South Carolina Hit by a Car on a Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Cycling is a popular pastime. People of South Carolina use bicycles as a mode of transportation, a form of exercise and recreational activity. However, cycling has many dangers associated with it. When sharing the road with motorized vehicles, bicycles are at risk of accidents. Accidents between vehicles and bicycles often result in injuries and even fatalities.

Bicycles do not have the same protections as cars. Bikes are also small and narrow, which impacts their visibility. The size and weight of a vehicle not only affects the ability to maneuver and the reaction time of drivers but also the severity of the injuries and damages.

If you or someone you love has been hit by a car while riding a bicycle, you may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and damages. Contact the Steinberg Law Firm to learn how we can help.

South Carolina Bicycle Laws

Bicycles and motorized vehicles must follow the same South Carolina laws and traffic laws. Bicycles have the same right to be on the roadway as other vehicles. Under the law, cars must stay a safe distance from bicyclists. State law requires cyclists to ride in the bike lane if there is one present. South Carolina does not have helmet laws in place. This means that cyclists are not required to wear a helmet.

Bicyclists Hit by Car in South Carolina 

Even with laws and preventable measures, accidents between motorized vehicles and bicycles occur. When bicycles share the road with other vehicles, even when bicycles have their own lane, accidents still happen. State law requires bicycles to ride in bike lanes if ones are present on the road. When riding in bike lanes, bicycles travel alongside automobiles that are moving at much higher speeds. In a split second, a car may hit a bike. The accident may occur due to:

• Motorist failure to see the bicycle
• Cyclist failure to see the car
• Distracted driving or cycling
• Drunk driving
• Improper signal or lane change

With no protective gear, bicycles are at risk for severe injuries and even death. Bicyclist fatalities in South Carolina average to approximately 20 people per year. The impact of a car hitting a bicycle may cause serious the following injuries:

• Concussions
• Contusions
• Neck injuries
• Abrasions
• Lacerations
• Strains
• Fractures
• Road rash

Determining Fault in South Carolina Bicycle Accident

If a vehicle driver hits a bicycle, the victim may pursue a lawsuit to compensate for their injuries and damages. Victims of such an accident need to show that the at-fault driver was negligent in their actions. In case of death of the cyclist, family members or a representative of the deceased victim’s estate may seek to recover compensation from the at-fault party.

Sometimes both parties involved in the accident can be liable for the accident. Sometimes the cyclist is responsible for the accident. In such instances, the cyclist’s actions during and leading up to the accident may affect the amount of compensation received.

Under South Carolina law, contributory negligence and comparative negligence apply when more than one party contributes to an accident. Contributory negligence may prevent a cyclist from collecting damages for their injuries if they are more at-fault for the accident than the driver of the vehicle that struck them. The cyclist may still receive legal compensation if their contribution to the accident is equal to or less than that of the driver. Comparative negligence decides how negligent each party is to the crash. The cyclist receives compensation minus the percentage of fault they had in the accident.

Filing a Lawsuit

When you or a loved one was hit by a car while riding a bicycle, you may be entitled to receive compensation for your injuries and recover damages for things like:

• Lost wages
• Time off from work or school
• Tuition
• Pain and suffering
• Emotional distress
• Continuing medical treatment

You may need to file a lawsuit to recover compensation for damages. Frequently, lawsuits are complex and time-consuming. The legal process requires knowledge of the law, court procedures and legal analysis. To help you navigate the complicated legal landscape, you should hire an experienced bicycle accident attorney of the Steinberg Law Firm.

Hiring an Attorney

If you or someone you love was hit by a car while riding a bicycle, you may be entitled to compensation and damages. To help you understand your rights, the Steinberg Law Firm stands ready to help. Contact the experienced South Carolina attorneys of the Steinberg Law Firm at (843) 720-2800 to protect your rights and help you with your case.