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Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Durham, NC

Durham Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Key Takeaways

  • Bicycle accidents in Durham, NC can cause severe injuries because cyclists have little protection in collisions with larger motor vehicles.
  • Injured cyclists may be entitled to compensation for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other damages caused by a negligent driver or other liable party.
  • Evidence such as police reports, crash scene photos, eyewitness statements, and surveillance footage can play a critical role in proving fault in a bicycle accident claim.
  • North Carolina’s strict contributory negligence law may prevent injured cyclists from recovering compensation if they are found even partially at fault for the crash.
  • An experienced Durham bicycle accident lawyer can investigate the collision, negotiate with insurance companies, and fight for the maximum compensation available.

Bicycling is an increasingly popular way to get around Durham, Raleigh, Sanford and across North Carolina – as a way to commute to work, a convenient way to run errands in the neighborhood, and a healthy and joint-friendly form of physical activity.

However, cycling can also be dangerous when motorists and other road users do not take their responsibilities toward cyclists seriously. Worse, the size and speed difference between bicycles and motor vehicles, combined with the fact that bicyclists are completely exposed to the force of impact, means that a cyclist typically suffers serious injuries in the event of a collision.

Has a bicycle accident happened to you or someone you love? If so, you could be entitled to compensation from the at-fault party. Call us 24/7 at 919-980-9895 or contact a bicycle accident lawyer with Kornbluth Ginsberg Law Group, P.A., in Durham and Sanford, NC, and let us offer you the helping hand you need as you seek the financial security and accountability you deserve.

Get directions to our Durham Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Why You Need a Bicycle Accident Lawyer After a Crash

Why do you need a bicycle accident lawyer? The aftermath of a bicycle accident is a difficult time. You are likely in pain, undergoing extensive medical treatment, and just trying to get back to living your life. You could be entitled to compensation to help ease these burdens, but getting it could prove more difficult than it should.

Here are some reasons why:

  • Determining liability can be complex. To get compensation, you need to prove that someone else was to blame for the bike accident that hurt you. That takes considerable evidence, particularly in situations where multiple people may have played a role in what happened.
  • Insurance companies want to minimize payouts. Even when you have conclusively shown who is at fault for what happened, you will still need to negotiate with an insurance company that cares more about its profits than it does about your well-being. Insurers know plenty of hardball tactics to minimize payouts, and they are not shy about using them.

Fortunately, you are just a phone call away from someone who can deal with all the legal issues for you. An experienced Durham bicycle accident attorney from Kornbluth Ginsberg can pursue fair compensation for you more effectively and efficiently than you could yourself.

We can investigate what happened, gather evidence proving both who is at fault and how much they owe you, and then negotiate aggressively with the insurance adjusters for a fair settlement. If the insurance companies will not agree to a fair settlement offer, our attorneys can take them to court to pursue a bike accident lawsuit.

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Durham

What you do after a bicycle accident in Durham can have significant consequences on your eventual injury case. Here are a few steps you can take to strengthen your bicycle accident claim, protecting both your rights and your health:

  • Get medical attention as soon as possible if you have not done so already.
  • Write down your recollection of what happened while your memory is still fresh.
  • Request a copy of the police accident report if authorities responded to the scene.
  • Try to obtain photographs of the scene, your bike and your injuries. Also, there are multiple providers of bicycle dash-cams. It may be a good idea to consider that investment.
  • Start an evidence file that includes your written account of the crash, the police accident report, your medical bills, and anything else that might be helpful to explain what happened and what you’ve suffered as a result.
  • Be careful what you say to insurance companies and even friends and family, as your statements could be used to undermine your bicycle accident case.
  • Contact a Durham bicycle accident lawyer at Kornbluth Ginsberg and arrange a free consultation. Be sure to bring your evidence folder with you so our attorneys can analyze the information you have gathered.

North Carolina Bicycle Laws and How They Impact Your Case

Chapter 20 of the General Statutes of North Carolina lays out the laws for road users in the state, including bicyclists. As North Carolina’s driver’s handbook explains, “because bicycles are vehicles, bicyclists must obey the same traffic laws as other drivers.” That includes the right to use a full lane if needed. Motorists need to extend cyclists the same deference they would to other drivers.

A motorist or other road user who violates state traffic laws or is otherwise at fault for a bicycle accident is financially responsible for the cyclist’s injuries.

Fault is determined through the gathering and examination of evidence, such as:

  • Police reports
  • Photos of the accident scene
  • Traffic, security, and dashboard camera footage
  • Eyewitness testimony
  • Crash reconstructions

One other law that can affect a bicycle accident claim is North Carolina’s contributory negligence rule. The contributory negligence law holds that a victim who is partially at fault for an accident is barred from recovering compensation at trial, no matter how slight their degree of fault.

The strict rule is why it is so important for injured cyclists to work with experienced attorneys who understand its implications and how to address them.

Who Can Be Held Liable in a Bicycle Accident Claim?

Anyone whose actions contribute to a bicycle accident could be liable for the consequences, including:

  • Negligent drivers
  • Employers, when the at-fault driver was on the job at the time
  • Government entities responsible for designing and maintaining safe roads
  • Manufacturers who produced unsafe bicycle components that failed in use

In some accidents, multiple parties are liable.

What Makes Our Durham Bicycle Accident Lawyers Different?

You have many options when looking for a bicycle lawyer near you, but you need an attorney who is the right fit for you and your case.

Here are some factors that make Kornbluth Ginsberg stand out:

  • Our client-first approach – We treat our clients the way we would want to be treated if we were in their position. We offer respect, compassion, and support to everyone who walks through our doors.
  • Our local experience in Durham – Durham is our home, and we are proud of the work we do for our community. We know the local courts and the strategies that can be effective in them.
  • The personalized attention we offer – You are not just another case number to us. You are a unique individual who needs our help, and we will honor the trust you place in us by keeping you informed at every stage of your personal injury claim.
  • Our trial readiness – While we will work hard at the negotiating table to get you a fair settlement, we are not afraid to proceed to litigation. We will prepare your case for trial so the insurance company knows we are serious and ready to take them to court if necessary.

Speak With Our Durham Bicycle Accident Lawyers Today

At Kornbluth Ginsberg, we stand by our results, such as the $325,000 we secured for a client who suffered back and head injuries in a bicycle accident. We invite you to review some of our many positive client reviews to get a better understanding of what it is like to be a client of our law firm.

For example, one of our recent clients wrote:

“On top of everything from the beginning, put up a long, hard fight for US. The outcome was great better than I expected, thanks ladies and gentlemen for everything.” – Tommy T.

Contact us today or call us anytime at 919-980-9895 for a free consultation with our Durham bicycle accident attorneys and let us put our 100 years of combined legal experience to fight for the compensation you deserve.