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After a South Carolina bicycle accident, you can protect your rights by getting medical attention and collecting evidence of your losses. Bicycle accidents can cause serious injuries and a family member’s passing in worse cases. Our lawyers can answer questions about all kinds of bicycle accident losses.
Our team could help you hold the at-fault party responsible. You could recover money to pay your medical bills and other costs related to your injury.
What To Do If You’ve Been in a Bicycle Accident in South Carolina
You can protect yourself and your case after a bicycle accident. Perform the following actions:
Seek Medical Attention
Your health must be your priority. If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident, get medical help immediately. While some injuries don’t just show symptoms right away, it’s good to get yourself checked by a doctor to avoid future problems.
Getting medical help also helps you keep track of all your medical expenses, which will help your attorney calculate your recoverable damages for your medical bills.
Call the Police
The police will conduct a minor investigation and write a report supporting your injury claim. The police could also help keep the situation calm between the involved vehicle operators.
Gather Evidence
If possible, collect the contact information of all the witnesses at the scene before they walk away. It’s challenging to locate witnesses after the fact. You can also take photographs of the accident scene and any physical injuries or property damage.
Notify Your Insurance Company
Review your insurance policy to see if it covers bicycle accidents. Notify the provider of the accident and ask any questions you have.
Meet With a Bicycle Accident Lawyer
A personal injury lawyer can help you find justice and protect your rights. Most initial consultations are free, so it’s always a good idea to speak with legal professionals to discuss your legal options.
Who Is at Fault for a Bicycle Accident in South Carolina?
Many bicycle accidents in South Carolina happen due to recklessness and negligence. To prove negligence, a bicyclist must prove that:
- The driver owed the bicyclist a duty of care
- The driver failed to exercise a reasonable degree of care
- The careless behavior caused an accident
- The bicyclist suffered injuries in this accident
However, not all accidents are caused by motor vehicle drivers. Other responsible parties may include:
- Other bicyclists
- Pedestrians
- Municipalities
- Manufacturers
According to South Carolina comparative fault doctrine imposed by S.C. Ann. § 15-3-530, both the bicyclist and motor vehicle driver could be at fault for an accident. This means that their percentage of fault reduces the plaintiff’s damages. If the plaintiff is considered more than 50% at fault for the accident, the law doesn’t allow the plaintiff to recover any damages.
Your South Carolina Bicycle Accident Could Entitle You to Damages
Your accident-related losses could allow you to file a claim or lawsuit. Some recoverable damages include:
- Medical costs and related care expenses
- Lost wages, income, and benefits
- Reduced wage capacity
- Pain and suffering
- Property damage
If a family member died in a bicycle accident, you could recover wrongful death damages. Our attorneys can help you recover compensation for burial and funeral costs, loss of services, and intangible losses.
Our South Carolina bicycle accident attorneys strive to provide legal representation for victims of accidents. You could recover damages regardless of your losses, but many of the injuries we see associated with these accidents include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones and fractures
- Soft tissue damage
What You Should Know About South Carolina Bicycle Accidents
The South Carolina Department of Public Safety reports that bicycle fatalities consisted of almost one-third of all state-wide traffic fatalities in 2019. The car driver could claim the bicyclist pulled out or swerved in front of the driver, which might not be the case.
After a bicycle accident, the bicyclist’s priority is to seek medical attention. The driver might take advantage of the bicyclist’s absence when the police officers begin taking statements and testify against them.
Talk to Our South Carolina Bicycle Accident Legal Team Today!
At George Sink, P.A. Injury Lawyers, we work hard to protect the rights of injured people in South Carolina. Our attorneys are always ready to get a fair settlement for you from the insurance company or take your case to court if need be.
We understand how financially and emotionally straining accident injuries can be to you and your family. We are ready to handle your case as you focus on healing. Contact us for a free consultation.