What should you do after a bicycle accident?

After a bicycle accident, it’s important to first get to a safe place to avoid subsequent accidents and further harm. You should call 911 to report the accident to the authorities and request help from emergency medical personnel. Take photos, videos, and written notes to document the bicycle accident scene. If anyone witnessed the accident, ask for their contact details and statements. Provide the required information to responding officers and make sure you know how to receive a copy of the completed report. Undergo an initial examination by emergency medical personnel. Then, see a doctor for a more in-depth examination at a hospital, urgent care facility, or physician’s office. Consult a Charlotte bike injury attorney for help understanding your legal rights and determining whether you have a claim for financial compensation.

What are the most common causes of bicycle accidents?

Cyclists are most likely to get in accidents in places like intersections, parking lots, neighborhoods, and other high-traffic areas. The chances of a bicycle accident are greater on roadways that don’t have bicycle lanes. Among accidents between bikes and motor vehicles, driver negligence is the most common cause of collisions. Drivers must look out for cyclists around them because they do not have as much protection as cars. Drivers’ actions that lead to bicycle accidents include: Failure to see bicyclists Speeding Distracted driving Drunk driving Aggressive driving Impatience Failure to yield Miscommunication Road and property conditions can also contribute to bicycle accidents, whether or not they involve motor vehicles. Examples of hazardous conditions for cyclists include: Potholes Cracked, damaged, or poorly maintained bike lanes or bike paths Irregular road surfaces, such as cobblestones Poorly lit roads and bike paths Unmarked grates, tracks, and other changes in the road surface In some cases, mechanical failures of the bike itself due to factors like design flaws or manufacturing defects can cause bicycle accidents. The cause of your crash matters when you’re seeking compensation for your injuries. Your bicycle accident lawyer in Charlotte, NC, can investigate the incident and begin gathering evidence of the at-fault party’s negligence.

How do you prove fault in a bicycle accident case?

To prove fault in a bicycle accident case, you’re likely to need professional legal help. Proving fault requires you to establish the following: The defendant owed you a duty of care (typically, to drive with reasonable caution or maintain a property or roadway in safe condition) The defendant failed to uphold this duty (such as by driving carelessly or allowing hazardous conditions to exist) This negligence caused the bicycle accident You suffered injuries and resulting damages in the bicycle accident Your bicycle accident lawyer in Charlotte, NC, will conduct a thorough investigation to gather evidence. In addition to the police report and the notes, photos, and videos with which you documented the accident scene, we may: Interview witnesses Seek out any surveillance footage that may have caught the accident on tape Enlist the help of an accident reconstruction specialist or another type of expert witness It’s also important to thoroughly document your damages, a task that the team at Schehr Law PLLC has extensive experience doing successfully.

How long does a bicycle accident claim take?

Although our team makes every effort to move our clients’ cases forward efficiently, getting compensation for a bicycle accident takes time. The simplest claims can sometimes be resolved in a matter of months, but it often takes years to resolve cases that involve extensive injuries or complicated liability. By building a strong case and meticulously documenting your damages from the beginning, Schehr Law PLLC puts your claim on the path to success early on. Throughout the claims process, we’re committed to proactively moving your case forward toward the resolution you deserve.

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Bicycle Accident Lawyer Charlotte Nc

Bicycle Accident Lawyer Charlotte, NC

Charlotte Bike Injury Attorney Protecting Cyclists' Rights in Mecklenburg County, Wake County, Guilford County, and Throughout North Carolina

A bicycle leaves you vulnerable. Never is this fact clearer than when a serious accident occurs. Injured cyclists often wonder what options they have to recover compensation and get their lives back on track. An experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Charlotte, NC, can be the key to identifying all avenues available to you and building a strong case for maximum monetary damages.

Schehr Law PLLC represents cyclists throughout North Carolina. Contact us today for help preserving your legal rights and preparing your claim for success.

The Most Common Bicycle Injuries

Cyclists are far less protected in an accident than occupants of motor vehicles. What could be a relatively minor accident if you were in a motor vehicle could easily lead to severe injuries for a bicycle rider.

The types of injuries our bicycle accident lawyer in Charlotte, NC, can assist you with include:

Head injuries: Skull fractures, concussions, and traumatic brain injuries ranging from mild to severe.
Face injuries: Facial fractures, dental fractures, and eye injuries, including corneal foreign bodies
Musculoskeletal injuries: Fractures, dislocations, and strains to the bones, muscles, joints, and tendons
Chest injuries: Rib fractures and punctured lungs.
Abdomen injuries: Trauma to the spleen, pancreas, intestines, and bowels
Skin and soft tissue injuries: Lacerations, contusions, and abrasions, including serious road rash

Bicycle accidents can cause terrible injuries that often prevent victims from going back to work, temporarily or permanently, and take a long time to recover from. Some bicycle accident injuries are noticeable right away, while other symptoms may take time to appear. Getting medical care and legal guidance as soon as possible can aid in your physical and financial recovery.

