Injured in a bicycle crash? Don’t let insurers decide your future. Contact Galbavy Law and protect your rights.
Cyclists in North Carolina face risks every time they ride, whether navigating city streets in Charlotte and Raleigh or rural highways near Greensboro and Asheville. A single careless driver can turn an ordinary trip into a life-changing accident.
Galbavy Law has recovered over $25 million for injured clients across the state, including many cyclists with orthopedic injuries, multiple surgeries, or permanent impairments. The firm is experienced in handling claims under NC’s strict contributory negligence rule, which insurers often exploit by blaming riders for minor mistakes such as failing to signal or riding outside a bike lane.
With a deep understanding of both the law and the medical realities of cycling injuries, Galbavy Law builds strong claims that reflect the actual impact of a crash. Cyclists have the same rights to the road as any other motorist, and the firm is committed to ensuring those rights are fully protected.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident anywhere in North Carolina, please seek legal advice. In that case, Galbavy Law offers the experience and advocacy needed to move forward with clarity and confidence.
After a bicycle crash, riders and families are often left with pressing questions: Can I hold the driver accountable? Who will pay my medical bills? What if the insurer says I was partly at fault? The answers matter because they directly shape your ability to recover physically, financially, and emotionally.
Cyclists in North Carolina have the same legal rights as drivers to use public streets and highways. The law requires motorists to respect your presence on the road, yield when appropriate, and operate their vehicles safely.
Enforcing these rights after a crash is rarely simple. Insurance companies often deny responsibility or try to minimize damages. Having an attorney ensures your rights are not ignored or undervalued.
North Carolina applies one of the strictest negligence standards in the country. Even if you are only 1% at fault, you could lose your right to compensation.
At Galbavy Law, we push back by gathering evidence, consulting experts, and showing how the crash truly occurred. Our goal is to prevent insurers from unfairly shifting blame onto the cyclist.
Cyclists are entitled to seek compensation for both economic and non-economic damages. These cover the full range of losses suffered after a crash.
The costs of a serious bicycle accident often extend for years. Pursuing every available category of compensation ensures you are not left shouldering these burdens alone.
Accidents are not always the fault of just one driver. In many cases, multiple parties may share responsibility.
Identifying all liable parties is essential, especially when damages are severe. More than one source of insurance coverage may be necessary to provide complete and fair compensation.
Not every at-fault driver carries enough insurance, or any at all. That’s where your own coverage may help.
Understanding how your own policy applies can make the difference between being left with unpaid bills and securing the resources needed for recovery.
Your rights after a bicycle accident go beyond legal definitions; they represent your ability to heal, support your family, and move forward.
At Galbavy Law, we make it our mission to explain and aggressively enforce those rights clearly. From gathering evidence to counter insurer tactics to pursuing full compensation in court, we stand with cyclists every step of the way. Every rider deserves fair treatment and has the right to have their rights protected.
The days and weeks following a bicycle accident are often overwhelming. Victims are managing hospital visits, follow-up care, and the emotional shock of what has happened. At the same time, critical steps must be taken to protect the right to pursue compensation. Understanding how the claims process works in North Carolina is the key to avoiding mistakes that insurance companies will try to use against you.
At Galbavy Law, we support clients at every stage of the process—from collecting evidence and managing paperwork to negotiating with insurers and representing clients in court. We ensure that our clients are informed about the status of their claims and the steps they should take next. Bicycle accident victims require strong legal support, clear guidance, and reassurance during these stressful times.
Every year, cyclists across North Carolina share the road with thousands of cars, trucks, and buses. Unfortunately, this mix of vehicles creates constant risks. When drivers fail to follow the rules of the road or when roads are not properly maintained, the result is often a devastating collision for the cyclist, who has little more than a helmet for protection. At Galbavy Law, we have seen again and again that bicycle accidents are not random events. They are usually the direct result of negligence, poor decision-making, or dangerous conditions that could have been prevented.
One of the leading causes of bicycle crashes in Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, and other urban areas is when drivers fail to yield the right of way. Intersections are particularly dangerous. A typical scenario occurs when a driver turns left across traffic and misjudges the speed or visibility of a cyclist. Because bicycles are smaller and harder to see than cars, drivers often claim they “didn’t notice” the cyclist. For the rider, the outcome can be catastrophic: broken bones, head trauma, or even spinal cord injuries.
Distracted driving is another major factor. With smartphones, GPS devices, and in-car entertainment systems, drivers are often paying less attention to the road. A momentary glance at a text message can mean missing a cyclist traveling in the bike lane or crossing an intersection.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has consistently reported that distraction contributes to thousands of roadway injuries each year. When a driver is distracted, even for a few seconds, the results for a cyclist can be catastrophic.
