Raleigh has seen an uptick in bicycle accidents in recent years, mirroring statewide trends. According to North Carolina Department of Transportation data, Raleigh saw 50 bicycle crashes, including one fatality and 49 injuries, in one recent year.
Most bike crashes happen because of preventable driver negligence, including:
- Distracted driving: Using a cellphone, GPS, or other devices while driving often results in motorists failing to see cyclists in time to avoid collisions.
- Failure to yield: Drivers frequently overlook cyclists at intersections, crosswalks, or when merging.
- Unsafe turns: Vehicles making left or right turns can cut off cyclists traveling straight, resulting in high-impact crashes.
- “Dooring” incidents: Parked drivers opening vehicle doors into the path of an oncoming cyclist can cause serious injury.
- Speeding: Excessive speed reduces reaction time and increases the severity of crashes, especially in residential neighborhoods or areas near schools.
- Impaired driving: Alcohol or drug impairment greatly increases the risk of causing a collision with a cyclist.
- Poor visibility: Failing to use headlights at night, cycling without proper lighting, or low visibility in bad weather can lead to tragic accidents.
An experienced Raleigh bicycle accident lawyer can help you identify every factor that contributed to your crash and help you hold the at-fault parties fully liable.
How Long Do You Have to File a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in North Carolina?
The legal deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit is known as the statute of limitations. In North Carolina, injury victims are usually given three years from the date of the accident to file any claims. You may only have two years from the date of death for wrongful death claims.
If you fail to file within these time limits, you could lose your right to pursue compensation in court, no matter how strong your case is. Some exceptions may apply in unique circumstances.
It’s essential to consult a Raleigh bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. Prompt action will help you avoid issues with the statute of limitations.
Contact a Raleigh Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today for Help
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident in Raleigh, you may be facing physical pain, emotional distress, and financial uncertainty. You don’t have to wait to take action.
At Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, we have nearly 200 years of combined experience helping injury victims throughout North Carolina, and our results speak for themselves. We have recovered hundreds of millions for people harmed by negligent drivers and defendants (see disclaimer below).
We know how to stand up to insurance companies and fight for every dollar you deserve. Contact us today for a free consultation with an experienced Raleigh bicycle accident lawyer.