South Carolina Bicycle Accident Attorney
South Carolina Bicycle Accident Attorney
Truthfully, America – especially South Carolina – has a vehicle problem. Transportation is largely centered on car transportation, and that is at the peril of pedestrians (walkers) and bicyclists. Chase cares deeply about this matter. He served as a member of the City of Columbia Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee (BPAC) just for that reason – to increase bicycle and pedestrian safety in the Capital City. Change takes time. According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, a bicyclist is killed in South Carolina every 16.6 days.
Unfortunately, many bicycle riders are hit by negligent vehicle drivers and often suffer serious injuries or even death. The average size of a car is over 4000 pounds, and people walking or on bicycles have very little – if any – protection. In addition, they are much smaller than vehicles and can be more difficult to see. Chase cares deeply and passionately about pedestrian and bicycle rider’s safety and fights for it both in and out of the Courtroom.
If you or a loved one was injured in a pedestrian accident or bicycle accident, we can help get you the full money you deserve to pay for past and future medical bills.
South Carolina Bike Accident Attorney
A bike accident can cause serious injuries or even death and can leave you immobile for weeks. These serious injuries are always difficult; difficult to get bills paid, difficult to get your health back, difficult to adjust to daily life with the injuries. We’re here to help.
There are around 500 reported bicycle crashes every year in South Carolina. Of these crashes:
- Around 3% result in fatalities
- Around 91% result in injuries
- Around 7% result in property damage only
It is important to work with an experienced lawyer quickly to get evidence to support your case. We work to help gather evidence and prove the driver of the car, truck, or whoever caused your injury acted negligent. We do the following:
- Visit the scene of the accident
- Take photos and videos
- Look for nearby businesses and homes that may have cameras that recorded the accident. This is crucial to many cases and important to gather quickly. Video often expires anywhere from 48 hours to 1 month after the accident.
- Interview witnesses
- Work with experts to determine the cause of the accident
- Rely on technologies such as reconstruction and location tracking
What are common causes of Bicycle Accidents in South Carolina?
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Distracted driving
- Tired driver/driver fatigue
- Drunk driving / driving under the influence
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Failure to stop at a traffic signal or stop sign
- Turning left into the path of an oncoming bicyclist
- Speeding or reckless driving
- Swerving into a bicycle lane
- Road defects
No matter how a negligent driver violates your right-of-way, you should explore your legal options. Unfortunately, this is a growing risk.
What are Common injures from a bicycle accident?
Bicycle fatalities – like pedestrian fatalities – have increased in South Carolina since 2017. The increase in fatalities and injuries has steadily increased since at least 2014. Because bicycle riders typically do not have any protective clothing or gear and are largely exposed, accidents can cause serious injury of even death. We represent clients who suffer injuries including:
- Brain injury
- Back and neck injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Head injuries
- Amputations
- Burn injuries
- Catastrophic injuries
- Wrongful death
5 things to do if you are in a bike accident in South Carolina?
- Get medical help
- Call police
- Gather evidence
- Notify your insurance company (your auto insurance may cover bicycle accidents).
- Meet with a South Carolina bicycle accident attorney