On highways like I-40 and I-85, the speeds are so high that even a few seconds of distraction can result in a deadly collision. In neighborhoods around schools or shopping areas, distracted drivers often drift into bike lanes or fail to stop for cyclists in crosswalks.
Speeding plays a massive role in the severity of bicycle crashes. A car traveling five or ten miles per hour over the speed limit may not seem dangerous, but when it strikes a cyclist, the outcome is vastly different from that at lower speeds.
Aggressive behaviors, such as tailgating, cutting cyclists off, or attempting to “share” a lane dangerously close, are also common in busy urban centers like downtown Charlotte or Raleigh. Cyclists are entitled to a full lane under North Carolina law, but drivers often ignore this and pass too closely, creating unnecessary risks.
Alcohol and drug impairment remain a serious problem in North Carolina. Impaired drivers have slower reactions and poor judgment, which can lead to collisions, especially with cyclists.
These accidents are preventable, and victims may be eligible for compensation. Impaired driving slows reaction time and increases lane incursions, putting cyclists at heightened risk. For national context and data visualizations on impairment and other crash factors, see U.S. DOT’s Roadway Safety Problem (NRSS).
Bicycles often disappear into the blind spots of larger vehicles, especially SUVs, buses, and tractor-trailers. When drivers fail to check these blind spots before changing lanes, cyclists are at risk of being sideswiped or run off the road. On high-traffic roads like I-85 near Greensboro or I-40 near Raleigh, unsafe lane changes can cause multi-vehicle collisions that leave cyclists with severe orthopedic injuries.
Road hazards are a major cause of bicycle crashes. Unlike cars, bicycles react sharply to surface defects: potholes, cracked pavement, loose gravel, standing water, or scattered debris can trigger loss of control in an instant. In Asheville, mountain corridors introduce additional risks—tight switchbacks, steep grades, low-visibility fog, leaf litter, and winter ice in shaded curves. Municipalities and state agencies have a duty to maintain reasonably safe roadways; when they fail to repair dangerous conditions, post warnings, or clear debris within a reasonable time, they may share liability for resulting injuries. Documenting the hazard (photos, location, time of day) and reporting it promptly strengthens a claim and helps prevent future crashes. Proactive design and maintenance also matter: protected bike lanes, well-maintained shoulders, smooth utility cuts, proper drainage, high-contrast pavement markings, and timely signage at construction zones all reduce risk for cyclists and drivers alike. For practical guidance on roadway conditions, hazard reporting, and safe riding practices, see NCDOT’s Cycling Safety.
Adverse weather also contributes to bicycle accidents. Rain reduces visibility and makes road surfaces slippery. Fog in mountain regions near Asheville or Boone makes it harder for drivers to see cyclists. Even wind can be dangerous, pushing cyclists into traffic unexpectedly. While cyclists are expected to ride cautiously, drivers still have a duty to account for weather conditions and operate their vehicles safely.
In cities like Hickory, Charlotte, and Greensboro, dooring is a frequent hazard. This occurs when a driver or passenger opens a car door into the path of an oncoming cyclist. The cyclist often has no time to react and crashes into the door, sometimes being thrown into traffic. These accidents are preventable if vehicle occupants simply check for approaching cyclists before opening doors.
North Carolina boasts a strong cycling community, with group rides being a common occurrence. While these events build camaraderie, they also present risks. When one cyclist is struck or forced to swerve, chain reaction crashes can occur, injuring multiple riders. In some cases, another motorist may be at fault; however, the complexity of these accidents requires a careful investigation to determine responsibility.
Accidents involving young cyclists are particularly heartbreaking. In neighborhoods and school zones around Greensboro or Raleigh, children often ride bicycles to and from school. Drivers who speed, text, or fail to obey the law when passing crossing guards put these children at serious risk. Because children are less predictable riders, drivers have a heightened duty of care in these areas.
What all these causes share is that they are avoidable. Drivers can pay attention, slow down, and respect cyclists’ right to the road. Municipalities can maintain safe infrastructure. Companies can ensure their commercial drivers are trained to look for cyclists. Bicycle accidents are rarely actual accidents. They are often the direct result of choices made by drivers or institutions. For victims, the results include hospital stays, surgeries, permanent impairments, and the lifelong burden of recovery.
At Galbavy Law, we investigate every possible cause to ensure that no responsible party escapes accountability. Whether a crash happens at a busy Charlotte intersection, on I-40 near Raleigh, on a neighborhood street in Greensboro, or on a winding Asheville mountain road, we know the patterns and the evidence to look for. As a North Carolina bicycle accident attorney, David Galbavy takes pride in uncovering the truth behind every crash and building cases that provide cyclists with the strongest chance of achieving a successful recovery.
Cyclists have limited protection against cars and trucks, which means that bicycle accidents often result in severe injuries and long-lasting financial strain. North Carolina law allows riders to pursue compensation for these losses, but insurers frequently undervalue claims. A strong case ensures every category of damages is recognized.
