Georgia Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Bicycles are a great way to get around in Georgia. Avid cyclists will tell you that little compares to being out in the sunshine on their bike—whether it’s on a trail or commuting to work. Unfortunately, bicycle accidents happen every day, and they are often the result of careless, inattentive drivers. And it’s usually bicyclists who pay the price. Cyclists are far more likely to be injured in a crash with a car than anyone inside the vehicle. If you’ve been injured on your bike, you have legal options. You need to talk to a Georgia car accident lawyer.

With over 20 years of experience, our lawyers have seen firsthand what injured cyclists go through. We know that vehicle drivers can be aggressive and reckless toward cyclists—and we are on your side. Our goal is simple: maximize the amount of money you recover when you need it most. Let us give you a free consultation. Give us a call at (888) 553-0419 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.

What do I need to know if I was in a bicycle accident in Georgia?

In Georgia, bicycles are considered “vehicles.” That means that the laws that apply to cars and trucks also apply to bicyclists in most circumstances as well. But, many drivers and cyclists don’t realize that they should be treated this way, which is often why accidents happen.

There are also some laws that apply only to bicyclists. And these come with a wide variety of exceptions to the general rule that a cyclist should be treated like a car. That can make bicycle laws confusing, but it doesn’t change the fact that bicyclists, like all people in “vehicle” accidents, have a right to recover damages for an accident they didn’t cause.

Below are just a few need-to-know bicycle laws in Georgia that will often affect an accident claim:

Drivers of motor vehicles should always yield to someone who is riding their bike in a bicycle lane
Drivers should leave at least three feet between their car and a bicycle when passing
Bicyclists are generally not allowed to ride their bikes on sidewalks unless local ordinances permit that they can do so
Anyone riding a bike can ride on a paved shoulder, but it’s not required
Bicyclists should generally ride as close as possible to the right side of the roadway, but there are several safety exceptions
Those on bicycles in the bike lane should ride in the same direction as traffic
Bicyclists should not ride with more than two people side by side in a lane, except in specially designated areas that are for bike riders only
Children under the age of 16 cannot ride their bikes on highways, bike paths, bike lanes, or sidewalks without wearing a helmet

Officially, Georgia has put these laws in place for your safety as a bicyclist. However, many of these laws are also used by insurers to try to deny claims by cyclists. Their argument will be that, if you were violating a bicycle law, the accident was at least partly your fault. Do not allow yourself to be blamed for your own accident. In many cases, even if you were in violation of a bicycle safety law, the car that hit you may still be at fault.

4 Things You Should Do After a Bike Accident

Because bicycles are treated like motor vehicles under Georgia law, you should take many of the same actions after a bike accident as you would after a car accident. That includes calling the police and getting an accident report.

Of course, in many cases, the cyclist is also seriously injured. 911 should always be your first priority if needed. But, if you don’t have to go straight to the hospital, here are four steps you should take:

Get medical attention.

If you were hit by a car on a bike, chances are that you will have serious injuries. The speed and impact of the crash could cause internal damage that you may not even realize that you have. Fractures and head injuries are especially common. It’s always a good idea to get medical attention after a bike accident.

Wait for the police.

If you feel like you’re okay, it’s tempting just to brush it off and keep going—but don’t! Call the police and wait to make a report with them. The police will help you gather information about the driver who as at fault, including their license and insurance data. Drivers are less likely to give cyclists this information because they aren’t sure if their insurance will apply, but in most situations, it will. The police are also helpful because they may issue a ticket to the at-fault driver too. That is not only helpful for your legal case, but it may force the driver to be more attentive next time, so other cyclists aren’t injured.

Don’t accept an apology and move on.

Many drivers will realize that they are at fault in a bike accident. They will try to apologize or take the blame and talk you into not calling the police or reporting the incident to their insurance company, sometimes even after you leave the scene of the collision. Don’t fall for this—in many situations, they deny blame later, making you footing the bill. Be sure to get all of their information and involve the police.

Document what happened.

Your memory about what happened just before and during the crash will fade over time. Take a minute after things calm down a bit to write down anything you can remember about the event, including what you were doing before it happened, the weather, how fast you were going, and anything you can recall about the driver. You should also jot down a description of your injuries. It may also be a good idea to keep a diary of how your treatment and medical care is progressing as well. Having all of this documentation will help you remember everything later as your legal case progresses.

Talk to a Georgia Bicycle Accident for Free

Our lawyers never work for insurance companies—we only help those who were injured. Let us show you the difference we can make in your bike accident case. We’ll give you a FREE consultation and we charge you nothing if we cannot recover money for you. Call us at (888) 553-0419 or fill out the form to the right to schedule your free consultation today.