Were you or a family member involved in a bicycle accident in Edgefield County, South Carolina? You could be entitled to compensation for your medical care, lost earnings, and suffering. But no matter how straightforward your case seems, insurance companies and other opposing parties will fight you every step of the way.
That’s why you need a skilled legal representative advocating for your best interests. The Edgefield County bicycle accident lawyers at Hawk Law Group are here when you need us most. Our legal team has over 71 years of combined experience, and we’ve won hundreds of millions of dollars for our injured clients.
While you focus on recovering from your bicycle injuries, let our personal injury lawyers in Edgefield County, SC fight for you. Contact our law firm online today to schedule a free consultation to discuss your bicycle crash and the compensation you can seek for your damages.
How Hawk Law Group Can Help After a Bicycle Accident in Edgefield County, SC
South Carolina bicycle accidents often leave bikers with debilitating injuries that put them out of work for weeks or months. At the same time, medical bills and other living expenses may be piling up.
Luckily, you don’t have to worry about how you’ll afford an attorney during this difficult time. Our Edgefield County personal injury attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, meaning you owe no upfront fees to retain exceptional legal services.
If you hire our law office to help you with your bicycle accident claim, rest assured that we’ll:
- Investigate what caused your bicycle crash and anyone who may be liable for your damages
- Gather evidence as we build and value your case
- Negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf and handle your insurance claims from start to finish
- Consult leading experts, including medical specialists, accident reconstructionists, and financial advisors if necessary
- Take your bicycle accident case to trial if it’s in your best interest
Don’t try to handle your personal injury case alone. Let our experienced lawyers in Edgefield County advocate for you to ensure you receive the best possible outcome. Contact us today to schedule a free initial consultation to get the legal advice you deserve. We’ll discuss creating an attorney-client relationship and the benefits you can expect.
How Common Are Bicycle Accidents in South Carolina?
South Carolina is consistently one of the worst states in the nation regarding bicycle fatality rates. According to a June 2022 report released by the NHTSA, South Carolina’s 2020 cyclist fatality rate ranks around #16 in the country at 0.27 fatalities per 100,000 people. It’s only slightly below the national average, which is 0.28.
South Carolina had 14 bicyclist fatalities in 2020, which accounted for 1.3% of the state’s total motor vehicle deaths.
To address the high rate of cyclist deaths and injuries in the state, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) implemented the Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Action Plan (PBSAP) in May 2022.
The PBSAP report acknowledges that bicycle fatalities rose by 155% from 2009 to 2019 in SC. It introduces different countermeasures that can improve bicycle safety, such as creating bicycle infrastructure, educating cyclists on biking safely, and enforcing South Carolina bicycle laws.
What Causes Most Bicycle Crashes in Edgefield County, SC?
While various things can cause a bicycle crash, negligence – or carelessness – is the most common culprit.
Some frequent causes of bicycle collisions in Edgefield County include:
- Biker or driver distraction
- Speeding
- Driver fatigue
- Failure to share the road with bicyclists
- Lack of dedicated bicycle lanes and infrastructure
- Impaired driving (DUI)
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Passing too closely
- Dooring
- Aggressive driving
- Defective auto or bicycle parts
- Poor visibility
- Potholes and other road defects
Other causes of these accidents include a lack of reflective gear or lights while cycling at night and adverse weather conditions. We can help you identify the cause(s) of your wreck as we build your claim.
What Is My Edgefield County Bicycle Accident Case Worth?
Car accidents involving bicycles often result in catastrophic injuries to bicyclists. And typically, the more severe the injuries, the more a bicycle accident case will be worth.
While it’s difficult to give an exact dollar figure without knowing the specifics of your situation, the following factors will be essential in valuing your case:
- The types of injuries you suffered, their severity, and how they impact your life
- The medical bills, lost wages, and out-of-pocket costs you have incurred
- Whether you’re able to work
- Whether you’re able to work in the same capacity as before your bike crash
- Whether you share fault for causing the bike wreck
- The parties involved
- The physical pain and suffering you’ve endured and how it affects your quality of life
- Your emotional trauma
- Whether you’ve suffered a permanent disability or impairment due to the bike accident
We’ll collect and evaluate evidence to determine the full extent of your damages.
