Bicycle Accident Attorneys in Spartanburg

In South Carolina, 2% of all traffic fatalities are bicyclists, and the number of fatalities has steadily risen over the past decade. South Carolina ranks 46^th in the United States for bicycle and pedestrian fatalities; there are 23.7 fatalities per 10,000 commuters, according to Palmetto Cycling Coalition.

If you’ve been in a bicycle accident in South Carolina, you may be experiencing mild to severe injuries. Plus, you might be out of work and have to repair your bicycle or get a new one. You’re worried about how you’re going to cover your expensive medical bills, fix your bike or buy a new one and make up for your lost wages.

If you relate to any of this, the Mark Nowell Law Firm is here to help. We will work closely with you to thoroughly assess your case and advise you of your legal rights and options. And we will explore every potential legal avenue toward recovering maximum compensation. Contact us today for a free consultation.

What to Do if You’re in a Bicycle Accident

Getting into a bicycle accident is likely going to be much worse than getting into a car accident. In a car, you have airbags, seatbelts and other protection, while you’re incredibly vulnerable just being on a bike.

If you were riding along and you got into a bicycle accident, the first thing to do is call the police and file a report. In this report, make sure you provide information about any injuries you are experiencing. Do this even if the driver insists that it’s not necessary or that the accident is too minor for the police and ambulance to respond. They know that they could be in a lot of trouble for hitting a cyclist, and they may be desperate to minimize the financial damage. But if you want to get the medical treatment you might need and the compensation you are due, you absolutely need an ambulance so you can get looked at, and the police to document the accident.

You should also collect the driver’s information including their name, telephone number and insurance policy number so that you can file a claim. It is a good idea to take a photo of their car and license plate number as well. If they are angry or insist that they don’t have to give you that information, ask the police to intervene. Additionally, you’ll want to get contact information for any witnesses who saw what happened and stopped to offer assistance.

If the driver hit you and drove away, then you should do your best to remember what kind of car they had – including the make, model and color – and write it down right away. Whether the driver fled or not, you should also try to see if there were any witnesses so you can gather their statements. It is a good idea to look for traffic and security cameras around the scene so that you can review the footage. It could possibly support your case and prove the driver was at fault.

Taking pictures is important, too. Along with snapping photos of the driver’s car, take pictures of the entire scene of the accident, your damaged bike and other personal belongings and your injuries.

Getting Medical Help

After you get everything you need, it’s time to go to the hospital. Do a full physical examination and take any tests the doctor orders. You should also do X-rays and possibly get an MRI if it’s necessary just to ensure there are no internal injuries. Take any medicine the doctor prescribes and go to the specialists they refer you to.

It is crucial to do everything your doctor says right away because if you don’t, it could hurt your case. For instance, if you waited to go to the hospital or neglected to go to doctor’s appointments, the defendant’s insurance company could claim that this was a pre-existing injury and/or you did not do enough to mitigate your losses after the accident.

Speaking with the Defendant’s Insurance Company

After your bicycle accident, the defendant’s insurance company is probably going to call you and ask you details about what happened. Don’t give them any information that is not required because their goal is to pay out as little as possible for your injuries.

Even if the settlement offer seems suitable, don’t take it without speaking to an attorney first. Right now, your injuries may not seem serious, but they could get worse over time. You just don’t know how many appointments you’ll have to go to or how much time you’ll have to take off from work. If you accept their settlement now, you may forfeit your right to pursue additional compensation later on.

Covering Your Medical Bills

To cover your bills while you’re waiting for compensation, you could use your own insurance. If you get in touch with the Nowell Law Firm, then we could find medical providers for you and work out a lien to cover your bills until we reach a settlement.

South Carolina’s Statute of Limitations

Keep in mind that the statute of limitations for personal injury claims in South Carolina is three years. This is one of the reasons it is important to get in touch with a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible after the accident occurs. Not only do you want to ensure that you do not run up against the deadline for filing a lawsuit, you also want to involve an attorney early on so that they can go to work immediately to build the strongest possible claim.

Biking Safely in South Carolina

In order to avoid a bicycle accident in South Carolina, it is best to follow these important safety guidelines:

• Wear a helmet. A helmet could protect you from a serious head injury.
• Put lights and reflectors on your bike. This way, if you’re biking at night, cars, other bicyclists and pedestrians will be able to see you.
• Use hand signals. Whenever you’re turning, signal to the other drivers and bicyclists with your hands.
• Obey all traffic laws. Just because you’re on a bike, it doesn’t mean you don’t have to stop at stop signs or red lights. Always follow the law.
• Eliminate distractions. Don’t wear headphones or look at your phone while riding.
• Do regular maintenance on your bike. This will ensure that you can use it properly when you’re on the road.

Contact the Mark Nowell Law Firm Today

If you’ve been involved in a bicycle accident and you are looking for a lawyer who will represent you and work hard to get you a high settlement, contact the Mark Nowell Law Firm today for a free consultation and case assessment. We are ready to go to work for you!