Bicycles are a great way to exercise, and using one instead of a car can be helpful to both traffic and the environment. Cyclists deserve to be able to use their chosen form of transportation safely and securely, but this does not always happen. Many drivers do not adequately watch out for or share the road with cyclists, which can result in collisions and cause significant injuries to cyclists.
When you are involved in a wreck because a driver did not pay attention or observe the proper rules of the road, you should consider working with an experienced personal injury attorney. A Greenville bicycle accident lawyer could help you protect and assert your legal right to receive fair compensation for your injuries.
Several state laws acknowledge the importance of protecting people on bicycles and their interactions with other drivers, including:
These rules are intended to deter bad behavior from drivers rather than to compensate cyclists when they are injured. However, a Greenville attorney who regularly represents injured cyclists after wrecks may be able to use violations of these rules as evidence of the other driver’s negligence and support the bicyclist’s right to compensation through a personal injury claim.
Per South Carolina Code of Laws Section 15-3-530, any claim for personal injury must be filed within three years of the date the injury occurred. When an injured cyclist files a lawsuit after this deadline, the suit may be dismissed, and the cyclist’s options to recover compensation will be severely limited.
Although three years may seem like a long time, determining whether a cyclist has a good claim, investigating the accident, preparing legal arguments, and calculating the full extent of the cyclist’s damages often takes a long time. Therefore, it is best to consult with a Greenville attorney who represents cyclists injured in crashes as soon as possible. The longer an injured person takes to start the process, the more likely eyewitnesses and evidence relating to the crash will be difficult to find, and connecting the cyclist’s injuries to the crash may be more difficult as well.
Receiving a serious injury can be a stressful, trying experience. In addition to the physical recovery, these types of injuries often come with a variety of logistical and administrative burdens, not to mention costs. When another person causes your injury through careless actions, you should not have to bear these things on your own.
A Greenville bicycle accident lawyer could help you investigate the wreck, identify the responsible party, and calculate the compensation you may be entitled to. Even when you are not sure a lawsuit is necessary, schedule a free consultation today to learn more about your available options.
864-740-8540 