What Compensation Is Available for Bicycle Accident Victims in Edgefield County, SC?
Edgefield County bicycle accident victims can seek compensation from the at-fault party for their financial (economic) losses and personal (non-economic) losses.
Economic damages cover the losses that have a demonstrable monetary value, such as:
- Medical expenses
- Future medical costs, including rehabilitative care
- Lost income and diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
- Out-of-pocket expenses, such as custodial care and household services
Non-economic damages include the difficult-to-value losses you incur after a bicycle accident, including:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Emotional distress
- Disfigurement
- Physical impairment
- Inconvenience
- Loss of companionship
Under South Carolina law, plaintiffs can also request punitive damages. The plaintiff must prove by clear and convincing evidence that the defendant acted willfully, recklessly, or wantonly in causing the bicycle accident to receive punitive damages. Punitive damages penalize defendants for bad conduct to deter others from engaging in similar behavior.
What Are Common Injuries Sustained in Bicycle Accidents?
Bicyclists are vulnerable to injuries if they’re struck by a motor vehicle.
Our Edgefield County bicycle accident attorneys have helped victims who have sustained all types of harm, including:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Broken bones
- Knee injuries
- Wrist injuries
- Road rash
- Neck injuries
- Back injuries
- Internal organ damage, such as a ruptured spleen
- Amputations
- Spinal cord damage
- Paralysis
- Soft tissue damage
- Eye injuries and other facial injuries
- Chest injuries
- Crushing injuries
- And more
No matter how severe your injuries are, you may need assistance with the costs of your medical treatment and other damages. Contact our personal injury law firm today to get the help you need.
How Do I Prove Negligence After a Bicycle Accident in South Carolina?
Negligence is failing to exercise reasonable caution, causing harm to another person.
The elements of negligence are:
- Duty of care: All motorists owe a duty of care to everyone sharing the road – including bicyclists – to drive safely and follow traffic laws
- Breach of duty: If a motorist fails to uphold their duty of care, they’ve breached it
- Causation: The motorist’s actions must have directly and proximately caused your injuries
- Damages: You must have suffered damages (e.g., injuries, property damage, etc.) as a result of the defendant’s breach of duty
You prove each element by gathering evidence – including medical records, photos, videos, witness statements, etc. Our bicycle accident attorneys in Edgefield County will help you build a strong negligence case.
What If I’m Blamed for My Bicycle Accident in Edgefield County, South Carolina?
South Carolina follows a modified comparative negligence rule that bars plaintiffs from recovering compensation if they’re more than 50% to blame for a bicycle accident. If you’re less than 51% to blame for the bike crash, your awarded damages are reduced proportionately to your level of fault.
For example, you’re found to be 20% responsible for a bicycle collision. You can only take home 80% of your awarded compensation. Now assume you’re assigned 52% of the blame. In that case, you’re barred from any monetary award.
Contact our personal injury lawyers immediately if you’re being blamed for a bicycle accident in Edgefield County, SC. This is a common tactic insurance companies and opposing parties use to reduce (or eliminate) their financial responsibility. We’ll fight back to ensure they don’t take advantage of you.
How Long Do I Have To File a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit in South Carolina?
South Carolina has a statute of limitations that gives bicycle accident victims a specific timeframe in which they must file an action. If you were injured, you have three years from the accident date to file a personal injury case. If you lost a loved one in a bicycle accident, you have three years from their date of death to file a wrongful death claim.
There may be exceptions to the three-year deadline, depending on the parties involved. Don’t let the timeline run out, or you’ll lose your right to hold the at-fault party responsible for your damages.
Schedule a Free Case Evaluation With Our Edgefield County Bicycle Accident Lawyers
If you’re suffering from injuries after a bicycle accident in Edgefield County, SC, let the attorneys at Hawk Law Group help you with your personal injury claim. We’ll handle the heavy lifting while you focus on recovering.
Collectively, our legal team has over 71 years of experience, and we know how to get our clients the compensation they deserve after devastating accidents. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation, and we’ll discuss your legal options.
