If you or a family member suffered injuries in a bicycle accident in Winston-Salem, NC, the at-fault party may owe you compensation. Call an experienced Winston-Salem bicycle accident lawyer at Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers today at (336)-516-9042 to learn about your rights to damages.
If you were injured in an accident, count on us to help you hold the responsible party accountable. With over 190 years of combined experience, we have the skills you need to handle your case. Our Winston-Salem bicycle accident attorneys can help you maximize your compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other accident-related losses.
To learn more, contact our law offices in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to schedule a free consultation today.
Why Choose Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers for Help After a Bicycle Accident in Winston-Salem?
Our Winston-Salem personal injury attorneys at Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers bring vast experience to your case. Over the years, we’ve recovered over $850 million in settlements and jury verdicts for injury victims.
We know how to deal with insurance companies and their seemingly endless requests for information. Once insurance companies see that our team is involved, they tend to change their tone. They know we have a proven track record of winning and that they’ll have to deal in good faith.
Some other reasons to hire us include:
- Over 1,500 five-star Google reviews from satisfied clients
- Super Lawyers recognition
- An AV-Preeminent Martindale-Hubbell lawyer rating
- “Top 100” designation from The National Trial Lawyers
Our award-winning Winston-Salem personal injury lawyers are more than ready to help you pursue just compensation. Contact us today to learn more about our experience, resources, and how we can help you win your case.
What is My Winston-Salem Bicycle Accident Case Worth?
When it comes to valuation in personal injury cases, the following factors are the most important to consider:
- The severity of the victim’s injuries
- The cost of medical care
- Whether the victim will suffer any long-term or permanent disability
- The amount of earnings lost during recovery
- Reasonably expected impacts on the victim’s future earning capacity
- Anticipated future costs for medical care, rehabilitation, assistance, medications, etc.
- Lifestyle changes and damage to the victim’s quality of life
- Damage to the victim’s mental health
- Whether North Carolina’s shared fault law is a legitimate impediment
- The strength of the evidence on both sides
The compensation you recover will depend entirely on your situation. That said, one thing is always true: you shouldn’t make the mistake of thinking the initial insurance offer is fair. The insurance company is out to make money. They profit by convincing accident victims to accept less than they deserve.
Our experienced bicycle accident lawyers in Winston-Salem can offer more details about your case value in a free consultation. We know how the insurance companies work–and how to help you get a fair deal after an injury.
What Types of Compensatory Damages Are Available to Bicycle Accident Victims in Winston-Salem?
North Carolina personal injury laws divide compensatory damages into two primary buckets: economic and non-economic.
Your financial losses are your economic damages, including:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Reduced earning potential
- Physical therapy
- Skilled nursing care
- Modifications to your home and vehicle
- Assistance with household needs
- Property damage
Your economic damages award should make you “whole” again. Any expense or cost you’ve incurred solely due to the accident and injury should be included.
Non-economic damages, while more difficult to quantify, are equally important.
Examples of these more personal losses include:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental trauma
- Anxiety
- Depression
- PTSD
- Diminished quality of life
- Physical disfigurement and scarring
- Loss of consortium
Many victims ask about punitive damages. As in most states, punitive damages are rare in North Carolina. They are typically available in cases where the defendant’s acts are so shocking that punishment is appropriate.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Personal Injury Lawyer to Handle a Bicycle Accident Case in North Carolina?
Our legal team is available on a contingency fee basis. When you hire Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, you’ll sign a contingency fee agreement. You don’t pay anything upfront for our services under this agreement.
If we win your case, you’ll pay us the percentage of your settlement or verdict that is included in your agreement. Typically, our fees range from 33% to 40%, depending on how difficult your case is.
Can North Carolina’s Contributory Fault Laws Impact the Value of My Bicycle Accident Claim?
North Carolina's strict contributory fault laws can have a huge impact on your case. In most states, you can recover some compensation if you share partial fault for an accident.
