Charleston Bicycle Accident Lawyer Stephen A. Longo
We represent injured cyclists and families throughout the Charleston area
Charleston is one of the most bicycle-friendly cities in the South. Cyclists commute through the neighborhoods of the Peninsula, ride the Lowcountry trails and share the roads with cars and trucks throughout the greater Charleston area. But not every driver shares the road responsibly. When a driver cuts off a cyclist, opens a car door without looking, or fails to give a rider adequate space, the results can be devastating.
Bicycle accident injuries are often serious because cyclists, like pedestrians, have almost no protection in a collision. Even a relatively low-speed impact can cause head injuries, broken bones, torn ligaments, and road rash requiring skin grafts. And when the crash happens at speed, on a busy road, at an intersection, or near a bridge, the injuries can be life-altering or fatal.
The Longo Firm, LLC represents injured cyclists throughout the Charleston area. We know how to investigate bicycle accident claims, how to prove fault and how to fight for the full financial compensation our clients deserve under South Carolina law. If a driver’s negligence put you on the ground, we will fight to hold them accountable.
What causes most bicycle accidents in the Charleston area?
Charleston bicycle accidents often occur because of errors made by other drivers. In most cases, drivers behave in a reckless or negligent manner, resulting in a serious Charleston bicycle crash. Common causes include:
- Dooring – a driver or passenger opens a car door directly into a cyclist’s path without looking.
- Failure to yield – a driver turns without checking for cyclists in a bike lane or at an intersection.
- Following too closely – a driver tailgates a cyclist instead of giving them adequate space.
- Driver inattention – a driver on their phone fails to notice a cyclist until it’s too late to stop.
- Road rage – an aggressive driver deliberately or recklessly puts a cyclist at risk.
- Poor road conditions – dangerous pavement, missing signage or inadequate bike lane markings contribute to a crash.
How do South Carolina bicycle laws affect your injury claim?
South Carolina requires that all drivers exercise due care to avoid colliding with any pedestrian or cyclist on the road. This means that even in situations where a specific traffic rule violation cannot be identified, a driver who failed to notice a cyclist who was clearly visible, who misjudged the space needed to pass safely or who was distracted at the time of the crash may still be found negligent. This broader duty of care standard gives injury attorneys multiple avenues to establish fault in bicycle accident cases, even when the circumstances are disputed.
Under South Carolina law, bicycles are considered vehicles and cyclists have the same rights and responsibilities on the road as drivers. Drivers are required to give cyclists a minimum of three feet of clearance when passing. If a driver violates that rule or commits any other traffic violation that leads to a bicycle accident, that violation can be powerful evidence of negligence in your injury claim.
Insurance companies often try to blame cyclists for accidents, arguing that the rider wasn’t visible, was riding erratically or contributed to the crash. We know this tactic well. Our job is to build the evidence that tells the true story of what happened, hold the at-fault driver responsible and make sure you receive the compensation you deserve.
How much is my Charleston bicycle accident claim worth?
The value of a bicycle accident claim in Charleston depends on the nature and severity of your injuries, the impact the crash has had on your ability to work and live normally and the available insurance coverage. Cyclists who suffer serious injuries such as traumatic brain injuries, spinal damage, multiple fractures or injuries requiring surgery often have claims with significant value, both for their economic losses and for the pain and suffering the crash has caused.
South Carolina’s modified comparative negligence rules apply to bicycle accident cases just as they do to other injury claims. This means that if an insurance company argues you were partly at fault, your recovery could be reduced by your percentage of fault. Insurers frequently try to blame cyclists to lower what they must pay. An experienced lawyer can push back against this tactic by building a case rooted in evidence, traffic law and the facts of the crash.
The best way to understand the realistic value of your Charleston bicycle accident claim is to speak with an attorney who has handled these cases and knows how South Carolina law applies to them. Attorney Longo will review the full picture of your injuries, your losses, and how the crash occurred and provide an honest assessment of what your case may be worth. There is no cost to find out.
Was a negligent driver responsible for your bicycle crash in Charleston?
If a driver’s failure to share the road responsibly caused your Charleston bicycle accident, that driver should be held accountable for their actions. South Carolina’s laws protect cyclists, and we know how to use them.
Why do clients trust our firm? We build cases around physical evidence, the traffic laws that were violated and the impact your injuries have had on every part of your life. We also take a personalized approach at The Longo Firm, LLC. Your best interests always come first here.
Discover what we can do for you. Contact us and schedule your free case evaluation with attorney Longo. He will review the facts of your crash, explain your legal options and develop a personalized legal strategy focused on getting you the financial compensation you deserve. You pay nothing unless we recover compensation for you.
The Longo Firm, LLC – results matter here.