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Bicycles are an increasingly popular means of transportation for South Carolina residents. Bikes allow people to enjoy warm weather and exercise while being environmentally conscious. Despite being commonly used, bicycles offer no protection for riders against larger and faster motor vehicles. This could leave bicyclists with devastating injuries in the event of an accident.
If the negligence of another led to your bike wreck, a Beaufort bicycle accident lawyer might be able to assist you or a loved one in pursuing compensation for your losses and damages. A dedicated Beaufort personal injury attorney could present your available options and help you make the best decisions in your case.
Common Causes of Bicycle Wrecks in Beaufort
Bicycle accidents caused by motorists have a range of causes, from simple driver inattention to intentional road rage. Bicyclists can easily be struck by hit and run drivers or those who are impaired by alcohol or drugs. An experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Beaufort could hold negligent or reckless drivers accountable for their wrongful actions.
In some cases, injuries to bicyclists result from situations that do not involve other vehicles. These accidents might arise from potholes and other dangerous road hazards which governmental entities have made no efforts to remedy. Malfunctioning bicycles and equipment also can lead to accidents and severe injuries.
Negligence and Bike Crashes
Most bicycle accident claims arise from allegations of negligence against another party, which could include the driver who struck a cyclist. Motorists must drive in such a manner that keeps others on the roadways reasonably safe from harm. When they fail to live up to this duty, they could be liable for any injuries to others that result from their wrongful actions.
Bicyclists must also comply with the rules of the road that apply to them. For example, cyclists must use any available bicycle lanes. If none are accessible, they must ride nearest to the right side of the roadway. Bicyclists must use appropriate hand signals when stopping and turning. Barring specific trails and paths, they must also refrain from riding more than two individuals side by side.
When bicyclists violate these rules, they may be partially at fault for the accident that caused their injuries. However, victims may still allow these injury victims to recover compensation as long as they were less than 50% responsible for the accident that led to their injuries. Nevertheless, a bicycle accident attorney in Beaufort may advise that damages are limited in these situations to the percentage of fault allocated to the non-injured parties.
Consult a Beaufort Bicycle Accident Attorney for Advice
Bicycle accidents can result in injuries that are disruptive to your personal life, your career, and your financial situation. If you or a loved one suffers injuries in a bicycle crash, you should remain calm and call a Beaufort bicycle accident lawyer for legal advice and representation. Taking this step may allow you to put forth a successful claim against those whose negligent or reckless actions led to your injuries.
Since the timeframe for bringing personal injury claims for your losses is limited, you should not hesitate to contact legal counsel for advice. If you fail to meet the deadline, you may lose the ability to recover any compensation for your losses. Reach out to Schiller & Hamilton today to schedule a consultation with an attorney.