Myrtle Beach Bicycle Accident Lawyer

As bicycles have become a more popular mode of transportation in Myrtle Beach, accidents caused by negligent drivers have also risen. Bicycle accidents can be catastrophic, often leaving riders with serious injuries that could take years to recover from.

Fortunately, our bicycle accident lawyers can help you recover compensation in your case, regardless of how the negligent driver injured you. Cyclists have a right to use the road and pathways, including the long stretches of shoreline Myrtle Beach offers. If you have been injured, protect your rights by getting medical treatment immediately after your accident, then speak with our team to get your case started.

Contact Burriss Ridgeway Injury Lawyers at (803) 991-4656 for a free case consultation with our bicycle accident lawyers.

How Bicycle Accidents Occur in Myrtle Beach

Bicyclists in Myrtle Beach must contend with many forms of driver negligence. Many drivers do not give bicycles on the road the proper attention they should and do not respect a cyclist’s right to use the road. Fortunately, our bicycle accident attorneys can help you get justice if a driver causes you harm. The following are the most common types of accidents that cause bicycle accident injuries in Myrtle Beach:

Distracted Driving

Distracted driving is a leading cause of bicycle accidents in Myrtle Beach. Drivers distracted by their cell phones or preoccupied with other tasks are less likely to see cyclists on the road. Often, distracted drivers do not have time to react properly and stop, which can lead to devastating injuries.

Running Traffic Lights and Stop Signs

If drivers run a red light or stop sign, it can cause catastrophic injuries to cyclists because they are not protected from impact when they are hit by cars. Many drivers assume they have the right-of-way when on the road. For this reason, riders should stay safe by obeying traffic signals at all times.

Illegal Lane Changes

Drivers who illegally change lanes in front of bicyclists are a major cause of bike accidents. A motorist may be driving in a designated bike lane when they decide to make an illegal lane change, either into or out of the bike lane. This dangerous maneuver can cause a collision with a bicyclist.

Improper Turns

When a vehicle makes an improper turn, they are responsible for the safety of all other vehicles involved. Drivers must yield to bicyclists before making turns and not make sudden movements that could cause a collision. However, accidents like these commonly occur as some drivers do not give the right-of-way to a cyclist. To avoid this accident, make sure the driver sees you before attempting to turn.

DUI

Drivers who have been drinking alcohol or taking drugs pose a serious threat to bicyclists on the road. They are less likely to pay attention to what is happening around them, increasing the odds that they will hit a bicyclist before they realize it. Alcohol slows reaction time and impairs judgment, making it even more important for cyclists to be extra cautious when sharing the road with drunk drivers.

Speeding

Speeding is another common cause of bicycle accidents in Myrtle Beach. Drivers sometimes speed up when they see an upcoming turn or stop sign to save time getting somewhere else. A speeding driver may not see a cyclist until it is too late and unable to stop in time before colliding with them. Speeding drivers are more likely than other motorists to be involved in a collision with a cyclist because they do not have as much control over their vehicles as those who drive at slower speeds.

What to Do After Suffering a Bicycle Accident Injury in Myrtle Beach

If you have been in a bicycle accident, there are some things you should do immediately afterward to ensure that your rights are protected.

Call the Police

It is important to call the police as soon as possible after an accident. The police will help secure the scene and document any evidence that may be lost if it is not preserved right away. The police will also take statements from all parties involved in the accident and collect witness accounts of what happened. Having this information on record helps when seeking compensation through an insurance company or filing a personal injury claim against the party that injured you.

Exchange Information with the Other Party

After calling the police, it is important that both parties exchange information with each other immediately following an accident. This includes names and addresses, insurance companies and policy numbers, driver’s license numbers, vehicle registration information, and contact information for witnesses who were present at the time of the crash.

This could be impossible to do if the other driver fled the scene of the accident. In the case of a hit-and-run, you should still try to exchange information with any witnesses who saw what happened and stayed on the scene, and most definitely call the police. The police will open a case and begin investigating your hit-and-run accident, which our firm can assist with through our own investigation.

Obtain Evidence at the Scene

Once this has been taken care of, obtain evidence at the scene of the accident by taking pictures or video if possible. It is important that you preserve all evidence related to the bike accident through pictures or video because it will be helpful when seeking compensation from the driver that injured you.

Get Medical Treatment Immediately

It is also critical to get medical care immediately after your accident. Because bicycle accidents are often serious, many victims will be transported to the emergency room via emergency medical services. However, you should still get care even if you think your injuries are minor. Many times, people do not realize the extent of their injuries until later on down the road.

It is also important that you get treated as soon as possible so you can begin documenting your case. Your medical records will be vital to proving your injuries and recovering compensation later.

Speak with Our Personal Injury Attorneys

Contact our firm today if you were involved in a bicycle accident caused by another party’s negligence. Our team understands the stresses and trauma many bicycle accident victims face. We can help alleviate some of the stress by managing your case and negotiating with insurance companies on your behalf. If an acceptable settlement cannot be reached, we are ready to take your case to trial.

Our Myrtle Beach Bicycle Accident Lawyers Can Help

Call our bicycle accident attorneys at Burriss Ridgeway Injury Lawyers today at (803) 991-4656 for a free case review.

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