While car accidents carry their own dangers, bicyclists face a greater chance of injury in the event of an accident with a motor vehicle. If you were injured in a bicycle accident and suspect your injuries would not have occurred if someone else had taken reasonable precautions, you could pursue damages with a personal injury claim.
Georgia residents can be aided by a Warner Robins bicycle accident lawyer, who can help you file, negotiate settlement offers, and even defend you in court. To make things even easier, Bader Scott Injury Lawyers offers free case reviews.
Call the office today to learn more at (404) 888-8888.
Same Rights, Different Outcomes
Cyclists are afforded the same rights as drivers, meaning cars must provide them with as much caution and respect as they would extend to other vehicles. However, in order for those rights and laws to protect cyclists, everyone on the road must abide by them.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) highlights common contributing factors that lead to bicycle accidents, including the following behaviors:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Failure to yield
- Driving under the influence
- Ignorance of local laws
These behaviors are risky when anyone is involved, but for cyclists, the damage can be significantly greater. Speeding alone is more dangerous, with cyclists more likely to die in a crash involving a speeding driver. In short, sharing the same rights with drivers does not mean sharing the same risks.
Laws in Georgia
The U.S. Department of Transportation emphasizes that the more space between a bike and a vehicle, the safer both parties. This recommendation is part of Georgia law, as drivers must pass a bicycle at a safe distance, according to O.C.G.A. § 40-6-56.
Respecting the space of a bicyclist is crucial to maintaining road safety. Not leaving enough room, cutting into a bike lane, or turning in front of a bicycle are all reckless driving behaviors that could be grounds for a lawsuit if an injury resulted.
Determining Negligence
Put simply, negligence means someone did not take reasonable precautions to minimize risks to others, whether through their action or inaction. For instance, choosing to run a red light or texting while driving could constitute negligence if they cause an accident and injuries. While one involves a deliberate choice to overtly disobey traffic rules and the other is an act of distraction, they represent a carelessness toward others on the road.
Therefore, bike accident negligence is found in accidents when another party demonstrated this kind of carelessness. To identify which party or parties to hold accountable, a Warner Robins bicycle accident lawyer can evaluate your case’s details and advise you of possible courses of action to pursue compensation.
For a free legal consultation with a bicycle accidents lawyer serving Warner Robins, call (404) 888-8888
Warner Robins Bicycle Accidents FAQs
What Should I Do at the Scene of a Bicycle Accident?What Is the Average Settlement for a Bicycle Accident?Where Do Most Bicycle Accidents Occur?What Should I Do if I Was Involved in a Bicycle Accident?Is Speeding a Common Cause of Bicycle Accidents?What Injuries Are Associated with Bicycle Accidents?Additional Accident Causes
Bicyclists may sustain injuries in an accident due to negligence under a number of circumstances. Some bicycle accidents involving only the single rider could be the result of product defects or poor road conditions. In some cases, these are also grounds for a lawsuit.
Product Defects
Tire blowouts, safety equipment failures, and manufacturing errors can all contribute to a bicycle accident. If you were doing everything right and the bike itself failed you, you may be able to hold a manufacturer liable. Your personal injury attorney can help research whether you’re the only person to experience a particular defect, determining if there is a design flaw or an error in just your bike or equipment. If you suspect your accident was caused by this kind of negligence, contact our team today.
Road Conditions
Single vehicle accidents are also influenced by the state of the roads. Dark roads in particular play a role in bicycle crashes, with 45% of cyclists killed in 2016 due to dark conditions, according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. Other road conditions that can contribute to an accident are:
- Potholes
- Obstructed or missing signage
- Broken or missing lighting
- Poor drainage
- Unsecured construction materials
If you encountered poor premises maintenance on private property and improper maintenance led to your accident, you could hold the property owner accountable. Public property may prove more challenging for such a case, as Georgia protects municipalities from being sued for road defects in most circumstances, according to O.C.G.A. § 32-4-93.
A lawyer can help you determine if your situation allows you to hold a city or state liable for your injuries. The office of Bader Scott Injury Lawyers can evaluate your claim. Call us today for your free consultation at (404) 888-8888.
Warner Robins Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
Consequences of Bicycle Accidents
One of the joys of riding a bicycle is the sense of physical independence and mobility it provides. Sadly, following an accident, those are exactly the aspects of life that may be diminished, sometimes with long-term complications. While ranging from minor to debilitating, bike injuries nonetheless represent a physical setback you should not have had to handle.
Some examples of bicycle injuries are:
- Bruises and lacerations
- Sprained or torn ligaments and muscles
- Road rash
- Dislocations
- Broken bones
- Disfiguring injuries
- Dental damage
- Brain and spine injuries
You may have lost your physical well-being in your accident, but the cost is more than just the medical bills. Your injuries may have forced you to miss work or lose your job. They may have permanently altered the way you look or move. They could have robbed you of time, energy, and independence. Those are all aspects taken into account by Bader Scott Injury Lawyers when evaluating the value of your case.
In Georgia, you have a limited amount of time to file a personal injury claim. According to O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, you have two years after the accident to do so. A lawyer can help ensure that your case meets any important deadlines.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Defending Your Rights on the Road And in Court
As a cyclist, you have the right to be treated with the same respect on the road as a motorist. Your accident and injuries may demonstrate that you were not accorded that respect. A Warner Robins bicycle accident lawyer can aid Georgia accident victims in pursuing compensation. What’s more, Bader Scott Injury Lawyers offers an initial case evaluation for free. Call us today at (404) 888-8888.
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