Atlanta Bicycle Accident Lawyers

Can I Sue For a Bicycle Accident in Atlanta?

While bicyclists have become more and more prevalent part of our roadways and traffic flow, these travelers are still at a significant safety disadvantage if a collision occurs. Due to a lack of significant bicycle safety features and the exposed nature of a bicycle rider, these accidents can result in significant and life-altering injuries. According to bicycle accident statistics put out by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), over 850 cyclists were killed in crashes with motor vehicles in 2018.

If you are a bicyclist that has been hurt due to motorist negligence, then you may have grounds to seek rightful compensation for your injuries. At Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC, our dedicated Atlanta bicycle accident attorneys have over 75 years of combined legal experience fighting for compensation for injury victims. Over that time, we have recovered millions of dollars on their behalf and allowed them to move on with the relief and dignity they deserve.

If you have been injured in a cycling accident in Atlanta, GA, our attorneys are here to help. Call (888) 425-6070 for a free initial consultation.

On This Page:

• Georgia Bicycle Laws
• What To Do After a Bicycle Accident
• Common Causes of Bike Accidents
• Where Do Most Bicycle Accidents Occur?
• Common Bike Accident Injuries
• Get Help Today!

Georgia Bicycle Laws - Protecting Your Rights!

According to Georgia law, motorists must adhere to the following rules when driving around cyclists. If you were injured because a driver was breaking one of these laws, you may have grounds for a personal injury claim against them.

1. When passing a cyclist, motorists must allow a minimum of 3 feet between them and the cyclist
2. Bicycles are considered vehicles, and as such have the same rights to the road as motor vehicles (with a few exceptions)
3. Motor vehicles must yield to cyclists who are in the bike lane, even if it is on a roadway
4. Cyclists are not required to use bicycle lanes unless local city ordinance requires it

What to Do After a Bicycle Accident

Call the Police

It is always recommended to call the police following an accident. A car on bicycle accident is no different. It is important to wait for police so that they can file a police report.

• Let the police handle the situation. It is better to deal with the police than to try to settle things with the driver alone. Oftentimes, even if a driver accepts blame at the scene, he or she may deny being at fault later. Additionally, it is beneficial to give your statements to the police only so that the driver does not use anything you say against you in court.

In some cases, while writing up the accident report, police only attempt to take a statement from the automobile driver. Try to have them get your statement, as well. If they do not, you can have the police report amended later on.

• Report all injuries, however minor they may seem at the moment. Oftentimes, injuries worsen in a matter of hours, so do not overlook anything even if it seems minor. Point out witnesses to the police so that witness statements can be added to the report.

Get Driver and Witness Contact Information

Get contact information from the driver as well as:

• Their insurance information
• Driver’s license number
• Vehicle license number

It is also important to get contact information from witnesses in case it is not included in the police report. If you are too injured to gather this information on your own, ask someone to help you obtain it.

Seek Medical Attention and Document all Injuries

It is important to seek medical attention for injuries to take care of your health. Injuries that seem minor at first can turn out to be serious. Additionally, showing that you sought medical attention can help your case in court as it shows that you were injured.

• Take pictures of all of your injuries as soon as possible following the injury and start a written log of all of your injuries.
• Take written inventory about the physical symptoms of your injuries every few days.

Preserve Materials from the Accident as Evidence

Everything that was damaged during the crash can be evidence, so keep it in damaged condition. Do not attempt to have your bicycle fixed. Keep your clothes unwashed. Do not send damaged equipment to anyone besides your attorney. Take pictures of damaged equipment.

Contact Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC

Our bike accident attorneys can help you decide the best course of action and provide the representation you need in a lawsuit. It is important to contact an attorney before speaking with the insurance companies, so please contact us today for your free consultation.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Especially in urban areas, like Atlanta, motorists are not always careful to check for bicyclists on the road and those riding bikes are easily overlooked or ignored. When this happens, these bicyclists are put at serious risk for injury.

Common causes of bike accidents that involve driver negligence include:

• Driver failure to signal a turn or lane change
• Driver failure to yield or heed stop signs
• Driver failure to look for nearby bicycles
• Distracted driving by the motorist (texting, talking, etc.)
• Impaired or intoxicated driving

Where Do Most Bicycle Accidents Occur?

The same study by the IIHS showed that 79% of bicycle fatalities occurred in urban areas in 2018. Another study put out by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) showed that accidents occurred most commonly between the hours of 6pm and 9pm.

Accidents are more likely to occur in urban areas due to several reasons:

• Failure to look for cyclists before making a right-hand turn on red
• Failure to check side-mirrors before opening a car door into a bike lane
• Failure to share the road with bike-riders in the city

What are Some of the Most Common Bicycle Injuries?

Some of the most common injuries sustained in cycling accidents include:

• Head and neck injuries (especially if the cyclist was not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash)
• Road rash from skidding across the pavement in a high-impact accident
• Sprained, bruised or torn muscles (particularly hands, wrists, hips, knees, feet, ankles, etc.)
• Broken or crushed bones as a result of the impact or being crushed between the car an another object
• Brain injuries
• Paralysis

Don't Wait to Get Help Today!

When any of these happen, driver negligence has occurred and the motorist bears responsibility for injury to the bicyclist. It is possible, however, to hold the liable parties responsible for these injuries and ensure that your pain and suffering is recognized by the law. The experienced team at Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC is prepared to help you assess your case and, if necessary, start aggressively pursuing the restitution. Contact our bicycle accident attorneys in Atlanta today!

Choose a bicycle accident lawyer in Atlanta ready to fight for you. Contact Goldstein Hayes & Lina, LLC today.