The experienced bike accident lawyers serving Sandy Springs, GA here at The Weinstein Firm have represented injured cyclists from all around our region. Our bike accident attorneys are ready and willing to listen to you and help you recover compensation if you have been injured in a bike accident. We know that bike accidents can easily result in catastrophic injuries for the bicyclists involved, and as a result, we take the task of working with a bike accident victim very seriously. If you have been hurt and are in need of a knowledgeable bike wreck lawyer near Sandy Springs, look to The Weinstein Firm.
The bike accident lawyers on our staff have an exceptional knowledge about Georgia’s cycling laws and existing ordinances, helping us to successfully represent many cyclists who are injured in bike accidents each year near Sandy Springs, Georgia. Not sure if you need a lawyer? Call The Weinstein Firm for a free consultation where we will listen to the details of your case, explain the potential compensation you could recover, and educate you as to whether your case may benefit from the assistance of a personal injury lawyer near Sandy Springs.
What Should You Do Following a Bike Accident in Sandy Springs, GA?
For anyone involved in a bicycle accident, the number one priority before doing anything else is to get immediate medical attention for both yourself and anyone else potentially injured in the crash. If you have been injured and have trouble standing or walking, you will need to be transported to the hospital via an ambulance. Whatever the nature of your injuries or the circumstances of the accident, our bike accident attorneys serving Sandy Springs always remind you to report your accident to law enforcement and make sure that a police report is filed.
If you can, try to get contact information from all others involved, including the driver of the vehicle that hit you and any witnesses. Try to get vehicle details like the make, model, and plate number, and get car insurance details from the driver.
Outside of tasks such as speaking to the police and getting contact information, however, our bike accident lawyers will caution you to take care of what you say beyond simply filing a report or asking for information. Anything that you say could end up used against you, particularly if it is recorded in the police report. Moreover, if an insurance company asks you for a statement regarding the accident, do not provide one until after you have spoken with a personal injury lawyer near Sandy Springs, GA.
Examine the scene, the damage done, and your injuries if you can. If you have a cell phone or other camera, take photos. Finally, as soon as possible after the accident, contact a Sandy Springs, Georgia bike accident attorney to ensure that you recover the compensation to which you are entitled. The bike wreck lawyers here at the Weinstein firm will aggressively negotiate your settlement to ensure that you receive the full, fair, and just amount. Our experienced bike accident attorneys have both the knowledge and experience to ensure that you get the maximum settlement.
Bike Maintenance to Help You Avoid a Bike Accident in Sandy Springs
Whether you are a casual or avid bicyclist, a poorly maintained bike is a dangerous thing to ride on. Your bicycle will last longer, perform reliably, and keep you safer if you take these steps for basic bike maintenance. Of course, even an immaculate bike can fall victim to a bike accident near Sandy Springs, GA, and our bike accident lawyers are here for those moments – but we can promise you that steps taken for longevity and safety of your bike are never taken in vain.
- Keep your bike clean. It may seem like a silly tip, but take it from us – cleaning the road grime off of your bike before it builds up is an important step to take in order to keep everything in good working order. In addition, know and use the proper cleaning materials and methods. Ask your local bike shop for a recommendation, but in general clean rags, a soap specifically for this purpose (not dish soap!), and a few brushes to get into the nooks and crannies are a good way to begin.
- Only use cleaners for bikes. Cleaners and solvents not intended for a bicycle can cause damage, so only use products for bikes. In addition, resist the temptation to use a common household lubricant like WD-40 on your chain. Bike chain oil is very different from this, and WD-40 can actually break this oil down, causing more harm than good.
- Keep the nuts and bolts tight. Over time, the nuts and bolts that hold your bicycle together will loosen, and eventually fall out. Give your bike a once-over regularly and inspect all these components to may sure they stay secure.
- Measure your bike chain. This chain will wear down over time, and will actually stretch a little. A good way to check to see if you need a new chain is to use a ruler. Measure the length of 24 chain links, from rivet to rivet. If this length is longer than 12 1/16″, consider getting a new chain.
- Listen for noises, and watch for wiggles. If your bike makes squeaking noises, has a wobbly wheel, or does anything else out of the ordinary, don’t take this lightly. Hunt down the cause of these noises and behaviors before they become the catalyst for a bike accident in Sandy Springs.
- Always store your bike properly. Whenever you are not riding your bike, don’t just prop up the kickstand and leave it outside – prolonged exposure to the weather is havoc on bike parts. Laying your bike down on its side can damage your derailleurs, so in order to properly store your bike, use a hook or rack inside your garage, tool shed, or house.
- Check up on those spokes. The spokes in your wheels may loosen over time. If any do, they need to be replaced.