Medical costs are often the most significant part of a claim.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), motor vehicle crashes are a leading cause of traumatic brain injuries. These injuries can lead to long-term disabilities that affect a person's thinking, mobility, and daily activities. This highlights the importance of documenting acute care, rehabilitation, and follow-up when filing a claim. For more information, visit the CDC's page on Traumatic Brain Injury — Get the Facts.
Crashes can prevent cyclists from working temporarily—or end careers permanently.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics tracks lost work time from injuries, which is key evidence when estimating wage loss. See BLS: Cases Involving Days Away from Work for median days lost and job characteristics that help quantify long-term earning impact.
While smaller than medical costs, property losses can add up.
These damages deserve documentation and recovery, not dismissal as minor losses.
Physical pain is immediate, but emotional trauma can last just as long.
Although insurers refer to these as “subjective,” courts recognize their seriousness. Strong testimony and medical support make them a vital part of recovery.
Many injured cyclists face long-term consequences like permanent impairment, including mobility-reducing injuries, nerve damage, or amputations, requiring careful legal support. Doctors assign impairment ratings based on the degree of functional loss, which affects the claim value.
The Social Security Administration assesses disabling conditions resulting from traffic accidents using its medical criteria outlined in the "Blue Book.” This resource highlights the severity and functional consequences of long-term impairments, which can be valuable for juries and insurers to comprehend ongoing limitations. For more details, refer to the SSA Blue Book — Adult Listings of Impairments.
When crashes involve reckless conduct—like drunk driving or street racing—victims may seek punitive damages.
The framework helps juries and insurers understand the seriousness of long-term impairments.
Insurance companies often minimize payouts by focusing only on immediate bills. Effective claims highlight the true scope of damages, supported by:
This comprehensive approach ensures victims receive compensation that reflects reality—not just a fraction of it.
For example, we often reference safety and injury prevention data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These resources clearly demonstrate the severity of bicycle crashes and the importance of fully compensating victims.
Galbavy Law has recovered $25 million for injured North Carolinians, including cyclists requiring multiple surgeries and lifelong care. These results stem from thoroughly preparing every case, fighting for undervalued settlements, and pursuing damages that accurately reflect the actual impact of a crash.
In bicycle accident cases, compensation isn't just about a quick payout; it's about securing resources to rebuild your life, protect your family, and face the future with confidence. Whether in Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Asheville, or along I-40 or I-85, the damages are the same; how they are pursued shapes the outcome. With Galbavy Law as your advocate, every aspect of recovery is recognized, documented, and vigorously pursued.
For injured cyclists, the biggest challenge after a crash isn't just recovery but navigating insurance claims. Following an accident in Charlotte or Raleigh, insurers begin to mount defenses. Understanding how bicycle accident claims work in North Carolina is vital, especially since the contributory negligence rule can deny recovery if even 1% of fault is assigned to the rider.
At Galbavy Law, the team has guided many clients. As a Board-Certified Workers’ Compensation specialist and former insurance defense attorney, I understand insurers’ strategies to limit payouts. This expertise allows them to prepare cases that effectively close gaps and present strong claims.
Recovering from an accident can be overwhelming. While managing medical and emotional needs, protect your right to compensation. Here’s how the state’s claims process works.
North Carolina law requires serious accidents to be reported, and police reports provide crucial details on the scene, witnesses, and fault. Cyclists should document the crash by taking photos of the site, bike, gear, and any injuries. Witness accounts and surveillance footage add support, but evidence disappears quickly. At Galbavy Law, we move quickly to preserve evidence and often utilize accident reconstruction experts to counter insurer claims of cyclist fault.
Keep copies of hospital bills, imaging, operative notes, and rehabilitation records—these prove causation, severity, and costs. Seek prompt evaluation after a crash; delays can worsen traumatic injuries, especially orthopedic trauma requiring surgery and structured rehab. As the CDC’s Trauma Care guidance explains, rapid, coordinated treatment improves outcomes and helps ensure your medical needs—and future costs—are fully documented within your claim..
A knowledgeable North Carolina bicycle accident attorney can help by:
Negotiation resolves many claims, but insurers can exploit victims. Adjusters may seem sympathetic to save money. Cyclists in Asheville or Charlotte recovering from accidents get offers for hospital bills, but often miss future surgeries, lost income, or emotional costs.
We negotiate from a position of strength, preparing every claim as if for trial to signal that low offers won’t pass. Thorough medical records, impairment ratings, and expert analyses increase leverage for a fair settlement. When a crash involves a truck or bus, we ground liability arguments in the federal safety regime that governs carriers, including the FMCSA’s Compliance, Safety, Accountability (CSA) program.
