Experience & Service Matter after a Bike Accident.
Hit While Riding Your Bike? Our Atlanta Lawyers Can Help.
When motorists fail to look out for bicyclists in Atlanta, it can lead to serious injuries and struggles for victims and their families. Some people will need immediate medical attention. Others may feel pain in the days after a bike vs. car accident. Many cannot work for weeks or even months afterward. But you may be entitled to compensation if someone else’s negligence caused the collision.
If you or a loved one suffered an injury in an Atlanta-area bike accident, the Atlanta injury lawyers at The Champion Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C., can navigate the legal system, protect you, and pursue the maximum amount possible. Call, text, or chat for a free consultation.
How Our Bike Accident Lawyers Can Help
Investigate & Gather Evidence: The Champion Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C. can investigate the accident scene, gather evidence, and interview witnesses to determine who was at fault for the accident. We can also obtain police reports and medical records related to the accident.
Evaluate Your Damages: Our bike accident lawyers can help evaluate the damages incurred because of the accident, including medical bills, lost wages, and pain and suffering.
Deal with the Insurance: We can communicate with insurance companies on your behalf to negotiate a fair and full settlement for the damages incurred.
Representation in Court: If a settlement cannot be reached, we will represent you and seek max compensation.
Advocacy for Bike Accident Victims: our lawyer can speak on your behalf throughout the legal process, providing guidance and support to ensure your rights are protected and the right party is held accountable.
How Did Your Bicycle Accident Happen?
Types & Causes of Atlanta Bike Accidents
Negligence and human error are the most common cause of car accidents involving bikes. However, there could be other causes and contributing factors, including:
- Car-door collisions often happen when a driver opens their car door without checking for approaching bicyclists, resulting in a crash.
- Left-turn collisions refer to incidents when a driver turning left fails to yield to an oncoming bicyclist going straight.
- Right-hook collisions are when a driver turning right cuts off a bicyclist going straight or attempting to pass on the right, resulting in a crash.
- Rear-end collisions happen when a driver hits a bicyclist from behind, often due to the driver not paying attention or following too closely.
- Intersection collisions occur when a driver fails to stop at a stop sign or red light and strikes a bicyclist crossing the intersection.
- Parking lot collisions describe a driver failing to see a bicyclist while backing up or turning in a parking lot.
- Overtaking collisions are when a driver attempts to pass a bicyclist without leaving enough room, resulting in a crash.
- Speeding collisions happen when a driver is speeding and collides with a bicyclist, often causing severe injuries or fatalities.
- Distracted driving collisions happen when a driver is distracted by their phone, food, or other activities while driving and collides with a bicyclist.
- Impaired driving collisions are caused when a driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol and collides with a bicyclist, often causing severe injuries or fatalities.
Common Injuries from Bicycle Accidents in Atlanta
You may suffer serious injuries in a bike accident. You probably wore a helmet and pads to help protect against some types of injuries, but those measures only offer so much support. Your injuries may be substantial after a bicycle accident, such as:
- Traumatic brain injury (helmet use reduces, but does not eliminate this risk)
- Spinal cord damage, potentially including paralysis
- Organ damage
- Amputations, either during the accident itself or after, due to crushing damage the doctors cannot repair
To determine the full extent of your injuries after a bicycle accident, seek medical attention as soon as possible. A doctor can better determine how badly the car injured you. They can also help predict your future medical prospects after an accident.
How to Handle a Bicycle Accident in Atlanta
If you or a loved one are involved in a bike accident with a car, follow these steps:
- Seek medical attention: Check yourself and others for injuries and call 911 immediately if anyone is seriously injured. Even if you do not feel seriously injured, seeking medical attention as soon as possible after the accident is essential.
- Move to a safe location: If possible, move yourself and your bike to a safe place away from traffic.
- Call the police: Call the police and report the accident, providing your location and any other relevant details.
- Exchange information: Exchange contact and insurance information with the car’s driver and any witnesses to the accident.
- Document the scene: Take photos of the accident scene, including any damage to the car and your bike and any visible injuries.
- Report the accident to your insurance company: Report the accident to your insurance company, even if you were not at fault.
- Contact a lawyer: Contact a lawyer with experience in bike accident cases to help you navigate the legal process and seek compensation for your injuries and damages.
