Bicycle Accident Injury Lawyers in Virginia Beach

Helmets, especially those with facial protection, can mitigate head and facial injuries. But cyclists can still sustain severe, life-altering injuries in accidents.

Beyond the proverbial skinned knees, bicyclists may suffer:

• Broken bones and fractures including fractured ribs
• Road rash (skin scraping and removal)
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) or concussions
• Facial injuries or partial blindness from debris impact
• Dental injuries
• Jaw fractures
• Neck and back injuries, potentially leading to partial or complete paralysis
• Crush injuries, including severe injuries to the arms, legs, hands, and feet
• Internal organ damage

Regrettably, many bicycle accident victims endure multiple injuries, often resulting in a lengthy and painful recovery process. Treatment may include hospitalization, physical therapy, chiropractic visits, surgery, and wearing a cast or boot, impacting your ability to work and care for your home and family.

Tragically, some bicyclists do not survive their injuries. In such cases, a bicycle accident attorney from Slaughter & Lupton Law can file a wrongful death lawsuit on behalf of your family, seeking compensation for such losses as loss of companionship and consortium, lost wages and earnings your loved one could have contributed to your family.

Who is Liable in a Bicycle Accident

The causes of bike accidents vary. Responsibility depends on the circumstances. In many cases, the at-fault party is a car or truck driver who was distracted. The distracted driver may have been texting while driving, interacting with their passengers, applying makeup using the sun visor mirror, playing with the radio, or any combination of other distracted behavior that led to not paying sufficient attention to fellow road users and especially the person riding the bicycle.

In accidents due to poor road conditions, in some cases, the local city or county government or private contractor responsible for road maintenance may share liability. Cyclists may incorrectly assume fault, believing that it was their responsibility since they were the sole party involved. However, if the entity responsible for road maintenance neglects a known dangerous road condition, that entity may be held accountable for damages caused by their negligence. Again, the laws differ between Virginia and North Carolina.

Similarly, if you cycle through a construction zone with debris left behind by the construction company, the company may also be liable for your accident. Debris and uneven surfaces left by third parties can and do cause wrecks! And what may be a small debris to the wheel of a large truck could have a catastrophic effect on a narrow bicycle wheel.

Your bicycle accident injury lawyer conducts an investigation into the cause of the accident to identify the causes, the responsible party, and the available insurance coverage for your loss. During your initial consultation, we identify and clarify the potential liability for your specific case.

Recovering Damages After a Bicycle Accident

If you have been involved in a bicycle accident, we are here to help you make sense of your options and get the compensation you deserve. It’s important to have peace of mind during this difficult time, and we are here to guide you through the process.

Recovery from an accident is almost never easy. Our team at Slaughter & Lupton Law, PLLC understands that the aftermath can be overwhelming and that an injured client’s finances are often strained following an injury. Financial recovery, like physical recovery, may be a long and complicated process.

In addition to economic damages, accident victims may also recover compensation for non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, emotional trauma, and mental anguish. Again, the types of damages recoverable differ between Virginia and North Carolina. It is critical to hire an attorney with significant courtroom experience in and understanding of the relevant state law. Injuries from a bicycle accident can cause anxiety, insomnia, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Because each case and client is different, it is important to hire a lawyer with significant trial experience and skilled in handling bicycle injury cases who will accurately value your claim and ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve.