If you are a bicyclist who was injured by a driver’s carelessness, you could hold them liable both for your treatment expenses and for your pain and suffering. However, you do not have to go about that process alone.
An Alpharetta bicycle accident lawyer can defend your rights throughout the process of filing a personal injury suit. Bader Scott Injury Lawyers serves Georgia victims who suffered as a result of someone else’s careless actions. Call our office today at (404) 888-8888 to set up a free consultation and to learn how we may be able to start fighting for you.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents
The motto for drivers and bicyclists is “share the road.” Unfortunately, when a driver does not heed that advice, the bicyclist may be at risk for a serious collision. Drivers can collide with bicyclists in a variety of scenarios, due to:
- Failure to yield or stop
- Ignoring traffic signals or signs
- Turning in front of a bicycle
- Cutting into the bike lane
- Distracted driving
- Poor road conditions
The Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §40-6-56 requires that drivers allow at least three feet of space between a car and a bicycle when passing a bicyclist. Any driver that fails to leave a safe distance is not respecting the rules of the road or the safety of the bicyclist and could be held liable.
Moreover, traditional traffic violations apply in bicycle accidents the same as they would in any other vehicle collision. Failure to obey traffic laws, signals, or signs puts other drivers, bicyclists, and even pedestrians at risk, and represents the absence of proper care. A lawyer may be able to use such evidence of negligence to analyze and build your case.
For a free legal consultation with a bicycle accidents lawyer serving Alpharetta, call (404) 888-8888
Holding a City or State Responsible
Some bicycle accidents happen due to poor road conditions. Road hazards can include:
- Potholes
- Lack of street lighting
- Lack of, unclear, or obstructed signage
- Poor drainage
- Overgrowth blocking roadways or signs
While cars can weather some road hazards, such as potholes or puddles caused by poor drainage, bicycles do not fare as well. Poorly maintained roads can result in serious injury for a cyclist and may leave you hurting physically and financially. While this sometimes leads to a collision with a vehicle, some bicycle accidents may not involve another party, leaving you wondering who is responsible.
In some cases, you may be able to sue the city, county, or state for failing to or improperly maintaining a roadway. However, these suits can be challenging, as OCGA §32-4-93 does protect a municipality from being held liable for poor road conditions. One exception to this protection is if the city, county, or state was aware of the hazard and did not repair it within a reasonable amount of time.
Proving a liability suit like this can be complex. Contact the team at Bader Scott Injury Lawyers to learn if you may have a case at (404) 888-8888.
Alpharetta Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
Bike Accident Injuries Can Change Your Life
Perhaps even more so than car accidents, bicycle accidents can easily lead to life-altering injuries.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that, despite bicycle trips making up only 1% of travel in the United States, bicyclists are at very high risk for injury and death in crashes, especially compared to the drivers of vehicles with whom they share the road. As bicyclists are not protected by the sides of a car, they are often colliding with a much larger, faster vehicle. Bicyclists can also be harder to see on the road.
Injuries in bicycle accidents can range from minor to life-threatening, including:
- Bruising
- Lacerations
- Road burn
- Strains and sprains
- Torn muscles and ligaments
- Broken bones
- Spine injuries
- Brain injuries
Many of these injuries could involve hospital visits, imaging and diagnostic tests, rehabilitation and physical therapy, and other long-term physical consequences. If your injury requires a long recovery process that interferes with your job, you may have to take time off of work or even lose employment.
These consequences may be the fault of a careless driver and you deserve the opportunity to pursue justice. A bicycle personal injury suit could compensate you for these medical costs and lifestyle changes.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Unfortunately, some bicycle accidents result in severe injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries (TBI). A TBI can range from a mild case, such as a concussion, to a severe case, like paralysis and coma.
The Mayo Clinic even reports that some TBI symptoms may not become apparent until days or weeks later, making the injuries challenging to diagnose and treat. TBI cases can be especially hard on the victim and their family, requiring costly imaging tests, lengthy recoveries, and sometimes permanently altered lifestyles.
If you suffered a TBI as a result of your bicycle accident, an Alpharetta bicycle accident lawyer can stand up for your right to damages after such a life-changing injury.
Minor Injuries Are Still Injuries
If your injuries following a bike accident were minor, you may still be entitled to recover your losses. Even soft tissue injuries like bruises, sprains, and strains negatively impact and interfere with your life. If these injuries were caused by a driver’s negligence, you may have grounds for a possible personal injury suit in the eyes of the law.
Remember that you have a limited amount of time to file your injury claim. According to OCGA §9-3-33, you have up to two years to do so.
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Do Not Wait to Receive Your Free Evaluation
You may have shared the road and respected the rules, but the other party did not. You can work to hold them responsible.
With the help of an Alpharetta bicycle accident lawyer, you can take the first steps toward recovering your losses following an accident. At Bader Scott Injury Lawyers, our bicycle accident attorneys and legal team can gather the necessary evidence, file your paperwork, interview witnesses and specialists, track down your medical records, and prepare your case.
Your case evaluation is free, so do not hesitate to contact our office for more information. Call (404) 888-8888 to get started.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form