Injured & Have Questions? We Can Help.

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980-577-3186

Bicycle Accident Injury Claims in Charlotte, NC

Bicycle accidents of all kinds are a significant safety issue in North Carolina. According to the North Carolina Department of Transportation, approximately 1,000 cyclists are involved in motor vehicle collisions annually, resulting in an average of 20 fatalities and 60 non-fatal serious injuries. That figure encompasses only police-reported motor vehicle collisions and not crashes which were not reported to the police or those bicycle accidents that did not involve a direct collision with a vehicle. The true impact of bicycle accidents and the injuries they cause is likely much greater.

Under state law, victims injured through another party’s negligence in North Carolina have the legal right to seek compensation from that party. That compensation is typically paid by the defendant’s insurance company. To have grounds for a claim for compensation, your circumstances must generally involve:

The negligence of another person or entity that caused your accident and that can be established through evidence
Injuries and resulting damages that can be documented through medical records, proof of lost wages, and other records

Schehr Law PLLC’s bicycle accident lawyer in Charlotte, NC, assists the injured with all kinds of negligence claims. Among the most common types of bike accident lawsuits are vehicle crashes, premises liability matters, and work injuries.

How Schehr Law Can Help You

Get the Compensation You Deserve

A Proven Track Record of Successful Personal Injury Cases
Dedicated to Giving Every Victim a Voice
Get Results That Give You What You Deserve

Bicycle Motor Vehicle Accident Claims

Bicycle motor vehicle claims encompass any situation in which a cyclist is struck by a car, truck, bus, or motorcycle. These larger, faster-moving vehicles can strike a bicycle with great force, injuring a cyclist not only through the direct impact of the collision but also by subsequently throwing them to the ground.

Common examples of collisions between cars and bicycles include a driver sideswiping a bicyclist while going straight, striking a bicyclist while turning, or opening the door of a stopped vehicle into the bicyclist or directly in their path.

In a car and bicycle accident, your Charlotte bike injury attorney will generally seek compensation through an auto insurance policy. In some instances, a commercial auto policy may apply in addition to or instead of a private auto insurance policy. Some accidents between bicycles and motor vehicles involve multiple defendants.

Bicycle Premises Liability Claims

Accidents also occur without motor vehicle involvement. When a hazardous condition on the road, in a parking lot, on a bike path, or on another relevant property causes an accident, it may be possible to pursue a claim against the person who owns, leases, or is otherwise responsible for maintaining that environment in a safe condition. Depending on the circumstances, a defendant in such a claim may include a commercial property owner, commercial lessee, private property owner, renter of a private property, or government agency.

Premises liability claims are legally complicated matters, so you will need a knowledgeable bicycle accident lawyer in Charlotte, NC, to help you sort out liability and begin building your claim.

Bicycle Work Injury Claims

For some cyclists, riding a bike isn’t only a form of recreation, exercise, or transportation to and from work. Riding a bicycle may be part of your job duties in roles such as bike delivery driver or bike courier. If you suffer an injury while delivering food orders, packages, or important letters on your bicycle, you may have grounds for a work injury claim.

If your relationship with the company is that of a legal employee rather than an independent contractor, you may qualify for workers’ compensation benefits. Through the North Carolina workers’ compensation program, injured workers are generally entitled to medical benefits to cover their treatment as well as disability compensation, typically in the amount of two-thirds of their weekly wage.

Whether or not they qualify for workers’ compensation benefits, bike delivery drivers injured on the job can seek compensation from negligent third parties, including motorists and property owners.

How Schehr Law PLLC Can Help

It’s always wise to have professional legal counsel when dealing with any legal matter. Even for smaller, relatively straightforward claims, a consultation with an attorney can be valuable for understanding your rights, the legal process, and what you may be entitled to. The more complex your case is in terms of liability, coverage, injuries, and damages, the more necessary hiring an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Charlotte, NC, becomes.

What a Charlotte Bike Injury Attorney at Schehr Law PLLC Will Do for You

At Schehr Law PLLC, we fight to get you full compensation while also doing so much more to make life after a bike accident less stressful. Here’s what you can expect from our team:

Evaluate your case during a free consultation
Extensively investigate your claim
Gather evidence in support of your case
Develop a personalized strategy based on the specifics of your unique situation
Ensure open, consistent communication with your attorney, so you always know what's going on with your case and have realistic expectations throughout the claims process
Tackle the legal obligations involved in pursuing a claim on your behalf, so you can focus on getting better
File all paperwork
Meet all deadlines
Represent you in all proceedings
Secure you fair compensation by negotiating a settlement or taking your case to court

Having a dedicated Charlotte bike injury attorney at Schehr Law PLLC can increase the likelihood of getting the full amount of compensation you deserve while easing the immense stress you’re under after a bicycle accident.