North Carolina’s rule is much harsher. You may lose your right to damages entirely if you share even a small percentage of fault. If someone is trying to pin the blame on you—and you should expect the other side to blame you—call an experienced attorney to start defending you immediately.
Our Bicycle Accident Attorneys in Winston-Salem Handle All Types of Injury Claims
Even with a helmet, cyclists are vulnerable to a variety of serious and even life-threatening injuries.
At Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers, we often represent injured cyclists who have suffered:
- Broken bones
- Burns and road rash
- Concussions
- Dislocations
- Shoulder injuries
- Sprains, ligament tears, and other soft tissue damage
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Head and neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Nerve damage
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Amputations
- Paralysis
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one
Even if you’re expected to recover, these and other injuries can cause significant damage to your life. You’re likely to start racking up expenses at a shocking rate. Our lawyers are here to step in and start fighting to hold the at-fault party accountable today. Contact us to schedule a free consultation to learn more.
How Common Are Bicycle Accidents in North Carolina?
According to a recent annual report prepared by the North Carolina Department of Transportation, 730 bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles occurred during 2023.
When a car strikes a bicyclist, injuries are almost inevitable. Out of the 730 bike accidents reported in 2023, 704 non-fatal injuries were reported. Unfortunately, 18 victims lost their lives. That means nearly 99% of all bicycle accidents reported resulted in an injury or fatality.
Twenty-four traffic accidents involving bicycles were reported in Winston-Salem alone. Twenty-six people were injured in those crashes. Fortunately, no victims lost their lives.
What Are the Leading Causes of Most Bicycle Accidents in Winston-Salem?
For the most part, bicycle accidents are caused by driver negligence or error, such as:
- Distracted driving
- Texting while driving
- Failure to yield the right-of-way
- Speeding
- Veering into a bike lane
- Aggressive driving
- Dangerous left-hand turns
- Racing through intersections
- Running a red light or stop sign
- Drunk driving
- Fatigued drivers
- Drug use
Dangerous road conditions can also lead to an accident. While Winston-Salem has an extensive system of bike lanes, a lack of dedicated infrastructure to protect cyclists always makes accidents more likely.
Accidents happen quickly. It’s entirely okay if you aren’t sure why your accident occurred. The accident report may not be enough to prove liability in any case. Our lawyers have the resources to get to the bottom of things and determine why your injuries occurred–and who was liable.
What Is Negligence and Why Is Negligence Important After a Bicycle Accident in North Carolina?
Negligence is the root cause of most bike accidents. In plain terms, negligence is a failure to exercise reasonable caution under the circumstances. Courts use a “reasonable person” standard to determine whether the defendant’s acts were sufficient to satisfy their duty of care.
In legal terms, negligence means:
- The at-fault driver owed you a duty of care
- By some careless or reckless act or omission, they breached their duty
- That breach directly caused your accident
- You can point to specific damages you suffered as a result
While it’s possible that additional legal theories can be relevant in your case, negligence is by far the most common in accident cases.
Proving the other party was negligent is important because it’s how you hold them accountable. You should also expect that the at-fault driver will be searching for ways to prove that your own negligence also contributed to the crash.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Bicycle Accident in North Carolina?
The statute of limitations in North Carolina is typically three years for most personal injury victims. You have three years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit–or lose your right to seek compensation.
In wrongful death cases, you usually have two years from the date of your loved one’s death to file a wrongful death lawsuit.
While it’s possible that a different time limit could apply, waiting isn’t worth the risk. You let the at-fault party off the hook entirely if you wait too long to take legal action.
Contact an Experienced Winston-Salem Bicycle Accident Lawyer for a Free Consultation
Were you hit by a car while riding your bike in Winston-Salem? Our team at Riddle & Riddle Injury Lawyers is here to deal with the insurance and legal issues. Contact us today to learn more about how an experienced Winston-Salem bicycle accident lawyer can fight for you.