High Point Bicycle Accident Attorney

Representing Injured Cyclists in Winston-Salem, Greensboro & the Surrounding Areas

When a car or truck collides with a bicycle, the cyclist is usually the one who suffers the most. The injuries sustained in bicycle accidents are often catastrophic, leaving victims with life-altering disabilities and enormous medical bills. Unfortunately, insurance companies often try to take advantage of vulnerable victims by offering low settlements or even denying valid claims outright.

At Comerford Chilson & Moser, L.L.P., we believe that injured cyclists deserve better. Our High Point bicycle accident lawyers are here to help you fight for the full, fair recovery you are owed, whether that is through settlement negotiations or by taking your case to trial. We have successfully represented hundreds of injured victims throughout the Triad and are prepared to put our extensive experience to work for you. When you choose our firm, you can expect to work directly with an attorney who will keep you informed about the progress of your case every step of the way.

Call us at (336) 568-8779 or contact us online today to schedule a free initial consultation with our High Point bicycle accident lawyers. We offer contingency fees, meaning you do not owe any upfront costs and only pay if we win your case.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Most bicycle accidents are caused by the negligence of drivers, pedestrians, or both. Common examples of negligence that lead to bicycle accidents include:

• Distracted driving. When drivers are not paying attention to the road, they can easily miss seeing a bicyclist. Examples of distracted driving include texting, talking on the phone, eating, drinking, talking to passengers, grooming, and using in-car technologies.
• Drunk driving. Alcohol and drugs can greatly impair a driver’s judgment, coordination, and reaction time, making them more likely to cause a bicycle accident.
• Fatigued driving. When drivers are overly tired, they are more likely to make mistakes and have slower reaction times. This can make it more difficult for them to see and avoid bicyclists.
• Speeding. When drivers are speeding, they are less likely to be able to stop in time to avoid crashing into a bicyclist. Speeding also makes crashes more likely to be fatal.
• Aggressive driving. When drivers are angry or in a hurry, they are more likely to engage in dangerous behaviors, such as running red lights or stop signs, changing lanes without looking, or following other vehicles too closely.
• Failure to yield the right of way. Bicyclists have the same rights as drivers to use the road. When drivers fail to yield the right of way to a bicyclist, they can cause a serious collision.
• Opening a car door into a bicyclist’s path. When a driver or passenger opens a car door without looking, they can hit an oncoming bicyclist, causing them to crash.
• Pedestrian negligence. Pedestrians who are not paying attention to their surroundings can walk into a bicycle lane or cross the street without looking, causing a collision with a bicyclist.

Who is Liable for a Bicycle Accident in High Point?

Liability for a bicycle accident depends on who was at fault. In most cases, the at-fault party is either the driver of a motor vehicle or the bicyclist themselves.

Some examples of parties that may be held liable for a bicycle accident include:

• Motor vehicle drivers
• Motor vehicle passengers
• Motorcyclists and their passengers
• Pedestrians
• Government entities
• Employers
• Manufacturers

Under North Carolina’s contributory negligence rule, you cannot recover compensation if you are found to be even slightly at fault for the accident. The insurance company may try to use this rule to argue that you were at least partially to blame for the crash. If they are successful, you will not be able to recover any compensation for your injuries. For this reason, it is important to work with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer in High Point who knows how to effectively combat claims of contributory negligence.

Types of Compensation in a High Point Bicycle Accident Claim

If you were injured in a bicycle accident that was caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more. The amount of compensation you can recover will depend on the specific facts of your case and the severity of your injuries.

You may be able to recover the following types of compensation:

• Medical expenses. This includes all past and future medical expenses related to the accident. Examples include emergency room visits, hospital stays, surgeries, medications, physical therapy, and mobility aids.
• Lost wages. If your injuries forced you to miss work, you can recover compensation for your lost income. If you are unable to return to work or are forced to take a lower-paying job due to your injuries, you may also be able to recover compensation for your lost earning capacity.
• Property damage. This includes the cost of repairing or replacing your bicycle and any other personal items that were damaged or destroyed in the crash.
• Pain and suffering. This includes all physical and emotional pain and suffering you have experienced as a result of the accident and your injuries.
• Loss of enjoyment of life. If your injuries have prevented you from participating in activities you once enjoyed, you may be able to recover compensation for your loss of enjoyment of life.
• Loss of consortium. If your injuries have negatively impacted your relationship with your spouse, you may be able to recover compensation for your loss of consortium.

In some cases, you may also be entitled to punitive damages. Unlike other types of compensation, which are meant to compensate you for your losses, punitive damages are meant to punish the at-fault party for particularly egregious behavior and to deter others from behaving in the same way in the future. You may be able to recover punitive damages if your accident was caused by a drunk driver or someone who was fleeing the police.

Why You Need a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in High Point

After a bicycle accident, you may be wondering if you need to hire an attorney. While you are not legally required to do so, it is highly recommended that you seek legal representation, especially if you sustained serious injuries. The insurance company is not on your side and will look for any reason to deny your claim or get you to settle for less than you deserve. An experienced High Point bicycle accident attorney can help you level the playing field and ensure your rights are protected.

At Comerford Chilson & Moser, L.L.P., we can help you by:

• Thoroughly investigating the accident to determine how it happened and who was at fault. We can then use this evidence to build a strong case on your behalf.
• Calculating the full extent of your damages to ensure you are not left paying for any of your accident-related expenses out of pocket.
• Handling all communication with the insurance company and fighting aggressively to protect your rights. If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement, we are prepared to take your case to trial.
• Working with experts who can help us understand the extent of your injuries and how they will impact your life in the future. This can be especially important if you suffered a catastrophic injury that will require ongoing medical care.

We understand how difficult it can be to recover from a bicycle accident and are here to provide you with the compassionate legal guidance you need during this difficult time. Our High Point bicycle accident attorneys have a proven track record of success and are prepared to put our skills to work for you.

Contact us at (336) 568-8779 today to schedule a free initial consultation to discuss your case.