Georgia Bicycle Accident Lawyers
Helping You Get the Money You Need After a Bike Accident in Georgia
There are a lot of good reasons to ride a bicycle. Riding a bike is a healthy form of exercise that gives you a full-body workout while boosting your cardiovascular system. It’s also an effective mode of transportation that leaves a very small carbon footprint.
Perhaps the greatest benefit of biking is the exhilarating connection you feel to the world around you as you soak up the beautiful Georgia landscape. Popular bike trails in Georgia include Miller Lake Trail, Jekyll Island Trails, and Olde Rope Mill Park.
Although riding a bicycle is a wonderful experience, there is one drawback—bicycle accidents cause serious injuries, especially when they involve collisions with cars, trucks, and SUVs.
The Georgia personal injury lawyers at Butler Prather LLP have been helping bike riders in Georgia for over 35 years. If you’ve been injured in a bike crash caused by a careless driver, we’ll file a claim or lawsuit to help you get the money you need to cover your medical bills and other expenses, such as lost wages and occupational therapy.
Our skilled litigators have won over a billion dollars in settlements and verdicts for clients in over 30 states. We’ve won nine verdicts exceeding $100 million and over 60 verdicts and settlements of over $10 million.
Call us at (706) 322-1990 to schedule a complimentary consultation today.
Unsafe Drivers Cause Bicycle Accidents in Georgia
Cycling is increasing in popularity across Georgia, and advocates for bike safety and bike-friendly policies have made significant headway in recent years. But Georgia still has a long way to go in terms of providing adequate infrastructure such as bike lanes, trails, and paths. Georgia lags behind most states in terms of cyclist safety. In fact, the state’s bicyclist fatality rate is worse than the national average.
In addition to the state’s inadequate infrastructure, careless driving habits are another major cause of bicycle accident injuries and fatalities in Georgia. Unsafe driving habits that contribute to the dismal bicycle safety statistics in Georgia include:
- Speeding drivers don’t have enough time to react to bicycles they encounter, and the reduced stopping time leads to injuries and fatalities for defenseless cyclists struck by drivers who go too fast.
- DUI. Drinking impairs several skills and abilities that are essential to safe driving, including vision, judgment, coordination, and reflexes.
- Distracted driving. A moment of distraction caused by drivers who are talking, texting, checking their GPS, reaching for an object inside the vehicle, or performing any other unnecessary activity can make the difference between life and death for a person who’s traveling on a bicycle.
- Intersections are one of the most dangerous places on the road. It’s crucial for drivers to remain alert and prepare to slow down when they approach an intersection. Drivers will also want to look out for bicycles when entering crosswalks and making turns.
- Dooring occurs when a driver or a driver-side passenger in a parked car fails to check traffic before opening the door. Bicycle riders don’t have enough time to react in this situation, and these accidents cause serious injuries.
- Unsafe passing. Georgia law requires motorists to change lanes when passing a bicycle unless the lane is too narrow or the adjacent lane is occupied. If drivers are unable to change lanes, they must proceed with caution and provide at least three feet of clearance when passing a bicycle.
Staying Safe While Riding Your Bike in Georgia
The best way to keep everyone safe on the road is for motorists and bicycle riders to take sensible precautions. For example, motorists should never drive when they’re intoxicated or if they’re feeling fatigued, angry, or upset.
There are important precautions that bicyclists can take, such as wearing gloves and protective clothing and using reflective and bright-colored gear to make yourself more noticeable. Helmets are legally required in Georgia for riders under 16, but we recommend them for people of all ages. You’ll want to make sure your children wear helmets that are approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) or Snell Foundation to be in compliance with Georgia Law.
What To Do After a Bike Accident
Being struck by a motor vehicle while you’re out riding your bike is a devasting experience. But there are steps you can take to protect your well-being, ease your recovery, and strengthen your personal injury claim.- Call 911.
- See your doctor right away and inform them about all the symptoms you’re feeling.
- Use your cell phone to capture some photos of the accident scene. If you require emergency medical treatment, you can ask a friend to take pictures for you.
- Collect contact information from the driver and anyone who witnesses the collision.
- Contact Butler Prather LLP.
- Don’t reveal details about the accident on social media or talk about it with friends.
- If an insurance agent contacts you and tries to get you to make a statement or sign any agreements, politely decline and tell them that your attorney will be getting in touch with them.
How Can a Georgia Bike Accident Lawyer Help?
The Georgia bicycle accident attorneys at Butler Prather LLP will investigate the accident by inspecting physical evidence, interviewing witnesses, reviewing the accident report, and collecting available dashcam and surveillance camera footage. Then, we will file a claim or a lawsuit against anyone whose negligent actions contributed to your inquiries.
If the other side refuses to make a reasonable offer, Butler Prather LLP is always prepared to take your case to trial, and we have an extremely impressive track record in personal injury cases.
Damages Available for Bike Accident Victims in Georgia
Bicycle crashes involving motor vehicles cause catastrophic injuries such as whiplash, bone fractures, paralysis, crush injuries, and traumatic brain injury (TBI). Victims are often forced to live with chronic pain and serious disabilities. You may require extended medical treatment, and you might not be able to perform many of the activities you enjoyed before the accident occurred.
When Butler Prather LLP files a claim or lawsuit on behalf of a bicycle accident victim, it will include the following types of damages:
- Current and future medical expenses
- Reduced quality of life
- Medical devices
- Lost wages
- Pain and suffering
- In-home nursing care
- Wheelchair ramps for your home
- Reduced earning potential
- Loss of consortium
- Wrongful death
Have You Suffered Catastrophic Injuries in a Bike Accident?
At Butler Prather LLP, we make ourselves available to our clients because we know how important your case is. We believe the person who injured you should have to pay for it, and our Georgia catastrophic injury lawyers will pursue every legal avenue to get you the resources you need to recover.
Butler Prather LLP has been recognized by Super Lawyers for our outstanding legal achievement and commitment to client satisfaction.
To start exploring your legal options, give us a call at (706) 322-1990 today.