Goldsboro Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Injured in a Bike Accident in Goldsboro, NC?

If you or someone you love was hit by a vehicle while riding a bicycle, you need a Goldsboro bicycle accident attorney to fight for you. At Pittman Agner, you won't work with just one attorney—you'll have our entire legal team making your case our mission. Our compassionate and assertive approach combines decades of combined experience with the resources needed to take on insurance companies and win the compensation you deserve.

Request a free consultation by calling (919) 893-0090or contacting us online.

Why Our Team Approach Makes the Difference After Your Bicycle Accident

When you're injured and overwhelmed, you need more than just legal advice—you need a comprehensive support system. Here's what our entire legal team brings to your case:

Immediate Response Team:

• On-scene investigators preserving crucial evidence before it disappears
• Medical care coordinators connecting you with bicycle injury specialists
• Insurance communication specialists handling all carrier interactions
• Case strategists developing your legal roadmap from day one

Proven Results Through Collaboration:

• Multiple attorneys reviewing every aspect of your case
• Dedicated paralegals managing documentation and deadlines
• Expert witness network for accident reconstruction and medical testimony
• Trial-ready litigators who insurance companies respect

This isn't just legal representation—it's a complete advocacy system designed around your recovery and maximum compensation.

Understanding Your Rights as a Cyclist in North Carolina

Bicycles are legally defined as vehicles in North Carolina. This means you have the same right to the road as cars, trucks, and motorcycles—and motorists have the same legal responsibilities toward you.

What This Means for Your Case:

When a driver hits you while cycling, they're not just causing an "accident"—they're violating your legal rights as a vehicle operator. Our team knows exactly how to use these laws to build your strongest possible case.

Your Protected Rights Include:

• Right to use public roadways (with few exceptions)
• Right to safe passing distance (minimum 3 feet in NC)
• Right to bicycle lanes without interference
• Right to protection at intersections and crosswalks

Insurance companies often try to minimize cyclists' rights. Our assertive legal team ensures your rights are fully protected and enforced.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Bicycles are defined as vehicles in North Carolina. This means that bicyclists have the same right to the road as cars, trucks, and other motor vehicles. This also means that motorists have the same responsibilities to bicyclists as they do to other vehicles. If a motorist fails to yield the right of way to a bicyclist, causing an accident, the motorist is liable for any damages.

Here are some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents involving drivers:

• Distracted driving: One of the leading causes of accidents involving drivers is distracted driving. When drivers are engaged in activities such as using mobile phones, eating, or adjusting vehicle controls, their attention diverts from the road, making them more likely to collide with cyclists.
• Failure to yield: Drivers may fail to yield the right-of-way to cyclists at intersections, crosswalks, or when making turns. This can result in accidents where drivers hit cyclists who have the right-of-way.
• Door collisions: Often referred to as "dooring," this type of accident occurs when a driver or passenger opens a car door without checking for approaching cyclists. The cyclist may collide with the open door or swerve into traffic to avoid it.
• Unsafe passing: Drivers sometimes attempt to overtake cyclists without providing adequate space. Insufficient passing distance can result in sideswipes or "right hooks" when drivers turn right across the path of a cyclist.
• Speeding: Excessive speed reduces the reaction time for drivers and makes it harder to avoid collisions with cyclists. High-speed impacts can cause severe injuries or fatalities for cyclists.
• Impaired driving: Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or certain medications significantly impairs a driver's judgment, coordination, and reaction times. Intoxicated or impaired drivers may have difficulty noticing cyclists or properly responding to their presence.
• Lack of awareness: Drivers who are not accustomed to sharing the road with cyclists may be less aware of their presence or have a limited understanding of how to safely interact with them. This lack of awareness can lead to accidents when drivers fail to anticipate or react appropriately to cyclist movements.
• Aggressive driving: Aggressive behavior by drivers, such as tailgating, honking, or deliberately passing too closely to cyclists, can create a hostile environment on the road. This aggression can escalate into accidents if drivers do not give cyclists sufficient space or force them into dangerous situations.
• Inadequate visibility: Drivers may have difficulty seeing cyclists, especially during low-light conditions, inclement weather, or when cyclists are not wearing reflective clothing. Poor visibility can result in drivers failing to notice cyclists or misjudging their distance and speed.

Who is Liable in a Bicycle Accident?

When a motorist fails to yield the right of way to a bicyclist, causing an injury, the motorist is liable for the damages. However, in other cases, multiple parties may share liability for an accident. Some of the parties that may be liable for your damages include:

• The driver of the vehicle that hit you
• The owner of the bicycle that you were riding
• The owner of the property where you were riding
• The manufacturer of the bicycle

The damages you can recover will depend on the specific circumstances of the accident. Our North Carolina bicycle accident attorneys can help you determine who is liable for your damages and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

Recovering Damages in a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit

The damages you can recover in a bicycle accident lawsuit will depend on the specific circumstances of the case. The damages you may be able to recover may include:

Immediate Financial Recovery:

• All medical expenses (emergency care, surgery, ongoing treatment)
• Lost wages from missed work during recovery
• Property damage (bicycle repair/replacement, gear, clothing)
• Transportation costs while unable to ride

Long-Term Compensation:

• Future medical care and rehabilitation needs
• Permanent disability compensation
• Lost earning capacity if injuries affect your career
• Pain and suffering for physical and emotional trauma

Catastrophic Injury Cases:

Bicycle accidents can result in life-changing injuries. Our team has extensive experience with:

• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
• Multiple fractures requiring surgery
• Road rash and permanent scarring

Frequently Asked Questions About Bicycle Accidents

How quickly should I contact your team?

Immediately. Our investigation team can preserve crucial evidence that disappears within days. The sooner we act, the stronger your case becomes. Don't let insurance companies use delays against you.

What if the police report blames me for the accident?

Police reports are not final determinations of fault. Our team regularly challenges inaccurate reports using accident reconstruction experts, witness testimony, and traffic law analysis. We've successfully overturned initial fault findings many times.

How do you handle cases where I wasn't wearing a helmet?

While North Carolina doesn't require adult helmet use, insurance companies often try to use this against cyclists. Our experienced team knows how to counter these arguments and focus on the driver's negligence, not your safety choices.

Will my case go to court?

Most bicycle accident cases settle without trial because insurance companies respect our team's courtroom reputation. When we do go to trial, you have our entire team's litigation experience working for you.

How much does your team cost?

Nothing upfront. We work on contingency, meaning you pay attorney fees only if we win your case. All consultations are completely free, and we advance all case costs during litigation.

Take Action Today to Protect Your Recovery

If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident, no matter how minor, or are facing medical bills, lost wages, or uncertainty about fault, immediate action is critical. Promptly contacting our Goldsboro bicycle accident team helps preserve evidence, secure essential medical documentation, and navigate insurance tactics that could otherwise harm your claim. From the moment you call, our experienced attorneys review your case, begin evidence preservation, handle all communications with insurers, and guide you toward the compensation you deserve. Don’t wait, let our team focus on your legal recovery so you can focus on healing.

Schedule a free consultation with our firm by calling (919) 893-0090 or contacting us online.