Getting around on a bicycle has become extremely popular in Rock Hill and communities throughout South Carolina. Unfortunately, it is not always a safe activity. Motorists often fail to respect the rights of cyclists and share the road safely with them, and they cause collisions that can result in a bicycle accident that has life-changing injuries for cyclists.
At the law firm of McKinney, Tucker & Lemel, LLC, our South Carolina personal injury attorneys aggressively protect the rights of cyclists. If a careless or reckless motorist injured you while you were biking, we will provide the focused, responsive, straightforward, and dedicated legal representation that you need. Above all, we will fight for all compensation that you are entitled to receive for your personal injury. Contact our law offices today for a consultation and learn more about how our Rock Hill bicycle accident lawyers can assist you.
What are the Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Rock Hill?
Most bicycle accidents in Rock Hill result from the negligence of car and truck drivers. Our personal injury attorneys at McKinney, Tucker & Lemel, LLC, often work with cyclists who were hurt in accidents that involved:
- Distracted driving – If a driver is texting, talking on a phone, or interacting with passengers instead of looking at the road, the distracted driver may fail to see a cyclist.
- Impaired driving – When a driver consumes drugs or alcohol, the driver can quickly lose the judgment and physical ability to share the road safely with others.
- Failing to check mirrors – Drivers can also fail to see cyclists if they don’t look in their mirrors before turning or pulling out of a driveway or parking spot.
- Failing to yield the right of way – Motorists often crash into cyclists when they fail to yield to them at intersections as the law requires.
- Passing too closely – South Carolina law requires motorists to leave at least three feet of space when they pass cyclists. When they fail to follow this law, motorists can collide with cyclists or run them off the road.
- Dooring – When drivers open their car doors without checking to see if a cyclist is approaching, the cyclist can slam into the door and suffer severe injuries.
If a car or truck driver caused your bicycle accident, then you owe it to yourself to learn about your rights and the options available to you for recovering maximum compensation. Get in touch with the law firm of McKinney, Tucker & Lemel, LLC, to learn more.
What Compensation Is Available for Bike Accident Victims in Rock Hill?
Several different types of damages may be available in a bicycle accident claim. If you were hurt in a Rock Hill, South Carolina bicycle accident, you could be eligible to recover compensation for:
- Medical costs – It is important to pursue compensation for past expenses as well as medical costs that you will incur in the future due to the need for rehabilitation and other ongoing treatment.
- Lost wages – Due to your injuries, you may be unable to work for a long period of time. Many bicycle crash victims cannot go back to work at all or return to their old job. Either of these contributes to a lost income.
- Pain and suffering – These damages are available to compensate for the physical pain and suffering that a bicycle accident causes you to experience.
- Emotional distress – Bike accidents may cause you to suffer emotional trauma, which can be as debilitating as any physical injury.
- Loss of enjoyment of life – If your injuries prevent you from enjoying the activities that you once loved, you can pursue compensation for that loss.
Under South Carolina’s modified comparative negligence law, your compensation can be reduced if you are found to have contributed to your injuries. For instance, if you are found to be 20 percent at fault, your compensation would be reduced by 20 percent. If you are more than 50 percent at fault, you would be barred from recovering any compensation for your losses.
Insurance companies often try to use this law to deny or minimize the amount which bike accident victims recover in personal injury claims. However, at McKinney, Tucker & Lemel, LLC, you can count on us to vigorously challenge any unfounded insurance company attempts to shift the blame for your crash to you.
