Silver car hits cyclist, causing a Bicycle accident in the road

Most people have been riding a bike since they were kids. So people might not always think of the risk involved with Georgia bicycle accidents. Cyclists in high-traffic areas can get severely injured in Georgia bicycle accidents, leaving them with medical bills, missed work, and pain. If you were injured in a bicycle crash that wasn’t your fault, you could be eligible for compensation. The at-fault party may be responsible for paying for your medical expenses, lost income, and emotional distress. But this requires a Georgia bicycle accident lawyer to figure out who’s liable, negotiate a settlement with their insurance company, and even take your bicycle accident lawsuit to court if needed.

Call our law firm today to talk to one of our experienced personal injury lawyers and see how we can help.

What Are the Most Common Types of Injuries After a Bicycle Accident?

Bicyclists don’t have much protection other than a helmet and some pads during bicycle accidents. This leaves many Georgia bicycle accident victims with serious injuries — no matter how the collision was caused.

Some bicycle accident injuries our Georgia bicycle accident lawyers see most often include the following:

  • Internal injuries
  • Road rash and other wounds
  • Tooth fractures
  • Death

Duluth personal injury lawyer David Brauns and his paralegalIf you’ve suffered injuries in a Georgia bicycle accident, you may be owed financial recovery for your losses. A Georgia bicycle accident lawyer can review your personal injury case and determine if you’re able to seek compensation from any at-fault parties.

Read more about bicycle accidents and other motor vehicle collisions here: CARS | MOTORCYCLES | 18-WHEELERS | PEDESTRIANS | BUSSES/MASS TRANSIT

Why Should I Call a Personal Injury Lawyer After a Bicycle Accident in Georgia?

You may think your injuries are too minor or that hiring legal help won’t be worth it. But a Georgia bicycle accident claim can be more complicated than you may think.

personal injury attorney can review your Georgia bicycle accident case and do the following for you:

  • Investigate your claim — The first step for your Atlanta bicycle accident lawyer will likely be to determine who is responsible for the accident. This could be a reckless driver, a bike manufacturer, or a city that didn’t fix potholes.
  • Gather evidence — A bicycle accident lawyer can easily track down police reports, eyewitness statements, medical records, surveillance footage, and other documentation to support your claim.
  • Communicate with the insurance companies —  Insurance companies are just looking for ways to pay you less or not at all. It’s best to have legal representation to make sure they take you seriously and you don’t say anything you shouldn’t. This allows you to focus on your recovery while your attorney takes care of the rest.
  • Prove liability — You’re going to need to explain how the at-fault party is liable for your injuries. This usually means showing how their negligence led to the bike accident and injured you. Negligence is proven by showing they owed you a duty of care and failed that duty, which caused the accident and resulting damages.
  • Calculate your losses — A bicycle accident attorney can collect your medical bills, paychecks showing lost wages, and other evidence to estimate the damages you’ve suffered from the accident. They can even try to put a number on your pain and emotional suffering. Once your bicycle accident attorney has a total of your losses, they can pursue a settlement to cover that amount.
  • Take your case to court — If your bicycle accident lawyer can’t negotiate a fair settlement, they can file a personal injury lawsuit for your Georgia bicycle accident injuries. Your Georgia bicycle accident lawyer can then present your case in court and try to get you the compensation you need and deserve.

It’s easy to get overwhelmed with a bicycle accident claim while you’re also dealing with recovery and getting your life back to normal. Medical bills can be hard to handle when you can’t work because of your injuries.

You could be able to recover financial compensation for losses after a Georgia bicycle accident such as the following:

You don’t need to worry about how you’re going to handle your financial losses while you’re healing. Contact one of our Georgia bicycle accident lawyers to find out how to file a claim and what compensation you may be owed.

Bicycle Laws in Georgia

Georgia’s laws consider bicycles to be vehicles, so many of the same rules that apply to regular drivers are also for cyclists.

Some of Georgia’s bike accident laws outline the following:

  • Bicyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic.
  • Bike riders must be as far right on the road as they can.
  • Only bikes can be in bike lanes.
  • No one over the age of 12 can ride on sidewalks.
  • Every bicycle rider must have a seat, and no one can ride on handlebars.
  • Bikes must have lights on the front and back at night.
  • Bicyclists under age 16 must wear helmets.
  • Bicycle riders must signal that they’re turning with arm signals.
  • Cars must leave at least three feet between them and the cyclists when passing.
  • Cars must yield to bikes in a bike lane.

It’s important to follow all bike laws to avoid bicycle accidents. However, collisions can still happen even if you do everything right. Bikes don’t have any protection, and they’re easier to miss than a car. This can put cyclists at a higher risk of severe injury or even death in a bicycle accident. If you were hurt in a bicycle crash that someone else caused, you may be able to demand compensation for your losses.

Hit-and-Run Bike Accidents in Georgia

Some drivers are afraid of the consequences of hitting a bicyclist. They may try to run from the scene to avoid this. You and all others involved should stay at the location until the police get there. If they leave before the police get there, give the officers all the information you have. Try to write down the driver’s license plate number, the color and make of their car, and any other information you can get before they leave.

If they find the driver, you may be able to pursue a bicycle accident lawsuit. You could possibly collect compensation for your financial losses and emotional suffering, as well as press criminal charges. A knowledgeable personal injury lawyer can investigate your hit-and-run bicycle accident and determine if you have a personal injury claim.

What Should a Bicycle Accident Victim After Getting Hurt?

If you’re involved in a bicycle crash, get to safety first. But try not to move yourself or your bike too much. You don’t know how severe your injuries are yet, and you want to try and preserve evidence.

You can also follow these steps after a bicycle accident:

  • Call the police — You should contact the police and have emergency services come even for a minor accident. The police can make a report and document any evidence. Emergency services can also evaluate you and be sure you’re safe to go home. If not, they can take you to the emergency room to be treated.
  • See a doctor — If your injuries aren’t too severe, still see a medical professional as soon as possible. You never know what internal injuries you may have or what symptoms may come up. It’s important to have all of your injuries documented and connected to the accident.
  • Collect evidence — While still at the scene, get the contact information of the at-fault party and any witnesses. You should also get photos and videos of the scene, your bike, and any other vehicles.
  • Contact a compassionate bicycle accident lawyer — It’s best to get a lawyer before talking to insurance companies. They can handle all communication and investigate the accident for you.

If you have questions at any point in the process, the legal team at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC is available. We can give you transparent guidance and provide you with the resources you need to make the best decisions for your claim.

Call Our Bicycle Accident Lawyers in Georgia For a Free Consultation

If you got hurt in a bike crash, you may have a long road to recovery ahead of you. Our personal injury attorneys can make the bicycle accident claim process a lot easier on you. While you’re healing, an injury attorney from our law firm can take care of the process from start to finish. They can help you seek financial recovery for your bicycle accident injuries and make sure you get the help you need.

If you’re an injured cyclist, contact us today to talk to one of our Georgia bicycle accident attorneys.