If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident in Kennesaw, GA Starks Byron, P.C., can help. With 30+ years of experience and millions secured in settlements, our Kennesaw bicycle accident attorneys offer a free case review. Call us at (404) 795-5115 for expert legal support.
Bicycle accidents tend to result in serious injuries because bicyclists lack the steel frame and safety features provided to car accident victims. In an instant, your life can be permanently altered. If you were injured in a bike accident in Kennesaw, Georgia, Starks Byron, P.C. can help.
A Kennesaw bicycle accident lawyer from our law firm can investigate your case, determine the compensation you are owed, and protect your rights at all phases of your case. Our client advocacy has resulted in an Avvo Client’s Choice Award in 2019. Contact us today for a free case review with a Kennesaw bicycle accident attorney to learn more about your legal rights and options in Kennesaw, GA.
How Starks Byron, P.C. Can Help After a Bicycle Accident in Kennesaw
If you were injured in a bike accident in Kennesaw, GA, your health is the top priority.
A personal injury lawyer in Kennesaw from Starks Byron, P.C. can handle all aspects of your claim, including:
- Investigating your case to determine who is responsible
- Gathering compelling evidence to establish fault and the full extent of your injuries
- Handling insurance claims
- Managing communication with insurance adjusters
- Working with law enforcement to identify hit-and-run drivers
- Monitoring case deadlines
- Negotiating for fair compensation
- Reviewing all applicable insurance policies, including uninsured motorist coverage
- Advising you of your legal rights and options at every stage of your case
Let our team demand the compensation you deserve. Call us today to schedule your free case review with a Kennesaw bicycle accident attorney.
Georgia Bicycle Accident Statistics
The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety provides the following key findings:
- 32 bicyclists were killed in motor vehicle collisions in 2020.
- The bicyclist crash rate is highest in urban counties outside Atlanta.
- 62% of bicyclist crashes occur at intersections.
- Individuals aged 10 to 14 years old had the highest rate of trauma care related to bicycle accidents compared to any other age group.
Georgia residents also pay $67 million a year for bicycle hospitalization and emergency room visits related to crashes with motor vehicles.
What Are Georgia’s Bicycle Laws?
Georgia law treats bicycles as vehicles. This means bicyclists must follow most of the same rules as motorists, including speed limits, stopping at stop signs, and using signals to turn.
Likewise, motorists must share the road with bicyclists and respect them. Motorists must yield to bicycles in a bike lane. When passing a bicyclist, a motorist must have at least three feet between them and the bicyclist.
Georgia bicyclists must adhere to additional rules, including:
- Not riding on sidewalks
- Riding in the same direction as traffic
- Riding as close to the right side of the road as possible
- Riding no more than two abreast
- Only allowing a number of people on the bike that is equal to or less than the number of seats
- Wearing a helmet if under 16 years of age
- Equipping required safety equipment, including front and rear lights and working brakes
Understanding these laws and driver responsibilities is essential to pursuing a bike accident claim.
What Should I Do After a Bike Accident?
If you are involved in a bike accident, try to take the following steps to protect your health and legal rights:
Call The Police
Call the police immediately after the accident. Georgia law requires it, and having a law enforcement officer prepare an objective accident report can be crucial to the success of your claim.
Unfortunately, many bike accidents involve hit-and-run drivers who flee the scene because they know they have seriously injured a cyclist. Report any information you remember about the driver, including any partial license plate details, a description of their vehicle, and what they looked like.
Seek Medical Attention
Bicycle accidents often result in serious injuries.
Life-changing injuries following a bike crash may include:
- Amputation
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Road rash
- Broken or dislocated bones
- Burns
- Spinal cord injuries
- Crushing injuries
- Internal organ damage
It is paramount to seek immediate medical attention. Follow all of your doctor’s recommended treatment and restrictions.
Document the Scene
If possible, write down the driver’s name, contact, and insurance information. Ask witnesses for their contact information, too. Take pictures or ask a witness to take pictures of the accident scene, damage to the vehicle and your bike, and your injuries.
