Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Bicycle Accident Attorneys Serving NC, SC & GA
Cycling is a popular mode of transportation and recreation across North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia. Unfortunately, cyclists are extremely vulnerable to serious injury when involved in collisions with motor vehicles. At Dr. Ted Injury Law, our bicycle accident lawyers are dedicated to protecting the rights of injured cyclists and obtaining the compensation they need to recover.
Despite growing awareness of bicycle safety, drivers continue to fail in their duty to share the road safely with cyclists. Our attorneys understand the unique challenges cyclists face and know how to build strong cases that overcome any bias against bicycle riders.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
- Right-hook collisions — A driver turns right across the path of a cyclist.
- Left-cross collisions — An oncoming vehicle turns left across the cyclist's path.
- Dooring — A parked vehicle's occupant opens their door into a passing cyclist's path.
- Failure to maintain safe passing distance — Drivers who pass too closely create sideswipe risks.
- Running red lights and stop signs — Disobeying traffic signals at intersections.
- Distracted driving — Texting and other distractions prevent drivers from seeing cyclists.
- Backing out of driveways — Failing to check for cyclists when backing out.
Injuries Common in Bicycle Accidents
- Traumatic brain injuries, even with helmet use
- Facial fractures and dental injuries
- Broken collarbones, wrists, and arms
- Spinal cord injuries
- Hip and pelvic fractures
- Road rash and severe skin abrasions
- Internal organ damage
- Knee and ligament injuries
State Bicycle Laws
North Carolina
Bicycles are vehicles under N.C. Gen. Stat. § 20-4.01(49), giving cyclists the same rights and responsibilities as motorists. North Carolina's contributory negligence rule means any fault could bar recovery. Helmets required for cyclists under 16. The statute of limitations is 3 years.
South Carolina
South Carolina recognizes bicycles as vehicles under S.C. Code § 56-5-3420. Comparative negligence allows recovery if less than 51% at fault. The statute of limitations is 3 years.
Georgia
Georgia law grants cyclists the same rights as drivers under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-292. Georgia requires safe passing distance. Comparative negligence allows recovery if less than 50% at fault. The statute of limitations is 2 years.
Building a Strong Bicycle Accident Case
Our attorneys investigate the accident scene, obtain police reports, interview witnesses, review traffic camera and dashcam footage, and consult with accident reconstruction experts. We document the full extent of your injuries and counter insurance company attempts to blame the cyclist with clear evidence of the driver's negligence.
Compensation for Bicycle Accident Victims
Injured cyclists may recover compensation for emergency medical treatment, ongoing care and rehabilitation, bicycle repair or replacement, lost income, pain and suffering, emotional distress, permanent disability or disfigurement, and reduced quality of life.
Free Consultation
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, contact Dr. Ted Injury Law today. We handle all bicycle accident cases on a contingency fee basis.
Related Case Results
Our client was driving home from work on Interstate 85 near Charlotte when an 18-wheeler whose driver had exceeded federal hours-of-service limits ran a red light at a highway interchange, causing a devastating multi-vehicle collision. Our client suffered a severe traumatic brain injury, multiple fractures, and required months of intensive rehabilitation. Through exhaustive investigation, we uncovered falsified driver logs and a pattern of safety violations by the trucking company. After a two-week trial, the jury returned a verdict of $12.5 million, one of the largest trucking accident verdicts in North Carolina history.
A 42-year-old mother of three went to a Charlotte-area hospital for a routine gallbladder removal. Due to the surgeon's negligence, her bile duct was severed during the procedure, leading to a life-threatening infection, multiple corrective surgeries, and permanent digestive complications. Our team retained leading surgical experts who testified that the surgeon deviated from the standard of care. The case was resolved through mediation for $9.2 million, providing our client with the resources to cover her ongoing medical needs and compensate her family for the profound impact on their lives.
A commercial truck driver lost control of his vehicle on a steep descent near Asheville when the truck's brakes failed due to inadequate maintenance. The truck struck our client's vehicle head-on, killing the 38-year-old father of two. Our investigation revealed that the trucking company had repeatedly deferred required brake inspections and that the driver had reported brake issues weeks before the accident. We settled with the trucking company and the maintenance provider for a combined $8.7 million for the surviving family.
A construction worker at a high-rise project in downtown Charlotte fell 40 feet when his safety harness, manufactured by a major equipment company, failed due to a defective buckle mechanism. He suffered a catastrophic spinal cord injury resulting in permanent paralysis from the waist down. We pursued claims against both the equipment manufacturer and the general contractor, ultimately recovering $7.8 million through settlement. The case led to a voluntary recall of the defective harness model.