Asheville Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Representing Bicycle Accident Victims In Asheville

All too often, cars, trucks and other vehicle drivers forget that others also use the road. When drivers fail to look out for bicyclists, traumatic accidents can occur. Given the size difference, bike riders on the road are at a distinct disadvantage and can suffer severe injuries. If you have been hit by a car while riding your bike, you need to consult an Asheville bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible to discuss your options for legal recourse.

Legal Advocacy Following Bicycle Accidents

At the Asheville, North Carolina, office of Ganly & Ramer, P.L.L.C., our bicycle accident attorneys are prepared to fight for maximum damages on behalf of bike accident victims following accidents with cars and other vehicles. After an accident, you and your family are faced with the overwhelming task of recovering and making ends meet in the process. During this time, you need someone on your side advocating for you and fighting to ensure you have the money you need for recovery. We are committed to being that hand of help that you need.

We will work with a trusted network of medical professionals and doctors to evaluate your injury, and the cost of recovery and rehabilitation. We also take into account the amount of wages you will lose at work while recovering from your injury. Our goal is to help you recover the maximum compensation possible for your injuries in the shortest possible time frame by exploring all your available avenues of legal recourse.

Some of the most common bicycle injuries include:

• Traumatic brain injury
• Broken bones
• Neck and spinal cord injuries
• Blunt force trauma
• Severe falls and being thrown
• Lacerations and abrasions (road rash)

As you focus on recovering from these serious injuries, we carry the legal burden of recovering compensation and ensuring that your bills are paid and that you and your family are provided for. Success with your recovery efforts will require that you prove fault for the accident. This means identifying the driver who hit you and proving that their negligence or intentional misconduct behind the wheel directly caused your claimed damages.

Recovering From a Bicycle Accident in Asheville

The recovery process from a bicycle accident in Asheville is likely to mirror what you would expect after most other types of vehicle accidents. North Carolina considers bicycle accidents as vehicle accidents, and the state enforces the fault rule for resolving all vehicle accident claims. This means an injured victim will need to provide proof of who is liable for their accident before recovering compensation for their losses, and the at-fault party will be responsible for those losses.

Your first step in recovery from a bicycle accident will be to file a claim with the auto insurance policy of the driver at fault. Every driver must have this insurance and have coverage that meets the state’s minimum coverage requirements. Dealing with insurance companies can be challenging, but having an Asheville bicycle accident lawyer assist you will make this process much easier.

Your attorney can help you gather all of the documentation you need to submit to an insurance carrier after your accident. The insurance company is legally required to investigate your claim and issue a settlement offer in a timely manner. Unfortunately, some insurance companies attempt to take advantage of injured claimants, hoping to compel them to accept lowball settlement offers.

An Asheville bicycle accident lawyer can help you resolve your insurance claim quickly and ensure that you are treated fairly by the insurance company. Insurance company representatives will be more hesitant to attempt bad faith tactics when they see a claimant has legal counsel. However, even if you maximize your settlement, this may not fully cover all of your claimable losses.

Building a Personal Injury Case in Asheville

If insurance cannot fully cover your damages or if the at-fault driver does not have insurance, you will need to file a personal injury suit to recover your damages. Success with any personal injury claim in North Carolina requires the plaintiff to prove the defendant is solely and entirely responsible for the damages cited in the claim. The plaintiff must leverage all available evidence to show their damages would not have occurred but for the defendant’s actions.

Success with a personal injury suit in Asheville may yield several forms of compensation. North Carolina’s personal injury laws allow an injured plaintiff to seek compensation for monetary losses they suffered because of someone else’s negligence or illegal misconduct. These economic losses may include property damage, medical expenses, and lost wages. The injured party can also pursue compensation for their projected future losses.

Bicycle accidents have a high chance of resulting in catastrophic injuries, some of which may leave victims permanently disabled. This could mean they need ongoing medical treatment and rehabilitation, and they could also be unable to work while they recover. Your Asheville bicycle accident lawyer can help you accurately calculate these anticipated future damages and add them to your claim.

Personal injury laws in North Carolina also allow plaintiffs to pursue compensation for pain and suffering. The amount a plaintiff may claim will depend on the overall severity of the harm they suffered and whether they sustained any permanent effects from the accident. Ganly & Ramer, P.L.L.C. has successfully secured many substantial case awards for past clients, and we do everything we can to maximize our client’s recovery in every case we accept.

FAQs

Q: How Do I Prove Fault for a Bicycle Accident in Asheville?

A: Proving fault for a bicycle accident in Asheville may require several forms of evidence you may not be able to secure on your own. Your Asheville bicycle accident lawyer can help you secure traffic camera footage, cell phone data, vehicle computer data, and statements from witnesses who saw your accident happen. You must identify the driver who hit you and prove they are entirely responsible for the incident to secure compensation for your damages.

Q: What Happens if I Partially Caused My Bicycle Accident?

A: If you partially caused your bicycle accident, you will be unable to claim compensation for your damages from any other liable party. North Carolina enforces a contributory negligence law, meaning if a plaintiff shares any level of fault for the cause of the accident, they lose the right to seek compensation from any other liable party. This rule applies even if the plaintiff was only slightly at fault for the accident.

Q: How Much Can I Claim in Compensation for a Bicycle Accident?

A: The amount you can claim in compensation for a bicycle accident will depend on the overall severity of your damages and whether you suffered any permanent harm from the accident. North Carolina law allows a personal injury victim to seek compensation for their property losses, medical expenses, lost income, projected future damages, and their pain and suffering. They will need to prove that the defendant directly caused their damages in order to collect compensation.

Q: How Long Do I Have to File a Bicycle Accident Claim in Asheville?

A: The amount of time you have to file a bicycle accident claim in Asheville is dictated by the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in North Carolina. For most personal injury cases, the statute of limitations is three years from the date the injury occurred. If you do not file your claim within this time frame, you lose your chance to claim compensation for your damages.

Q: What Are the Costs of an Asheville Bicycle Accident Lawyer?

A: The cost of an Asheville bicycle accident lawyer may not be as much as you might expect if you choose Ganly & Ramer, P.L.L.C. to represent you. We work with our personal injury clients on a contingency fee system, meaning our clients do not have to pay upfront fees and only pay our firm if we win their case. Our contingency fee will be a percentage of whatever compensation we win on their behalf.

Contact Our Bike Injury Lawyers Now

If you or a loved one has been injured while riding along the side of the road, call our firm today at 828-844-5274 or use our email contact form to schedule your free consultation. These cases are handled on a contingency fee basis, meaning that you do not pay attorneys’ fees or case preparation costs if we do not recover compensation for you.