Our goal is to strengthen the case and anticipate insurer defenses. If it goes to trial, a jury assesses liability and damages. Trials are daunting but allow cyclists to tell their stories fully. Galbavy Law prepares clients for each step, ensuring confidence in presenting their case.
The North Carolina Judicial Branch provides public information about civil statutes and filing procedures. While these resources are helpful, navigating the system alone can be daunting, especially while recovering from serious injuries.
At Galbavy Law, we:
After a serious bicycle crash, many wonder if they need an attorney, assuming the facts are clear or the insurance company will act fairly. In NC, bike accident claims are often highly contested due to the state's strict laws, the severity of injuries, and biases among insurers. Insurers investigate quickly to find the rider's fault, risking claim denial. An experienced North Carolina bike lawyer can help ensure fair compensation and prevent costly bills.
Insurance companies aim to protect profits after bicycle accidents, with adjusters minimizing payouts by claiming rider negligence or error, often twisting minor details. Without an attorney, many claims are reduced or denied.
Our team of experienced attorneys, familiar with insurance strategies, can effectively counter these tactics. As a former insurance defense lawyer, our firm understands insurers' evaluation and negotiation methods. This understanding allows us to anticipate and respond to their moves, providing clients with a significant advantage.
The U.S. Department of Transportation publishes valuable information on roadway safety and crash statistics. These resources underscore the disproportionate risks faced by cyclists and provide context we often use in negotiations to counter attempts to minimize the dangers riders face.
Bicycle accidents often cause severe injuries like broken bones, torn ligaments, spinal injuries, or brain injuries. Many need surgeries, rehab, or lifelong care. Insurance companies often undervalue these by focusing only on immediate hospital bills, ignoring long-term costs and emotional toll.
An experienced bicycle injury attorney makes a difference. At Galbavy Law, we collaborate with surgeons, rehabilitation specialists, and vocational experts to document all the consequences of an injury. We ensure claims cover lost earning capacity, future surgeries, and ongoing costs.
The National Library of Medicine The National Library of Medicine offers authoritative resources on orthopedic trauma care and recovery, helping explain treatment pathways, rehabilitation goals, and long-term outcomes. Incorporating this medical evidence strengthens your case by showing how injuries affect mobility, work, and daily life, and why ongoing therapy and follow-up matter—as outlined in the NLM/MedlinePlus Rehabilitation guide.
Many bicycle accident cases are complicated by bias, with juries, witnesses, and insurers often assuming that cyclists are reckless or accept risks, making it harder to obtain fair compensation. Insurance companies exploit this bias, blaming cyclists for their injuries.
An experienced cyclist injury lawyer that NC riders trust, such as Galbavy Law, counters this by presenting evidence that shows riders followed the law, used safety gear, and were cautious. They also highlight the at-fault drivers' reckless behavior, including speeding and distracted driving. Focusing on facts rather than bias is crucial in bicycle injury claims.
NHTSA provides national data on bicycle crashes and safety, offering context for the risks cyclists face in collisions with motor vehicles and the factors most associated with severe outcomes. For recent nationwide counts, trends, and crash characteristics, including state and city breakouts, you can refer to the NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts: Bicyclists and Other Cyclists (2022 Data). This resource is invaluable for understanding the current landscape of bicycle safety.
North Carolina’s contributory negligence law is among the harshest. If a cyclist is even 1% responsible, they might be barred from compensation. Insurers often focus on minor details, like speeding or failing to stop. Without a lawyer, it's hard to counter these claims. At Galbavy Law, we use expert testimony, accident reports, and medical evidence to prove the driver’s fault. We prepare thoroughly, closing gaps before insurers can exploit them.
At Galbavy Law, we recognize the unique challenges faced by injured cyclists. David Galbavy is a Board-Certified Specialist in Workers’ Compensation—an honor achieved by only a small percentage of attorneys in the state—and has a background as a former insurance defense lawyer. This experience gives our firm valuable insight into the operations of insurers and how to counter their strategies effectively. Our team has successfully secured substantial settlements for injured clients, including cyclists dealing with serious injuries and long-term impairments.
Clients work directly with David and his team, not layers of staff. We take calls, answer questions, and prepare every case with the attention it deserves, whether your accident happened in Charlotte, Raleigh, Greensboro, Asheville, or along I-40 or I-85. We know the risks cyclists face and how to build strong claims.
Insurance companies bring professionals to protect their bottom line. Cyclists deserve the same level of advocacy. By hiring a bicycle accident lawyer you trust, you gain a partner committed to protecting your health, your future, and your right to fair treatment.
Take the first step today. Contact Galbavy Law or complete our online form to schedule a complimentary consultation. There are no upfront costs, and you pay nothing unless we win on your behalf. Your road to recovery begins with one conversation.
1 Prior results do not guarantee similar outcomes in future cases because each case is unique and must be evaluated separately. The only way we can assist you is for you to call us about your case.
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