Charleston Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Our attorneys are ready to fight for your rights
Bicycles are a common sight on the streets of Charleston. When everyone is following the rules of the road, there are no problems. But a negligent driver can change all of that in an instant. A bicycle is no match for a passenger car weighing thousands of pounds. Bicyclists can suffer serious injuries, which can sometimes be fatal.
Negligent drivers should be held accountable and insurance companies should pay the injured fair compensation. But unfortunately, that can be a complicated process. At Mani Ellis & Layne, PLLC, our bicycle accident attorneys understand the challenges that injured bicyclists face and fight for their rights.
Experienced attorneys with a track record of results
How do negligent drivers cause bicycle accidents? Sometimes they don’t even notice a bicycle on the road. Or they view it as an inconvenience. Negligent drivers may be aggressive about sharing the road, or go too fast. Others are checking their phones or adjusting dashboard controls. Some drivers are fatigued or driving under the influence.
Whether you were hurt on 40th Street, Cross Lanes Drive or another Charleston street, a crash can leave you seriously hurt. Bicyclists have almost no protection in an accident. Common injuries seen in bicycle accidents include injuries to the head, neck or back. Some bicyclists suffer broken bones, concussion, or traumatic brain injury (TBI). Lacerations are another common injury.
You may have been treated at Saint Francis Hospital or another local medical facility. You may have had ambulance transport, diagnostic tests, surgery, hospitalization, medication and need physical therapy and follow-up appointments. Medical expenses can add up very quickly and become overwhelming.
A bicycle accident injury not only affects you physically, but also financially. You may not be sure how you are going to pay your medical expenses. If a negligent driver caused the accident that left you hurt, you shouldn’t have to pay.
We help you fight back against the insurance companies
But recovering the financial compensation you deserve can be difficult. For one thing, negligent drivers may deny doing anything wrong and refuse to accept responsibility for what happened. They may even say that you were to blame for what happened. That puts you in the position of having to prove their negligence left you injured.
Another obstacle to getting fair compensation is the insurance companies. They are supposed to help when someone has been hurt. But they’re always concerned about the bottom line and will try to pay as little as possible.
There are many tactics they use to try to limit compensation. An insurance company may question the seriousness of your injuries. They may argue your injuries were pre-existing and may seek access to your medical history. Or they’ll offer you a settlement. But it will be a lowball offer that doesn’t come close to covering the damages you suffered.
That’s why you need experienced legal representation. Our attorneys know the laws in West Virginia. And we are very familiar with the tactics used by insurance companies. We build strong cases that force the insurance company to take your claim seriously.
You may have been injured in an intersection accident, dooring accident, sideswipe collision, right hook crash or left hook crash. Whatever happened, we start by investigating your crash to get the facts.
We’re ready to fight for you
Our legal team knows where to look for evidence that proves the driver was acting negligently. We carefully review accident reports and medical records. We identify and interview witnesses to the bicycle accident. And if needed, we consult accident reconstruction experts and other specialists.
Our lawyers can deal directly with the insurance company so you can focus on getting better. We are often able to negotiate a settlement that meets your needs. But if the insurance company won’t agree to a settlement that works for you, we’ll be ready to fight for you in court.
It’s important to get legal advice as soon as possible following your Charleston bicycle accident. West Virginia law gives you two years from the date of your accident to take legal action. But the longer you wait, the more likely it is that evidence will be lost and witnesses will forget important details.
You may not be sure if it’s even worth talking to an attorney. But you should have a clear understanding of your rights. One of our attorneys can meet with you to discuss your legal options and answer your questions. And it costs you nothing.
Our firm has been fighting for the injured in Charleston and throughout West Virginia since 2007. Learn more about how we can help. Contact us to schedule a free consultation.
