Moncks Corner Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Politicians seldom try to make the roads safer for bicyclists. But the Moncks Corner bicycle accident lawyer at The Stanley Law Group is dedicated to victims.
Politicians have the tools to reduce or eliminate bicycle and pedestrian accidents. In fact, many have announced ambitious “Vision Zero” or other such plans that have this goal. Traffic calming measures, like lower speed limits, wider bike lanes, longer red lights, and speed bumps could eliminate fatal bicycle wrecks almost overnight. But many drivers oppose such measures, a phenomenon known as bikelash. Furthermore, some of these safety initiatives do more harm than good. More on that below.
Modified safety plans could significantly reduce the number of bicycle accidents in South Carolina. But this reduction is little consolation to the victims of these crashes. So, a Moncks Corner bicycle accident lawyer works hard to obtain the financial compensation these victims need and deserve.
Moncks Corner Bicycle Accident Lawyers and Liability Issues
Compensation usually includes money for economic losses, such as medical bills, and noneconomic losses, such as pain and suffering. These damages are available if a Moncks Corner bicycle accident lawyer proves negligence, or a lack of care, by a preponderance of the evidence, or more likely than not.
Ordinary negligence is based on a duty of care. Most drivers have a duty of reasonable care in most situations. They must be at their best, physically, mentally, and otherwise, when they get behind the wheel. Furthermore, they must always drive defensively.
Motorists breach their duty of care when they drive aggressively or while impaired. Speeding is the most common kind of aggressive driving. Alcohol is the most common source of driver impairment.
If the breach substantially causes damages, compensation is available. There’s a difference between a substantial cause and a contributing cause. Bad weather, such as wet roads, often contributes to bicycle crashes. But the driver’s excessive speed substantially causes these crashes.
Negligence per se is a violation of a safety law. If emergency responders issue a citation, and that violation substantially causes injury, as outlined above, the tortfeasor (negligent driver) could be liable for damages as a matter of law.
Do Bicycle Safety Measures Help or Hurt?
Most people assume designated bicycle lanes and helmet laws could reduce the number of bicycle accidents. These assumptions, like many other assumptions, are often untrue.
Designated bicycle lanes set apart by concrete pillars give bicyclists more room to operate. They also reduce driver visibility, especially if a motorist is turning right. Many drivers primarily look to the left in these situations. If a pillar shields a bicyclist, the driver probably won’t see the bicyclist.
This visibility issue does not excuse negligence. If anything, drivers have a duty to slow down and use even more caution in these situations.
Helmet laws could be counterproductive as well. When many drivers see bicyclists wearing helmets, they subconsciously believe the rider could survive a crash. Therefore, the driver takes unnecessary chances.
Such complexities underscore the need for a Moncks Corner bicycle accident lawyer. These claims are much too intricate to leave to an inexperienced lawyer.
Reach Out to a Hard-Working Berkeley County Lawyer
Injury victims are entitled to significant compensation. For a free consultation with an experienced Moncks Corner bicycle accident lawyer, contact The Stanley Law Group. We’ve been representing injured victims in South Carolina for more than thirty years.
