There are typically more bicycle accidents in the summer months than in the rest of the year combined, as the number of cyclists on the nation’s roads also increases at this time.
As bike accidents result in severe injuries and fatalities, prevention remains key. We’ll offer some helpful tips that will keep you out of the emergency room and your bike out of the repair shop.
If you’re hurt by a careless driver while riding your bike, call our Atlanta bike accident lawyers for help right away.
Close to a Thousand People Die Every Year in Bicycle Accidents
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 985 people died in bicycle accidents in 2021, a 5% increase over 2020 figures.
With so many people choosing to ride their bikes to school or work, and lack of road infrastructure designed for bicycles, this number is expected to climb steadily in the coming years.
What Is the Most Common Cause of Bicycle Crashes in Georgia?
The number one cause of bike accidents in Georgia is a failure to yield. The local traffic laws and rules of the road apply to both people driving a car and those riding their bicycle.
In many of the bicycle accident cases we handle, the defendant had failed to yield at a stop sign, a blinking light, or other directional sign. For example, imagine that the light is green and you’re riding your bike through the intersection.
Someone driving their car or SUV does not check that the road is clear and drives straight through the intersection, smashing into your bike. They either didn’t see you or assumed that they had the right of way since they were in an actual motor vehicle.
Thus, since the other driver in your accident was negligent, they should have to compensate you for your injuries.
How Can You Prevent a Collision While on Your Bicycle?
The goal of this article isn’t just to tell you who to call when you’re hurt in a bicycle accident. That is important. However, our bike accident attorneys also want to help you avoid a crash in the first place.
There are certain things you can do to help reduce your chances of being in a bike crash. Keep in mind, these suggestions apply to both adults and younger people.
#1 Make Sure You Stand Out Amongst the Other Vehicles on the Road
Another common reason for bicycle crashes is that the driver didn’t see the bicyclist. This is something our lawyers hear all the time when talking to potential clients.
It’s incredibly important that you find a way to stand out while on your bicycle, so make sure you equip yourself with bright colors so other drivers can see you.
For example, if you’re going to ride your bike during the day, you should wear colorful clothes: bold pink, blue, and green. If, however, you’re riding your bike at midnight after work, you should choose to wear a stark white or high-visibility shirt or jacket.
#2 Safety Gear is One of the Best Ways to Avoid Getting Hurt
In addition to wearing appropriate clothing, you also need to wear all your safety gear. Wearing an approved helmet can make the difference between walking away from your accident and suffering severe head trauma.
In addition to wearing your safety gear, the NHTSA has suggested that you should also wear protective eyewear and reflective clothing. In addition, you can put on knee pads and elbow pads.
A lot of our clients complain that this gear makes it harder for them to ride their bikes. However, if you’re ever involved in a bicycle accident, you’ll be happy you took this advice.
#3 Be Defensive and Predictable
When we first learn to drive, we’re often told that it’s not good to be a defensive driver. When it comes to riding your bike, however, this is exactly what you need to do.
You have no idea how other motorists will behave. You need to assume that other drivers are not going to keep an eye out for you.
You should also try to drive in a predictable fashion. Most people driving cars and SUVs expect bike riders to drive in a certain way. For example, cyclists are expected to ride along the right side of traffic.
This is the case whether you’re on a bicycle path or not. You want to stick to this sort of predictive behavior. This will reduce the chances that you will get into a bike accident.
Your Atlanta Injury Attorney Will Fight for the Compensation You Deserve
If you are struck by a car or SUV while on your bike, you’ll probably need extensive medical care. You may miss a significant amount of time from work. For some people, they are not able to work ever again. It all depends on the facts of your case.
In most of the bike accident cases our attorneys handle, they demand some or all the following in the way of damages:
- Medical bills and future medical bills
- Property damage to your bicycle
- Damages for lost wages
- Compensation for pain and suffering
What you should do is let your lawyer handle this part for you while you recover.
Contact Our Office to Schedule Your Free, Initial Consultation
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, there’s a good chance you’ll be entitled to damages. Hopefully, you won’t need to call an Atlanta injury attorney. However, if someone does crash into your bike, they need to be held accountable.
We suggest you contact our office at 770-HELP-NOW and schedule your free consultation. You can be sure that the other driver will have a team of lawyers helping them. You don’t want to be at a disadvantage by not having an accident lawyer helping you.
