North Carolina Bicycle & Pedestrian Accident Lawyers

Each year in NC approximately 1,000 bicyclists are involved in police-reported crashes with motor vehicles. Cycling and walking are both excellent ways of getting around Winston Salem and the surrounding area. Not only does commuting on two wheels or on foot help to protect the environment, but also regular cycling or walking can help you to improve your fitness and maintain a healthy weight. Investing in a bike or a good pair of walking shoes could help you save money on gas in addition to keeping the air clean in your local community.

Bicycle and pedestrian accidents should not stop people from using the roads in their local area to be active and get around. Lawyers can help to support the victims of these accidents and bring the drivers who are responsible for causing them to justice. Contact a bicycle accident lawyers today!

Why Victims Need A Bicycle Accident Lawyers

The downside of cycling is that riding a bike on the roads puts you at risk of being involved in an accident with an irresponsible driver. Many drivers in North Carolina simply do not seem to acknowledge that they are legally obligated to share the roadway with cyclists on the roads. They may not understand how much space they need to give to bicycles, which can lead to accidents. Of course, some drivers are also irresponsible and impatient, which can put cyclists at risk. Contact an attorney

Pedestrians are also at risk when they use the walkways and roads in this state. With many drivers failing to observe speed limits, pedestrians are at risk of serious injury or even death when walking in this area. Even if you always stick to the crosswalks, wear highly visible clothing, and take care when walking in areas that do not have walkways, an irresponsible driver could cause you to be involved in an accident.

If you have been involved in a bicycle or pedestrian accident on the roads in or around Winston Salem, you need legal representation to help you get the justice you deserve. Pedestrians and cyclists have just as much right to use the local roads as drivers do, so there is no reason to let irresponsible drivers get away with harming you through their own lack of care.

Insurance companies defend pedestrian and bicycle accident cases aggressively, and they always seek to place partial blame on the victim. Under North Carolina law, if the injured party is slightly at fault for the accident, even just 1% to blame, they have no claims and no right to compensation. Injury victims in these cases must be very careful in all discussions with insurance companies. Former claims adjuster Carl Nagle knows that insurance adjusters are paid to oppose valid claims, and that in every pedestrian or bicycle accident case, they work first to place blame on the victim so they can deny all injury claims. With an aggressive personal injury attorney in your corner, your legal rights are protected and enforced.

Compensation paid at the conclusion of your injury case can help you to meet the various costs associated with a road accident, such as medical bills and loss of income. If you have been hurt by an irresponsible driver, you deserve this financial help from the person who caused the accident. A financial payout can help to support you and your family throughout your recovery, so you get your life back on track as quickly as possible.

If you have been hurt in a bicycle or pedestrian accident in Winston Salem, get in touch with Nagle & Associates today. Simply call us on (336) 723-4500 to schedule a free consultation or Contact an attorney.

Consequences of Bicycle and Pedestrian Accidents

The consequences of being hit by a car while walking or cycling can be catastrophic. From cuts and grazes to broken bones and concussion, all injuries should be taken seriously. A bicycle and pedestrian accident lawyer will help you get the at-fault driver to take notice of your claim and get the payout you need.

Sometimes, accidents lead to long-term consequences, such as paralysis or a traumatic brain injury. In these situations, it is more important than ever to have a lawyer help you claim financial compensation to support your recovery.

Claiming compensation is also important when an accident on the road has led to a death. Presenting a successful wrongful death claim will ensure that careless drivers are brought to justice, and the resulting payment to surviving heirs will help to support the people who are left behind.

Using Your Own Insurance

Did you know that you can call on your own auto insurance policy even if you were not driving your vehicle when the accident occurred? Many policies cover the holder even when they are cycling or walking. Under North Carolina law, a bicycle rider is treated as a pedestrian – and pedestrians have the right to use all family-owned insurance policies in their household to collect injury-claim benefits. If the at-fault driver was uninsured or the accident was a hit-and-run, the Uninsured Motorist coverage on all household policies provide personal injury payments. If the at-fault driver was insured, the injury victim can still use Underinsured Motorist coverage to add to the at-fault driver’s coverage. UM and UIM coverage is stackable in North Carolina, meaning that you add all of the coverages on all family-owned policies to determine the total amount of coverage available. Our firm offers free consultations to all roadway accident victims, and we invite you to call if you would like our help calculating the total amount of coverage available in your case.

Making Claims Against Negligent Drivers

Many drivers resort to the excuses, “I didn’t see him,” or “he came out of nowhere,” when trying to explain why they collided with a pedestrian or bicycle. This is simply not good enough. Drivers have a moral and legal responsibility to watch out for other road users, including walkers and cyclists, and to moderate their speed to reduce the risk of a fatal accident taking place.

When drivers fail to take the necessary care and attention on the roads, Nagle & Associates can help you take legal action against them. Personal injury claims are not only about money: they can also provide closure for victims and their families. Drivers who are held responsible are made to face up to their actions and acknowledge that they were driving dangerously.

To find out more about the help that Nagle & Associates can offer to help you pursue your injury claim, get in touch today to schedule a free consultation. You can call us locally at (336) 723-4500 or get in touch via our website.