Atlanta Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Many residents of Greater Atlanta use bicycles for enjoyment, exercise, and transportation. However, in our large metropolitan area, bicycle accidents occur far too frequently as bicycles and motor vehicles share the road. Because cyclists do not have the protection afforded by a motor vehicle, bike accidents involving motor vehicle drivers tend to cause serious injuries.
If you or someone you love was involved in a bicycle accident in Georgia, you don't have to navigate the recovery process alone. Our team of knowledgeable and experienced bicycle accident attorneys is here to uphold your legal rights and help you pursue recovery of damages. Contact us at (678) 310-2827 to schedule your free consultation.
Key Takeaways About Bicycle Accidents in Greater Atlanta
- Georgia law defines bicycles as vehicles. As such, bicyclists generally have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicle drivers.
- Bicycle accidents are unfortunately common in Atlanta due to the heavy traffic and lack of designated bike lanes.
- Common causes of bicycle accidents include distracted driving, failure to yield, and dooring (when a driver opens their car door into the path of a cyclist).
- Injuries sustained in bicycle accidents can range from minor scrapes and bruises to serious head injuries or even death.
- Consulting a knowledgeable and experienced bike accident lawyer following a bike crash can help injured cyclists pursue appropriate compensation and protect their rights.
Understanding Georgia Bicycle Laws
Georgia's laws protect both cyclists and motorists on the road. Per Georgia law:
- Bicycles are considered vehicles and must follow all traffic laws, including stopping at stop signs and red lights.
- Bicyclists must ride in the same direction as traffic, even in bike lanes.
- Bicyclists must ride as near to the right side of the road as possible when riding below the speed limit — unless they are turning, passing another vehicle, avoiding hazards, or cycling in a substandard width lane.
- Motor vehicles must maintain at least three feet of space when passing cyclists.
- Bike lanes in Georgia are for the exclusive use of bicyclists, but bicyclists are not required to use them unless a local ordinance requires it. Motor vehicle drivers must yield to a bicyclist within a bike lane on the roadway.
- Bicyclists over the age of 12 are not legally permitted to ride on sidewalks unless a local ordinance allows.
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Why choose greathouse law?
- Free Consultation – Tell Us What Happened & See If You Have A Case And What It Might Be Worth. We do consultations by phone and virtually.
- Highly Reviewed & Rated – Over 100 Google Reviews. 10.0/10.0 with 5-Star rating on respected legal website Avvo.
- Highly Responsive – We pride ourselves in fast response times when communicating with our clients. We will never let your questions or concerns go unaddressed.
- Efficient – Our approach focuses on efficiency and speed to resolve cases as quickly as we can to get you your money faster.
- No Case Is Too Difficult or Complex – This is where tenacity and knowledge of the law matters. We do what is necessary even in difficult cases.
- Straight Shooters – You’ve made an important decision in your life. We respect you for that. Our approach focuses on efficiency and speed to resolve cases as quickly as we can to get your life back to normal sooner.
- Caring & Compassionate (truly) – We’re sorry for what happened to you or your loved one. Our team is incredibly experienced, and they truly understand the complications that Personal Injury can bring upon a family
- Personalized Attention – We understand and respect that every client’s needs are unique. We treat all of our clients with the attention they deserve.
- We Keep You Updated – Transparency is key. We want you to know what’s happening with your case at all points in the process.
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- Atlanta & All Georgia – Our office is in Atlanta but we accept cases everywhere in Georgia.
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Common Bike Accident Injuries in and around Atlanta
Injured bicyclists can experience a varying level of bodily harm, including:
- Head and brain injuries — Bicyclists face the risk of serious head and brain injuries due to the lack of protection. Although wearing a helmet is important, a helmet alone may not prevent all forms of traumatic brain injury, depending on the severity of the bike crash.
- Neck injuries — Whiplash and cervical sprain injuries are common in a bicycle crash, particularly when a motor vehicle hits a cyclist from behind. These injuries can cause chronic pain and require long-term medical care.
- Spinal cord injuries — A bicycle crash can lead to spinal cord damage, which can cause temporary or permanent paralysis. This often involves extensive medical treatment and rehabilitation.
