Atlanta Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Atlanta Bicycle Accident Attorney

At any given daylight moment across America approximately 660,000 drivers are using cell phones or manipulating electronic devices while driving; a number that has held steady since 2010. These Distracted drivers account for nearly all bicycle accidents. When these unfortunate situations arise, you deserve to have an Atlanta bicycle accident lawyer on your side who will fight for your voice to be heard and pursue the compensation you may be entitled to.

A bicycle accident is no minor event. They can leave the cyclist with devastating injuries and extensive property damage. When you decide to pursue legal action in order to hold the negligent party accountable for their behavior, you need the sound counsel and representation of an experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyer who can assist you in recovering both physically and financially. In these cases, Merritt & Merritt Law Firm is here for you.

Building a Bike-Friendly Georgia: Bike Safety in the Community

Georgia has many programs in place to make the state more bike-friendly. Some examples of their efforts include creating more bike lanes, educating the public on bike safety, and emphasizing the need for motorists to be more aware of cyclists. At Merritt & Merritt we appreciate and support all efforts to keep pedestrians and cyclists safe on our roadways.

Common Types of Bicycle Accidents in Atlanta

Bicycle accidents are most common when they collide with a moving vehicle or truck. Some of the scenarios our Atlanta bicycle accident lawyer team sees include:

• The Right Hook – When a bicycle is riding on the right side of the vehicle and the vehicle makes a right turn as the bicycle continues to go straight ahead. 
• The Rear End – Occurs when a bicyclist is going straight through an intersection and the vehicle going the opposite direction turns left into the bicyclist. 
• The Left Cross – When a vehicle runs into a bicyclist from behind. This can be one of the most severe accidents for bicycle riders, and is usually caused by distracted drivers.

About Hit and Run Bicycle Accidents

If you are a cyclist who is injured by a hit and run vehicle, it can be difficult to identify the party responsible. However, even if you are unable to identify the driver, many auto insurance policies provide compensation for injuries and damages obtained, even if the at-fault driver is unknown. When a hit and run happens, it is crucial to report the accident as soon as possible, gather as much evidence of the accident as you can, and contact a reliable attorney at Merritt & Merritt to help you through this difficult time and get you the compensation you deserve. 

What to Do If You Have Been Involved in an Atlanta Bicycle Accident?

Suffering any kind of personal injury accident can be a frightening experience. Bicycle accidents can leave the cyclist with extensive injuries and property damage. In these situations, if you are physically able, there are several steps you can take to ensure you have done everything you can to secure a possible positive outcome for a compensation claim.

If you ever find yourself standing in the aftermath of an Atlanta bicycle accident, the lawyers at the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm suggest taking the following steps:

• Call 911: First and most importantly, call for emergency services. If you are able, move yourself out of the way of traffic or other types of danger and seek medical care. Even if you don’t feel hurt or injured, having yourself checked over by healthcare professionals can help determine if you are suffering from any invisible injury, and it can also help support your potential compensation claim.
• Obtain a Police Report: Unfortunately, the insurance companies involved may not take you at your word. It is important to call the police to the scene so that they can document it independently and write up a report. This report can describe what happened in detail and also assign potential liability.
• Gather Contact Information: Make sure to exchange contact and insurance information with the other party or parties involved in the accident. Other than making this contact, do not speak with the other parties or discuss fault. You should also gather the contact information for any individuals who witnessed the accident.
• Collect Evidence: It will be prudent of you to document any evidence available to you. This means taking photos and videos of the accident itself and the placement of your bicycle in relation to other vehicles involved. You should also photograph your injuries and any applicable road conditions. Following the accident, keep documentation of any further medical treatment, medications, or rehabilitation services.
• Contact an Attorney: Dealing with the aftermath of a bicycle accident can be complicated. A personal injury lawyer can help. Let the attorneys at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm handle the more complex and legal aspects of your case while you focus on what is most important: your own rest and recovery.

How the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm Can Support Your Injury Case

If you have been hurt in a bicycle accident in Atlanta, call the Merritt & Merritt Law Firm. Our bicycle accident attorneys have worked on many bike accident cases. We have represented injured bicycle clients hit by distracted drivers who were texting and drivers who were operating their vehicles under the influence (DUI). Regardless of the challenges presented by your case, our attorneys will be aggressive in getting you the compensation you deserve for your injuries.

We understand that compensation does not erase the accident, but it does bring comfort to know that your medical bills along with any other expenses incurred from the accident are paid and that justice was attained. Since 1973, our attorneys have been fighting for the protections and rights of countless clients who have suffered personal injuries. We can handle the negotiations with any involved insurance companies and the negligent party’s legal team.

Common Distractions That Can Result in a Bicycle Crash

Many bicycle accidents occur as a result of negligent or distracted driving. Distracted driving is an activity that could divert a person’s attention away from the primary task of driving. All distractions endanger driver, passenger, and bystander safety.

These types of distractions include:

• Texting
• Using a cell phone or Smartphone
• Eating and drinking
• Talking to passengers
• Grooming
• Reading, including maps
• Using a navigation system
• Watching a video
• Adjusting a radio, CD player, or MP3 player

Commonly Sustained Injuries in Bicycle Accidents

When a bicycle accident involves a motorized vehicle, like a car or truck, the injuries sustained by the cyclist can be severe. These injuries have the potential to result in financially devastating medical bills. The severity is often due to the fact that bicyclists do not have the same kind of protections available to them as the driver of the vehicle.