- Keep a flat readiness kit on you all the time. If you’re out riding, you should have a spare tube or a tire patch kit on you all the time. Bringing along a bike pump which easily attaches to the bike’s body also can save you a potentially long walk home.
Keeping up with your bicycle maintenance, as we mentioned, won’t just ensure that your bike lasts as long as possible – although that’s great too – it will make sure you stay as safe as possible on the road. As car accident lawyers near Sandy Springs, GA, we most definitely want to hear from you if you are ever injured in a bike accident. However, if you stay safe on your bike and never have to call us, we’d prefer that for you/
Common Reasons for Bike Accidents near Sandy Springs, GA – Bike Lane Problems
Every motorist knows what a bike lane looks like. These narrow strips running alongside traffic are appearing all over Georgia roadways. The idea of bike lanes is a good one: keep bikes away from motor vehicles on the roads, in order to hopefully keep vehicle traffic moving, and the bicycle riders safe. Unfortunately, there are a few unforeseen consequences of bike lanes which can make them less safe than intended.
As bike accident lawyers near Sandy Springs, Georgia, we are seeing that one unintended consequence of bike lanes is that separating the bicycle from vehicle traffic creates a sense that the bike is more like a pedestrian than a vehicle. Legally, however, this is not the case. Not only can this lead motors to think of bicyclists as separate and distinct from the flow of traffic they are in, they can instill a sense of being “outside” the traffic rules in cyclists. However, in the state of Georgia, the laws governing bicycles are essentially the same as those governing cars. Bike lanes also have the effect of lending a false sense of security to drivers and cyclists alike, while in reality traffic is still sipping by mere feet from a very exposed and unprotected cyclist.
Cyclists have been pushing for more bike lanes for many years, but as those battles are won, it is important to recognize the issues with bike lanes and work to overcome them. In some circumstances, a bike lane can actually result in a more dangerous place to ride a bike. In addition, many people simply aren’t clear on the nuances of the rules of bike lanes in Sandy Springs, GA. For instance, if a vehicle is about to turn right, are they allowed to enter the bike lane? How does a cyclist make a left turn from a bike lane, cutting against the flow of traffic?
Design Flaws and Bike Lanes near Sandy Springs, GA
In addition to the issues mentioned above regarding the law and its clarity regarding cyclists and bike lanes, the design of these bike lanes themselves is sometimes poorly done. Bike lanes are typically to the right, as far from oncoming traffic as possible, but turning lanes, changes to traffic flow, and other situations can lead to a situation where there is traffic on both sides of a bike lane, placing bicyclists at risk of accident or injury. As bike accident attorneys serving Sandy Strings, GA, we know that it is impossible to predict where and when a bike accident might happen – but there are certainly some areas that are more dangerous than others.
Bike lanes crossing highway off-ramps and on-ramps are frequent sites of accidents, particularly because often these ramps do not indicate to stop or yield for cyclists, and drivers can easily be surprised to find a bicyclist in their path when exiting a highway.
When adding bike lanes to streets that already exist, at times the existing lanes have to be made more narrow in order to provide space for the new bike lane. This also creates a potentially dangerous situation, because having less room for cars and trucks can enhance congestion, which is a nuisance and danger for drivers, and can be absolutely treacherous for bicyclists.
Finally, in areas where there is parking on the street as well as a bike lane, the bicyclists can find themselves in the “open door” path of parked vehicles. Drivers who park and immediately open their door without looking can easily surprise a cyclist and cause an accident.
If You Have Been Hurt in a Sandy Springs, GA Bike Accident, Our Lawyers Can Help
The experienced bike accident attorneys at The Weinstein Firm are prepared to handle bicycle accident and injury cases of all kinds, including bicycle-vehicle collisions, failing or malfunctioning bicycle components, and defective road conditions. If you have been hurt and feel you may be entitled to compensation, contact the bike accident lawyers at The Weinstein Firm today. We will hear you out, examine your case, speak with experts, interview any witnesses, negotiate with insurance companies, and in general help guide you through the best route forward in recovering compensation for your bike accident. Our bike wreck lawyers are well versed in bicyclists’ rights, traffic law regarding bikes and bike lanes, and liability issues regarding bike accidents.
Whether you or a loved one has been injured in a Sandy Springs, GA bike accident, or if you have tragically lost someone in a bike accident, contact The Weinstein Firm today and speak to one of our bike accident lawyers. We will happily provide you with a free consultation and advise you as to your need for an attorney, the potential compensation you could recover, and the best method to proceed. The bike accident attorneys at The Weinstein Firm are experienced, knowledgeable, and aggressive in their dedication to seeing that your rights are protected and that you get the compensation and justice which you deserve.