Why Choose Schehr Law PLLC?

You need a Charlotte bike injury attorney who has had a proven record of success and offers personalized guidance and legal support every step of the way.

Our Successes

Since attorney M. Christopher Schehr founded Schehr Law PLLC in 2020, our firm has already recovered more than $4 million for our clients. Our commitment to getting maximum compensation for the injured is evident in our results, including a recent settlement in excess of $800,000. We achieve these results through a combination of meticulous case preparation, aggressive legal representation, and a willingness to take cases to court when a trial is in our client’s best interests.

Personal Focus

Attorney M. Christopher Schehr’s experience working in a big law firm, and sometimes never even meeting his clients, inspired our firm’s commitment to individualized attention for each client. We never want you to feel like just a case number. At Schehr Law PLLC, we care about your needs, your family, and how the outcome of your case affects your future.

No Upfront Fees

Concerns over the cost of legal representation routinely discourage injured cyclists from getting professional legal help, but it doesn’t have to be that way. We assist all personal injury claimants on a contingency fee basis. Instead of clients having to pay an attorney hourly or on a retainer, a contingency fee basis means the attorney receives a percentage of the final settlement or court award we recover for you. Since you’ll pay nothing upfront for our legal services, you can focus on your medical recovery rather than the legal claim or any added financial burdens.

Contact a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Charlotte, NC, Today at Schehr Law PLLC for a Free Consultation

You deserve the experienced guidance of a top-rated attorney to help you manage the stress of a legal claim and recover the maximum amount of compensation available to you.

For help from a bicycle accident lawyer in Charlotte, NC, with a record of achieving excellent case results for clients, contact Schehr Law PLLC online or call us today.

Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle Accident Claims in Charlotte and Throughout North Carolina

After a bicycle accident, it’s important to first get to a safe place to avoid subsequent accidents and further harm. You should call 911 to report the accident to the authorities and request help from emergency medical personnel.
Take photos, videos, and written notes to document the bicycle accident scene. If anyone witnessed the accident, ask for their contact details and statements.
Provide the required information to responding officers and make sure you know how to receive a copy of the completed report.
Undergo an initial examination by emergency medical personnel. Then, see a doctor for a more in-depth examination at a hospital, urgent care facility, or physician’s office.
Consult a Charlotte bike injury attorney for help understanding your legal rights and determining whether you have a claim for financial compensation.
Cyclists are most likely to get in accidents in places like intersections, parking lots, neighborhoods, and other high-traffic areas. The chances of a bicycle accident are greater on roadways that don’t have bicycle lanes.
Among accidents between bikes and motor vehicles, driver negligence is the most common cause of collisions. Drivers must look out for cyclists around them because they do not have as much protection as cars. Drivers’ actions that lead to bicycle accidents include:
Failure to see bicyclists
Speeding
Distracted driving
Drunk driving
Aggressive driving
Impatience
Failure to yield
Miscommunication
Road and property conditions can also contribute to bicycle accidents, whether or not they involve motor vehicles. Examples of hazardous conditions for cyclists include:
Potholes
Cracked, damaged, or poorly maintained bike lanes or bike paths
Irregular road surfaces, such as cobblestones
Poorly lit roads and bike paths
Unmarked grates, tracks, and other changes in the road surface
In some cases, mechanical failures of the bike itself due to factors like design flaws or manufacturing defects can cause bicycle accidents.
The cause of your crash matters when you’re seeking compensation for your injuries. Your bicycle accident lawyer in Charlotte, NC, can investigate the incident and begin gathering evidence of the at-fault party’s negligence.
To prove fault in a bicycle accident case, you’re likely to need professional legal help. Proving fault requires you to establish the following:
The defendant owed you a duty of care (typically, to drive with reasonable caution or maintain a property or roadway in safe condition)
The defendant failed to uphold this duty (such as by driving carelessly or allowing hazardous conditions to exist)
This negligence caused the bicycle accident
You suffered injuries and resulting damages in the bicycle accident
Your bicycle accident lawyer in Charlotte, NC, will conduct a thorough investigation to gather evidence. In addition to the police report and the notes, photos, and videos with which you documented the accident scene, we may:
Interview witnesses
Seek out any surveillance footage that may have caught the accident on tape
Enlist the help of an accident reconstruction specialist or another type of expert witness
It’s also important to thoroughly document your damages, a task that the team at Schehr Law PLLC has extensive experience doing successfully.
Although our team makes every effort to move our clients’ cases forward efficiently, getting compensation for a bicycle accident takes time. The simplest claims can sometimes be resolved in a matter of months, but it often takes years to resolve cases that involve extensive injuries or complicated liability. By building a strong case and meticulously documenting your damages from the beginning, Schehr Law PLLC puts your claim on the path to success early on. Throughout the claims process, we’re committed to proactively moving your case forward toward the resolution you deserve.