Contact a Lawyer
An experienced bike accident lawyer can protect you from deceptive tactics by insurance companies and manage your insurance claim so you can focus on your recovery.
Common Causes of Bike Accidents
Bike accidents can occur for many reasons, but some of the most common are:
- Impatient motorists
- Unsafe passing
- Dooring accidents
- Distracted driving or inattention
- Speeding
- Failing to yield the right-of-way
- Running red lights or stop signs
Once an experienced bike accident lawyer determines how your accident happened, they can identify all parties responsible for your injuries.
Who Is Responsible for Bike Accidents?
Various parties can be responsible for bike accidents, including:
- Negligent motorists – Many motorists do not properly share the road with bicyclists and can fail to spot them.
- Other bicyclists – Other bicyclists must follow the rules to avoid injuring others.
- Property owners – Property owners are responsible for maintaining their roads and sidewalks. If they fail to uphold their duties, they can be held legally liable for resulting injuries.
- Government agencies – Broken street lights, potholes, and uncovered drains can cause bike accidents. Agencies responsible for maintaining safe road conditions can be held liable for these deficiencies.
- Bike manufacturers – If your brakes, tires, or other components failed, you could have a product liability claim against the manufacturer of your bike or the component that failed.
An experienced bicycle accident lawyer can carefully investigate your case to determine every viable legal theory to recover compensation on your behalf.
What Damages Can I Claim In a Bike Accident Case?
If you were injured in a bicycle crash, you may be able to pursue compensation for the following damages:
Medical Expenses
Because injuries after a bike accident are often serious, you may incur various types of medical bills, including for:
- Emergency room visits
- Ambulance rides
- Surgeries
- Hospital stays
- Rehabilitation expenses
- Ongoing medical treatment
- Prescription drugs
- Medical devices
You can also recover compensation for anticipated medical expenses you expect to incur in the future.
Lost Income
You can also seek compensation for your lost wages and income, including:
- Hourly or salaried pay
- Overtime pay
- Tips
- Bonuses
- Commissions
- Used employment benefits, such as sick leave or PTO
In some cases, our firm may hire an economic expert to estimate the long-term impact your injuries have on your earning capacity.
Property Damage
You can seek compensation for the cost to repair or replace your bike. Some specialty bikes cost thousands of dollars.
Pain and Suffering
Your injuries may leave you with chronic pain. You have the right to seek compensation for your physical and emotional pain, suffering, and distress.
Wrongful Death Damages
If you lost a spouse or child in a bike accident, you can pursue wrongful death damages. These may include payment for lost lifetime earnings, pensions, medical bills incurred before death, and burial and funeral costs.
Can I Still Recover Compensation If I Was Partially At Fault for a Bicycle Accident?
Georgia uses a modified comparative fault system. Therefore, you can still seek compensation for the bike accident as long as you were not primarily at fault for it. However, your damages are reduced by your degree of fault.
For example, if you forgot to use a signal before turning and a jury finds you 20% at fault for an accident, your damages will be reduced by 20%. So, if you suffered damages of $100,000, your damages would be reduced by $20,000.
What Is My Bicycle Accident Claim Worth?
Many factors can affect the potential value of your bike accident claim, including:
- Your injuries and their severity
- Who is responsible for the accident
- Whether you contributed to the accident
- The insurance coverage available
- How the accident affects your ability to work
- Whether you suffered permanent injuries
- The impact the accident and injuries have had on your life
Let our team conduct a thorough investigation into your case to determine its value.
What Is The Deadline To File A Personal Injury Lawsuit In Georgia
In Georgia, accident victims generally have up to two years following an accident to file a personal injury case against the party responsible for their injuries. If you do not file your case within this timeframe, you can lose your right to compensation.
Call Our Kennesaw Bike Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation Today
If you were injured in an accident, Starks Byron, P.C. is here to help. A Kennesaw bicycle accident lawyer from our law firm can advocate for your best interests and negotiate for the compensation you deserve. Call our Kennesaw, GA, today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