- Follow up with medical treatment: Follow up with any recommended medical treatment and keep records of all medical expenses and treatment.
In addition to these steps, it is crucial to be aware of the laws and regulations related to bicycling in Atlanta, such as wearing a helmet and obeying traffic laws.
Georgia Bicycle Laws
It is essential to be aware of these laws and follow them to ensure your safety and avoid legal issues while riding a bicycle in Georgia.
- Bike Helmets: All cyclists under the age of 16 are required to wear a helmet while riding a bike.
- Riding on the Right: Bicyclists must ride on the right-hand side of the road in the same direction as traffic.
- Bike Lanes: Bicyclists must use designated bike lanes when available.
- Passing: Bicyclists may pass on the left or the right if there is enough room.
- Hand Signals: Bicyclists must use hand signals to indicate their intention to turn or stop.
- Lights: Bicycles must be equipped with a white headlight and a red taillight or reflector when riding at night.
- Yielding: Bicyclists must yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal when passing.
- Riding Abreast: Two bicyclists may ride abreast, meaning side by side, but they must move into single file when being overtaken by a vehicle.
- Motor Vehicle Laws: Bicyclists are subject to the same traffic laws as motor vehicles, including stopping at stop signs and red lights.
- Electric Bikes: Electric bikes are allowed on Georgia roads if equipped with pedals, have a motor with a maximum power output of 750 watts, and do not exceed 20 mph on level ground.
We Demand Bike Accident Settlements ASAP.
Compensation After a Bicycle Accident
The compensation the insurance company awards you will vary based on the severity of your injuries and the policy limits. Depending on the extent of your injuries, however, you can ask for several common elements of compensation:
- Medical expenses
- Pain and suffering
- Lost wages
- Lost earning potential
Working with a lawyer can help you understand exactly what compensation you deserve after your accident.
Accident Insurance Claims & Lawsuits
After an Atlanta bike accident, you may need to file an insurance claim and potentially a lawsuit to recover the compensation you need. Here are the basic steps involved:
- File an insurance claim: If another driver caused the accident, you could file a claim with their insurance company. You will need to provide details about the accident, including photos of the damage, medical bills, and any other expenses related to the accident. The insurance company will then investigate the claim and make a settlement offer.
- Negotiate a settlement: You and your lawyer can negotiate with the insurance company to reach a fair settlement for your injuries and damages following a bike crash. You may need to file a lawsuit if the insurance company refuses to offer a reasonable settlement.
- File a lawsuit: If negotiations fail, you can file a lawsuit against the driver and their insurance company. You must provide evidence that the other driver was at fault for the accident and that you suffered injuries or damages. Your lawyer can help you navigate the legal process and represent you in court.
Atlanta Bike Accident FAQs
Do you have questions after being hit by a car while riding a bike? Here are some of the most common questions we discuss with our current and prospective clients.
Who is At Fault in a Bike Vs. Car Accident?
Fault is typically determined by the actions of each party involved in the accident. If the car’s driver was at fault, they might be responsible for paying for any damages or injuries caused.
Can I File a Lawsuit after a Bike Accident?
Yes, if you were injured in a bike accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be able to file a lawsuit to seek compensation for your injuries and damages.
Am I At Fault for My Injuries If I Wasn't Wearing a Helmet?
In Georgia, no state law requires adult bicyclists to wear a helmet. However, the defense can use failure to wear a helmet to argue that you were partially responsible for your injuries. Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence system which means that if the bicyclist is found to be partly at fault for their injuries, their compensation may be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to them.
Therefore, if you were in a bike accident in Georgia and were not wearing a helmet, it may affect your compensation. However, it does not necessarily mean that you are automatically at fault for the accident injuries. The actions of each party determine fault, and other factors, such as driver negligence or road conditions, may also be considered.
Will My Case Go To Court?
Not necessarily. The first step will be to determine the value of your case and seek a settlement from the at-fault party’s insurance company. Most bike accident injury claims are settled before they reach the courtroom. However, your attorney should feel comfortable with representing you in court if it becomes necessary to do so.
Contact an Atlanta Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today
If you've been injured in a bicycle accident in the Metro Atlanta area, we can help. Contact The Champion Firm, Personal Injury Attorneys, P.C. and our Atlanta injury lawyers today at 404-596-8044 by phone, text, or chat. We don't charge upfront fees unless we win.