Georgia law states that a bicycle is considered a vehicle. This means that regular vehicular traffic laws apply to bicyclists. If you have been injured while riding a bike, you should contact a bike accident lawyer near McDonough, GA who can give you information about the laws associated with bike accidents and what compensation — if any — you are entitled to.
Bike accident lawyers at The Weinstein Firm have experience navigating through these sorts of accidents and can help you determine what steps you should take if you have been injured in a bike accident.
Bicyclists actually have the same rights and responsibilities on roads as those who are driving motor vehicles. Some general bicycling laws and facts your bike wreck lawyer is likely to inform you of include:
- Bicycles should be used on roadways and not sidewalks. This is because bicycles are more visible and safer when used on roads.
- Cycling on the sidewalk is an illegal offense in the state of Georgia for anyone who is above the age of 12.
- Bicyclists are required to travel in the same direction as other motor vehicles.
- If a road is too narrow to be safely shared, cyclists should take the whole lane.
- Drivers operating motor vehicles must legally provide bicyclists with a minimum of three feet of a safe distance to pass when they are driving behind or passing a bicyclist.
- Bicyclists are required to obey all traffic signals and signs.
- Bicyclists are required to signal and must drive on the right side of the road.
- Bicyclists are also expected to yield when they are switching lanes.
Bike accident lawyers with experience in bike accident cases can help you better understand the rules and laws associated with bicycling. Call an injury firm near McDonough today for more information about bicycling laws in Georgia.
Common Causes of Bike Accidents in McDonough, Georgia
Half of the bike accidents occur as a result of a collision with a motor vehicle, while the other half of bike crashes occur when a bicyclist loses control. Most crashes that occur between bikes and cars in McDonough, Georgia, happen at intersections.
If you have been injured in a bike accident and are seeking compensation, the first thing you must determine is who was at fault. This is why it is important to consult with an experienced bike accident lawyer who can review your case and help determine who was at fault and if your case should be taken to court.
Common causes of bike crashes caused by cyclists include:
- Riding a bicycle against traffic
- Failing to yield appropriately
- Failing to stop at a stop sign
- Riding a bike at night without any lights
- Failing to signal
- Loss of control of bike due to speed
Common causes of bike accidents caused by motorists include:
- Failing to stop at a stop sign
- Failing to yield appropriately
- Failing to yield when turning left
- Failing to signal
- Turning right ahead of a bicyclist
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Careless driving
By finding who was at fault in the accident you have been involved in, your bike accident lawyer can determine if you have a case worth pursuing. If your bike wreck lawyer does find that you have a case, he or she will work with you to determine the best route to take as well as what type of compensation you are entitled to receive.
Types of Biking Injuries
Bike accidents can often result in serious or severe injuries. There are many different types of biking injuries a person can sustain if they are involved in a bike accident, particularly if the accident involves a motor vehicle. Bikes do not offer the same form of protection that cars offer their drivers, which is why bike accidents involving cars are often fatal. There are a number of different types of injuries a bicyclist can sustain if he or she is involved in an accident, including:
- Brain injuries
- Head injuries
- Neck injuries
- Broken or fractured bones
- Cuts
- Bumps
- Bruises
- Scrapes
- Lacerations
- Dislocated bones
- Spinal cord injuries
The nature of your injury will depend solely on the circumstances surrounding the crash like the speed of the motor vehicle involved if the person riding the bike was wearing a helmet, and more. Bike accident lawyers understand the varying different types of injuries cyclists can sustain after a bike accident and the medical costs involved with these injuries. A personal injury lawyer who is experienced in bike accidents is also likely to understand what causes most bike accidents and can provide you with good, solid advice to help you determine if you should seek compensation.
What to Do After a Bike Accident in McDonough, Georgia
If you have been in a bike accident and have been injured, it is important that you contact a Georgia bike accident lawyer to determine what your next steps should be.
If you have been in a bike accident, you should first evaluate your injuries. If you have been injured, you should dial 911 immediately. Once your injuries have been taken care of, you will need to record all the facts pertaining to the accident. This will be extremely important information that your bike accident attorney will need in the event that you do file a suit in the future. Be sure to record the following facts:
- The location, date, and time of the crash
- The name, address, insurance information, and contact information of the driver involved in the accident
- If there were witnesses involved at the scene, be sure to obtain their names and contact information
- Take pictures if possible
- Keep any police reports or other reports related to the crash like insurance forms, medical reports, estimates of property damages, etc.
You should also be sure to follow up on insurance reports. It is very common for insurance companies to initially deny bike accident claims. If this happens to you, contact a bike accident lawyer to find out what your next steps should be, as this is often the beginning of the negotiation process.