- Broken bones — When a cyclist is hit by a motor vehicle, their body absorbs a significant amount of force upon impact. This can lead to bone fractures.
- Soft tissue injuries — Bicyclists often suffer harm to their soft tissues, including bruises, sprains, strains, and tendon or ligament tears, which can be quite painful and may require physical therapy to fully recover.
- Ruptured discs — A ruptured disc, also known as a herniated disc, can occur following a bike crash due to the impact or trauma sustained. The spinal discs act as cushions between the vertebrae in the spine, and when a disc ruptures, the inner gel-like material leaks out, potentially causing pain, numbness, or weakness in the area. For an affected bicyclist, the force of the impact and ensuing ruptured disc can lead to back pain, radiating pain down the arms and legs, tingling sensations, or muscle weakness.
- Dislocated joints — A bicyclist could experience dislocated joints due to the forceful impact of an accident. Dislocated joints occur when the ends of two connected bones are forced out of their normal position. If the rider falls and lands in a way that puts excessive stress on a joint, this is likely to happen.
- Road rash — Road rash, a common injury following a bike crash, is a type of friction burn or abrasion caused by the skin scraping against the rough surface of the road.
- Wrongful death — In the worst type of cycling accident, a cyclist is killed on impact. In such a case, a bike accident attorney can pursue a wrongful death claim on behalf of the family if the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence.
Who is Liable in a Bicycle Accident Case?
As a seasoned accident attorney knows, determining liability in any type of personal injury case can be complex, but this principle especially applies to bicycle accident cases involving motor vehicles. Depending on the circumstances of a bicycle crash, the negligent party could include:
The Motor Vehicle Driver
Every driver must operate their vehicle safely and obey traffic laws. If their failure to heed traffic laws causes an accident, they may be held liable for any consequential injuries.
The Bicycle Manufacturer
In some cases, a faulty bicycle or its parts may contribute to the accident and consequential injuries. In these situations, the manufacturer or seller of the defective product could be held liable.
The City or Government Agency Responsible for Maintaining Roads and Bike Lanes
If unsafe road conditions were a contributing factor in the accident, such as potholes or poorly marked bike lanes, the city or government agency responsible for their upkeep may be held liable.
Seeking Compensation for Bicycle Accident Injuries in and around Atlanta
If you have been injured in a bicycle accident in or around Atlanta, you could potentially seek compensation for your injuries and related expenses, such as:
- Medical bills — These bills may include any medical treatment you have accepted or will need in the future due to the accident.
- Lost wages — If your injuries prevent you from working, you may be able to seek compensation for lost wages and potential loss of future earnings.
- Pain and suffering — A bicycle crash can cause physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish. Cyclists can pursue compensation for these damages in a personal injury lawsuit.
- Property damage — In addition to personal injuries, bicycle accidents often cause damage to the bicycle itself. A bike rider can pursue compensation for repairs or replacement.
Proving Fault in Atlanta, Georgia Bike Accidents
Seeking recovery of damages in bicycle accident cases requires injured bicyclists to prove that another party's fault caused the bike accident. This effort usually involves demonstrating that the responsible party was negligent in some way, such as failing to yield to a cyclist or driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol. An accident attorney with experience representing injured cyclists can help you gather important evidence and build a strong case.
An Atlanta Bicycle Accident Lawyer Explains What to Do After a Bike Accident
If you are involved in a bicycle accident in Atlanta, you can protect your rights and strengthen your potential case by taking the following steps:
- Seek medical attention — Your health and safety should always be paramount after an accident. Even if you don't think you have sustained serious injuries, undergo an evaluation from a medical professional because some injuries may not present symptoms right away.
- Document the scene — If possible, take photos of the scene and any visible injuries. These photos can serve as valuable evidence later on.
- Collect information from all involved parties — Exchange contact and insurance information with the driver of the motor vehicle and any witnesses present.
- Secure a police report — Call the police right away. Having an official police report can be beneficial when filing a claim for compensation.
- Contact a bike accident attorney — A skilled bicycle accident attorney can guide you through the legal process, protect your legal rights, negotiate with insurance companies, and seek the maximum compensation that may be available under the law on your behalf.