Common injuries in bicycle accidents might include the following:

• Spinal Cord Injuries: Because there is nothing to restrain them, bicyclists are often thrown onto nearby objects or into the roadway during an accident. This can cause harm to the spinal cord and result in fractured vertebrae, potentially resulting in paralysis or chronic pain.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries: Even when wearing a helmet, a cyclist can suffer trauma to their brain, such as a concussion. These situations can lead to a need for constant care or rehabilitation.
• Head Injuries: Being thrown from a bike can offer a greater chance of suffering a serious head injury. Even when wearing a helmet, cyclists can suffer concussions, bruising, or skull fractures.
• Facial Injuries: Suffering a bicycle accident can result in knocked-out teeth, fractured noses or jaws, or the loss of eyesight. You might also suffer road rash, permanent disfigurement or scarring, and other damage that will require the need for plastic surgery.
• Broken Bones: Most common in bicycle accidents, broken bones can include arms, legs, collarbones, wrists, and ankles. Torn tendons and ligaments can also occur.
• Limb Loss: While not a common occurrence in a bicycle accident, limbs can be lost, which may lead to the need for costly prosthetic devices and will drastically alter the cyclist’s life.

About E-Bikes Accidents in Atlanta

E-bikes can pose increased risks to riders compared to traditional bicycles. E-bikes can achieve speeds of up to 30 mph, which may cause a loss of control and a higher risk of more severe accidents. It is imperative for riders of e-bikes to be aware of these risks and wear the proper safety gear when riding. If you or a loved one were involved in an e-bike accident, our Atlanta bicycle accident lawyer team can help. 

Atlanta Bicycle Accident Law FAQs

Q: How Much Do Accident Lawyers Charge in Atlanta, GA?

A: In Atlanta, Georgia, it can be difficult to assign an exact value to how much it might cost to hire a bike accident lawyer. This is because there can be several deciding factors that affect the final cost analysis of a case. These factors might include the severity of injuries suffered, the complexity of the case, the experience of your attorney, and their location.

Q: Who Is Usually at Fault When a Bicycle Is Involved in an Accident?

A: Depending on the specific circumstances of the bicycle accident, there can be several parties held at fault for the accident itself and the injuries and property damage suffered. These parties might include a negligent or reckless driver, the manufacturers of the bike itself if the product or components of the bike are damaged or faulty, or cities and municipalities if the accident occurred due to potholes, obstructed signage, or faulty traffic lights.

Q: What Is the Statute of Limitations on Bicycle Accident Claims in Georgia?

A: In the state of Georgia, there is a two-year limit or statute of limitation on personal injury cases. This means that you have two years following the accident and the time of injury to bring a compensation claim forward. However, if injuries are not discovered until a later date, that two-year time limit begins on the date the injuries were found as long as those injuries are a direct result of the past accident.

Q: What Are Some Possible Damages I Could Recover From a Bicycle Accident in Atlanta, GA?

A: In the state of Georgia, there are several types of damages you might be able to recover depending on the exact nature and details of your bicycle accident in Atlanta, GA. These damages might include economic damages for medical costs, loss of potential earnings, loss of wages, or loss of employment. It might also include non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, loss of quality of life, emotional distress, or loss of consortium.

Q: Does Insurance Cover the Responsible Driver?

A: If you are a cyclist injured by a motorist in Georgia, you will have to deal with insurance companies for compensation. If the driver is found to be at fault in the state of Georgia, the insurance generally covers the car and not the driver of the car. This means that if the driver of the car is not the owner, then the owner’s insurance is the one that will be the one covering most of the damages. Because of this, it is important to know what your insurance covers and be mindful of who you let drive your vehicle. If you find yourself with a personal injury claim either that you file or that is against you, the lawyers at Merritt & Merritt are here for you.

Exceptions to Georgia’s Statute of Limitations for Bicycle Accidents

In Georgia, a person with a personal injury claim generally has two years to file a claim after the incident. However, there are some exceptions to that rule. If the injured party is a minor, the two years does not start until the minor turns 18. If the injured party is incapacitated mentally, the two years does not start until they are deemed competent. If the at-fault party intentionally keeps important information related to the case from being released, this could also cause the two years to be extended until that information is obtained. These situations can become very complicated, so it is imperative to have a reliable attorney from Merritt & Merritt by your side to help you through the process. 

Contact an Experienced Atlanta Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today

Our Atlanta bike accident attorneys can visit you at your home, at the hospital, or at the accident scene.  We are committed to assisting our clients through the entire process:  from beginning to end.

If you have questions or need further assistance, please feel free to contact us at 404-975-1775 for a free consultation. Remember, the earlier you contact us, the quicker we can get started on your case which usually renders a high settlement or verdict.

Atlanta Bicycle Accident Resources:

• US Government Website for Distracted Drivers
• Georgia Bikes-Bicycle Laws
• Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety

If you have further questions or need to discuss a potential claim, contact us at 404-975-1775 or via our free case review form.