What Type of Compensation Can I Expect from My Bike Accident Claim?
If you have been hurt in a bike accident and are seeking compensation, an experienced bike accident lawyer can help you recover your losses and determine what kind of compensation you are entitled to receive.
Someone who has been injured in a bike accident can legally file a negligence lawsuit for their injuries or any property damage. Your bike accident attorney will walk you through the Georgia Negligence Laws which are used in these types of cases. These negligence laws are defined by a person’s failure to show a certain amount of care which results in an injury or risk of injury to another human being. In the event that you have been injured in a bike accident that was caused by another person, you can hire a bike wreck lawyer and file a negligence lawsuit. Your car accident lawyer near McDonough will likely advise you that you must prove that the driver’s negligent actions resulted in your injuries. Your lawyer will work with you to help determine this.
People operating motor vehicles have certain responsibilities when driving. These responsibilities include obeying speed limits and following all traffic rules and regulations. These duties are owed to everyone who shares roads including motorcyclists, other drivers, and cyclists. If a driver fails to follow this duty by speeding or breaking any other traffic law and causes an accident to someone riding a bike, the driver is held liable for the injuries obtained by the person on the bike.
In the event that you have been injured as a direct result of another driver’s negligence, you are eligible for compensation for your injuries. Speak to a bike accident lawyer to determine what kind of proof you need and the steps you should take to recover the right compensation.
What Are Compensatory Damages?
If you have been injured in a bike accident, you are entitled to compensatory damages. This means that you are entitled to compensation for financial, emotional or bodily injuries. These damages include property damage, medical bills, and emotional distress.
You might also be entitled to punitive damages in the event that the driver acted carelessly. These types of damages are usually given to punish a defendant in an attempt to deter them from committing the same type of heinous or malicious crime again. Speak to a qualified bike accident lawyer to determine what types of damages you are entitled to and if you should file for punitive damages. Your bike accident lawyer will advise you on the different types of compensation you may be entitled to, including:
- Loss of wages
- Loss of income in the event of the death of a spouse
- Medical bills
- Property damage
- Funeral costs
Who is Held Responsible for Injuries in Bike Accidents?
After you hire a bike accident attorney, he or she will look at the details of your case to determine who is responsible for your injury or injuries. If the driver involved in the accident broke driving laws and injured you in the process, he or she will likely be the one who will be held responsible. This is why it is important for you to hire a bike accident lawyer immediately after your accident so they can help determine who was at fault and then take the appropriate steps to get you the compensation you deserve.
If you can prove that the driver who injured you was negligent and failed to obey safety obligations and traffic laws, you can seek compensation. A bike accident lawyer can help you determine this by working with you to gather evidence related to the accident including:
- Police report
- Statements from witnesses
- Toxicology reports in the event the driver was driving while impaired
- Phone records in the event that the person driving was on a phone or texting while driving
- Statements from an accident reconstruction expert
Your bike accident lawyer will help gather these documents and any other necessary evidence to prove that the driver was neglectful and caused the accident by failing to obey traffic laws and obligations.
What Should I Do If I Am Injured in a Bike Accident?
If you have been hurt as a result of a bike accident, contact a bike wreck lawyer to help determine the route you should take. Be sure to document all of your medical treatments and any other reports which you can give to your bike accident lawyer.
After seeing a doctor and getting the appropriate treatment, speak to an experienced bike accident attorney who will be able to review your case and negotiate with the other party’s insurance company to reach a settlement. In the event that your bike wreck lawyer cannot come to an agreement with the driver’s insurance company, he or she will work with you to gather and build evidence to present your case in a court of law. If your bike accident lawyer takes your case to court, it will be presented in front of a jury who will determine what — if any — compensation you will receive for your bike accident injury or injuries. In the event that you cannot come to an agreement with an insurance company, you will need to hire a knowledgeable bike accident lawyer who can professionally present your case in a court of law.
Contact a Bike Accident Lawyer Today Near McDonough, GA
Bike accident injuries can often be severe and serious because of the little protection bicycles offer cyclists. If you have suffered injuries as a result of a bike accident, contact a bike wreck lawyer at The Weinstein Firm today to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Bike accident lawyers at The Weinstein Firm will review your case, gather any necessary evidence and present the evidence to an insurance company. In the event that the case goes to court, your bike accident attorney Near McDonough, Georgia will ensure that you get a fair case and that your injuries and emotional distress do not go unnoticed. Call the bike accident lawyers at The Weinstein Firm today to help you determine the next steps you should take.
