The clock is running on your time to file a claim after your accident in Beckley, WV. Contact our attorneys from Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers by calling (304) 252-5990 today to schedule a free consultation with a Beckley bicycle accident attorney and learn more about how we may be able to help you.
The scenery in Beckley, West Virginia, makes the perfect backdrop for bicycle riding. However, a negligent driver can turn an enjoyable bike ride into a nightmare. If you have been hurt in a bicycle accident in Beckley, WV, you may be owed significant compensation for your injuries.
Medical bills and lost wages are just some of the losses you may suffer after a bicycle accident. You could also be entitled to pain and suffering damages as well. You need an experienced Beckley bicycle accident lawyer who will fight to get you the compensation you are owed.
How Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers Can Help After an Accident in Beckley
Residents of Beckley, West Virginia know they can trust us to handle all their personal injury claims, including car accidents, bicycle accidents, slip and fall accidents, and more. The team at Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers has over 315 years of experience helping injury victims get the compensation they deserve.
We have recovered hundreds of millions of dollars for other injury victims, and we are ready to help you, too.
Some of the ways we can help with your claim include:
- Answering all your questions about your legal options and giving you sound legal advice
- Thoroughly investigating the cause of your bicycle accident to determine who was at fault
- Engaging experts as necessary who can testify about your accident or your injuries
- Handling all discussions with the insurance company and the defense
- Aggressively negotiating a settlement that compensates you for all your damages
- Filing a lawsuit and arguing your case in front of a jury when the insurance company refuses to negotiate
If you have been hurt in a bicycle accident, contact us today to schedule your free consultation with a Beckley personal injury attorney. Our Beckley bicycle accident lawyers will give you the attention you deserve and help put together a winning strategy for your claim.
What is My Bicycle Accident Case Worth?
The injuries sustained in bicycle accidents are all unique, so the value of each bicycle accident case is also unique. The factor that has the most influence on the value of your case is the severity of your injuries. However, a similar injury can affect different victims very differently.
Cases involving more severe injuries, complications, and longer recovery times will typically be worth more than cases involving less severe injuries. Some other factors that affect the value of your case are:
- Duration of your recovery
- The total amount of your medical bills
- How much time you missed from work
- The value of your lost wages
- Whether you will be able to go back to work
- The permanent or lasting effects of your injuries
- How your daily life has been impacted by your injuries
- How your injuries have affected your relationships with friends and family
- The amount of insurance available
If you want to get an accurate estimate of your case’s value, you should seek the help of an experienced bicycle accident lawyer. Contact Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers for a free case evaluation, and let us give you an estimate of how much compensation you may be owed.
What Kind of Damages Are Available to Accident Victims?
Victims who have been hurt in a bicycle accident are entitled to recover their economic damages and non-economic damages. Economic damages are the financial losses the victim suffered because of the accident. These types of damages have a specific dollar value, and that value is easily proven through receipts, bills, invoices, and other documentation.
Some common examples of economic damages include:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Rehabilitation
- Physical therapy
- Home health care
On the other hand, non-economic damages are more intangible. These types of damages compensate the victim for their physical and emotional suffering. These damages can be much harder to calculate since they do not have a specific financial value.
Some examples of non-economic damages are:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Anxiety
- PTSD
- Depression
- Permanent scarring
- Disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
The value of your non-economic damages is often much higher than your economic damages. In some cases, they can be worth as much as five times your financial losses. Don’t let the insurance company minimize your injuries and make you a lowball settlement offer. Let us help you get compensated fairly for all the damages resulting from your accident.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
After your bicycle accident, you may already be in a financial bind. You may be waiting to pay medical bills, and your income may have taken a hit if you missed time from work. You might think that hiring a lawyer is just too expensive to even consider.
The good news is that hiring a bicycle accident lawyer will not usually cost you any money upfront. Most personal injury lawyers, including bicycle accident lawyers, work on a contingency fee basis. This means that the lawyer will take their fee as a portion of any money recovered by the client.
Contingency fees in bicycle accident cases usually range anywhere from 25% to 50% of the total recovery.
Some factors that influence the amount of the fee are:
- Location
- Complexity of the case
- Lawyer’s experience
- Lawyer’s success rate
- Disposition of the case (settlement or trial)
If you need help with your case but think you can’t afford a lawyer, contact us today. We never charge an attorney’s fee unless we win your case. Give us a call to schedule your free consultation.
Can I Recover Compensation If I’m Being Blamed For a Bicycle Accident in West Virginia?
Yes, you may still be able to recover compensation even if you are being blamed for your accident. West Virginia has adopted a modified comparative fault rule for most types of accident cases. Under this rule, the victim will not be barred from getting compensation “unless the plaintiff’s fault is greater than the combined fault of all other persons responsible.”
Generally, this means that you must be no more than 50% responsible for your accident in order to still have a right to damages. If you are found to share some of the fault, your recovery will be reduced by your portion of the fault.
For example, imagine you are injured in an accident and suffer $10,000 in damages. You are found to be 20% responsible for the accident. In that case, you would still be able to recover 80%, or $8,000, of your damages from the other responsible parties.
We’ll Fight to Recover Compensation For All Of Your Bicycle Accident Injuries
A bicyclist is no match for a motor vehicle, and bicycle accidents often result in devastating injuries. Some bicycle accident victims are left dealing with the effects of their injuries for years down the road.
Some common injuries sustained in these accidents include:
- Brain injuries
- Fractures or broken bones
- Severe lacerations
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputations
- Neck injuries
- Shoulder and wrist injuries
- Knee and ankle injuries
- Wrongful death
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, let the experienced team at Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers help you get the compensation you deserve for all your injuries.
What Causes Most Bicycle Accidents in Beckley, West Virginia?
Accidents can happen in an instant, especially given the speed difference between a bicycle and a motor vehicle. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the leading cause of fatal bicycle accidents is failing to yield the right of way.
Some additional causes of bike accidents are:
- Speeding
- Poor visibility
- Distracted driving
- Not allowing a safe passing distance
- Riding against traffic
- Improper lane changes
Proving your case and getting compensation will require you to show the cause of the accident. Let us perform an investigation to determine the specific cause of your crash and hold the responsible party accountable.
How Long Do I Have to File a Lawsuit After a Bicycle Accident in West Virginia?
The law in West Virginia allows you two years to file a lawsuit after a bicycle accident. This two-year statute of limitations applies to most personal injury claims. If you fail to file a lawsuit before the two-year limit expires, you could lose your right to recover any compensation.
There could be times when the deadline is shorter or longer than the standard rule. This is why it is so important to seek the help of an experienced attorney as soon after your accident as possible. The team at Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers can help you make sure you do not miss the deadline and lose your right to compensation.
Contact Our Beckley Bicycle Accident Lawyers For a Free Consultation
If you have been hurt in a bicycle accident in Beckley, West Virginia, your time to file a claim is limited. Contact Farmer, Cline & Campbell Personal Injury Lawyers today to let us help you with every aspect of your claim. Schedule your free consultation with a Beckley bicycle accident lawyer now to learn more about how we can help.