Tips for Bicycle Safety in Greater Atlanta
- Always wear a helmet while riding to protect against head injuries in the event of an accident.
- Use hand signals and follow traffic laws when riding on roads or bike lanes.
- Make yourself visible with reflective gear and lights, especially when riding at night or in low light conditions.
- Stay alert and aware of your surroundings, including potential hazards like potholes or debris on the road.
- Avoid distractions such as texting or listening to music while riding. These can impair your ability to hear approaching vehicles or react quickly to changing road conditions.
“As a former felony prosecutor, I believe that there is no fight that is too small or too big to fight when seeking justice for my clients.”
- Riah Greathouse
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Why Should Bicycle Accident Victims Hire an Experienced Atlanta Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
For bike riders who have been involved in bike crashes and have suffered physical and emotional trauma, an experienced Atlanta bicycle accident lawyer can be a lifeline in multiple ways.
Look for an attorney with a track record of negotiating with insurance companies and taking a case to trial, if necessary, in the pursuit of fair compensation. Many law firms may claim to represent cyclists, but not all have trial lawyers with a proven record of pursuing personal injury cases thoroughly. An experienced attorney who understands insurance company tactics will handle the legal aspects of your case and allow you to focus on your recovery. A skilled bicycle accident lawyer will listen to the details of the incident, conduct a thorough investigation, devise a strategy to recover damages, and deal with the insurance company as they represent your interests. A well-connected bike accident lawyer will also refer you to excellent healthcare practitioners to facilitate your physical and emotional healing.
Have You Been Involved in a Bike Accident? Discover Why It's Greater with Greathouse
At Greathouse Trial Law, Greater with Greathouse is not just a catchphrase ~ it's our law firm’s mission. Our law firm focuses on personal injury cases including car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, bicycle accidents, premises liability, slip and fall accidents, drunk driver accidents, wrongful death, and medical malpractice in and around Atlanta and throughout Georgia.
Our founder, Riah Greathouse, served his community for several years as an Assistant District Attorney in Fulton County, where he prosecuted cases ranging from drugs to violent felonies throughout the county. His service as a prosecutor yielded a tremendous amount of courtroom experience, allowing him to attack personal injury cases with tenacity, often proving to be beneficial in securing a favorable resolution.
Riah's experience as an insurance defense lawyer on behalf of insurance companies gives him a unique advantage when representing injured clients. In this role, Riah noticed the insurance companies treated victims with legitimate injuries unfairly, making it as difficult as possible for them to seek compensation. That's when he vowed to make a difference.
When you work with Greathouse Trial Law, you will experience:
Greater Health
We will connect you with the best doctors available after your injury, to get you through your recovery.
Greater Communication
You will have open lines of communication with our office, as well as the providers charged to help you.
Greater Representation
You will have a fighter on your side against the insurance companies and their attorneys.
Contact us at (678) 310-2827 or complete our online form to schedule your free consultation.
Discover why it’s Greater with Greathouse for bike accident cases.
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Main Office Atlanta
Augusta Office
2918 Professional Pkwy., Suite 303 Augusta, GA 30907
Dacula Office
Dacula, GA, 30019
Marietta Office
2470 Windy Hill Road Suite 300 Marietta, GA, 30067
Roswell Office
821 Atlanta Street Roswell, GA, 30075
Atlanta Office
100 Galleria Parkway Suite 1460, Atlanta, GA 30339
Douglasville Office
5780 Fairburn Rd, Suite 201 Douglasville, GA 30134
Columbus Office
6361 Talokas Lane, Suite C140-275 Columbus, GA 31909
Lawrenceville Office
382 S Perry St, Suite 100 Lawrenceville, GA 30046
Peachtree Corners Office
4047 Holcomb Bridge Rd, Suite 300 Peachtree Corners, GA 30092, USA
Conyers Office
990 Iris Dr SW, Suite 301 Conyers, GA 30094
Conyers Office
1455 Old McDonough Hwy, Suite F, Conyers, GA 30013
Atlanta Office GA, 30354
100 Hartsfield Centre Parkway College Park #500 Atlanta, GA, 30354