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Why You Need an Attorney After a Bicycle Accident

Table of Contents

  1. The Potential Dangers of Bike Accidents
  2. Why You Need a Bicycle Accident Attorney
  3. Contact a Bicycle Accident Attorney

More people are using bicycles in Athens, Georgia, than ever before. After all, it’s a great way to get a fun workout, clear your mind, and avoid that messy rush hour traffic. 

Also, many roads around town now have designated bike lanes, which help you avoid crashing into pedestrians or automobiles. As more people ditch their cars to use their bikes to get around town, traffic congestion is reduced, as well as fuel consumption, which helps keep the air in our city cleaner.  

As you can see, there are numerous benefits that riding a bicycle can provide to you as an individual as well as to your local community. However, there are inherent dangers when riding your bike such as dangers of bicycle accidents.

I met with Harry Brown personally and he sat with me for 20 minutes at our initial consultation to explain everything. He even called after my surgery to see how I was doing. I met with him several more times after that and was kept informed about my case throughout. I highly recommend Harry Brown as an attorney.

STEVEN SWEENY, SAVANNAH 

The Potential Dangers of Bike Accidents 

Despite the numerous benefits that bike riding can provide, there’s no escaping the reality that cyclists are more vulnerable to accidents. They lack the protection that cars and trucks provide, so the potential for severe and even fatal injuries is increased significantly. 

Aside from the physical injury aspect, you also have to consider the damages done to your bike as well. With the rise in popularity with bicycles, the prices have risen considerably as well. If your bike has been damaged in the accident, it can be costly to replace. The property damage isn’t just related to your bicycle. It also includes any gear and personal property you were carrying with you at the time of the accident. While most people don’t think of the property damage done in a bike accident, it can be quite high.

Why You Need a Bicycle Accident Attorney

On the surface, a bicycle injury claim may not seem all that complex. You may even be tempted to handle the case yourself. After all, a bike accident should be reasonably easy to understand: the other side was negligent, and you’re due compensation money to replace the damaged property and to cover any injuries you sustained.  

The benefits that bicycle accident attorneys can provide:

  • Professional experience negotiating with insurance companies:
    If you decide to handle your bicycle accident claim, you will have to negotiate with the insurance companies involved. This is not something that the average person has experience with. Attorneys, however, are in contact with insurance companies daily as part of their work. They are familiar with the negotiating tactics that insurance companies use and are comfortable dealing with them. If an insurance company takes a hard stance with the average person, he or she will typically give in and accept the offer. Your attorney will know how to respond and to fight back to make sure that the compensation you deserve is awarded.
  • Bicycle attorneys fight for the compensation you are owed:
    Most insurance companies will try to underestimate your insurance claims. Unless you have years of experience in dealing with them, you will likely be taken advantage of and fall for their clever tricks. That’s why having an attorney can help make sure that you are compensated fairly. The bicycle accident attorney will be able to guide you to make sure the proper steps are taken. Your attorney will make sure that you document any time that you have missed from work, and any future time that may be missed due to your injuries. The cost of your medical care as well needs to be documented, and if it’s a longterm injury, future care needs to be accounted for. The attorney will also make sure that the property damage is taken into account when calculating your settlement. All of these things an experienced attorney will be able to help guide you in collecting so that the insurance companies give you the compensation that you deserve.
  • Timing is everything:
    When fighting for a bicycle accident claim, the longer you wait to hire an attorney, the less your settlement can be. Insurance companies will argue that the gap between the accident and the claim is when the injury occurred. They will say that your injury wasn’t a result of the accident, because you waited to file the claim it could’ve happened in that period of time.  This is why getting to a bicycle accident attorney can help you. They can start the process right away as you are recovering from your injuries. 
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Related Article

Dangers of Bicycle Accidents (Infographic)

Contact a Bicycle Accident Attorney

Handling a bicycle accident claim on your own seems like it would be cut and dry, but often it is not. That is why you need an experienced bicycle accident attorneys like the ones at The Brown Firm in Athens, Georgia.  

The Brown Firm does not charge any up-front fees to begin legal work. All of the attorneys work on a contingency fee basis, and this means they only get paid when you receive a settlement from the other parties’ insurance company. 

Don’t take time out of your recovery from your bicycle accident to fight this on your own. Contact the Bicycle Accident Attorneys of the Brown Firm  by calling (912) 324-5279 for a Free Consultation to discuss the nature of your case or click the link below and let us fight for you. 

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Schedule your free consultation by calling (800) 529-1441 or completing our simple online form.

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If you or a loved one were injured and need help, our skilled personal injury lawyers will be at your side every step of the way.

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Dangers of Bicycle Accidents (Infographic)

Commuting by bicycle has grown in popularity in the last 20 years, with the number of cyclists in the U.S reaching over 47.5 million. Many people ride their bikes to work or while traveling around their city as a transportation alternative that has countless benefits for health, finances, and the environment.

Unfortunately, bicycles also come with inherent safety disadvantages, mainly involving traffic crashes. Because bicycles offer less protection from impact than other vehicles, a moving vehicle that slams into a bike rarely allows the cyclist to walk away with only a few scratches.

Here’s what to do when hit by an automobile while riding your bicycle. 

I met with Harry Brown personally and he sat with me for 20 minutes at our initial consultation to explain everything. He even called after my surgery to see how I was doing. I met with him several more times after that and was kept informed about my case throughout. I highly recommend Harry Brown as an attorney.

STEVEN SWEENY, SAVANNAH 

 

Latest Bicycle Accident Statistics – 2017

· In 2017, 777 bicyclists were killed in motor vehicle crashes.

· 86 percent of these victims were 20 years old or older.

· After 6 years of steadily increasing bicyclist deaths, the number of fatalities decreased in 2017 by 8 percent.

· 54 percent of bicyclists who died in 2017 were not wearing helmets.

· Bike fatalities were highest in August with 11 percent and lowest in February and March with 6 percent each.

· 75 percent of cyclist deaths occurred in urban areas.

· 36 percent of bicyclist deaths occurred at intersections.

· 59 percent of bicyclist deaths happened on major roads excluding interstates and freeways.

· 33 percent of fatalities occurred on minor roads.

Related Post: What an Insurance Adjuster Doesn’t Want you to Know (Infographic).

Injuries Sustained in Bicycle Accidents

· Traumatic Brain Injuries

· Broken Bones

· Scrapes and Abrasions

· Death/Fatality

Related Article

Why You Need an Attorney After a Bicycle Accident

Frequent Causes

· Distracted Drivers and Cyclists

It is not uncommon for drivers to become distracted behind the wheel. 25-50% of auto vehicle crashes are related to driver distraction. Many activities can divert the driver’s attention from the road. Common distractions include talking or texting on the phone, eating and drinking, fiddling with the stereo or navigation and talking to people in the car.

Distracted driving has also contributed to numerous cyclist fatalities. In 2015, 76 out of 818 cyclists’ deaths were caused by distracted drivers.

However, bicyclists can become distracted as easily as drivers and are just as likely to crash if distraction occurs. Many cyclists get distracted by their hands-free mobile phone or headphones which can cause them to veer into oncoming traffic or fail to maintain the bicycle lane.

· Drivers Failing to Yield to Cyclists

Bike accidents that involve a vehicle are usually a violation of negligence laws in which a driver fails to yield the right of way to a cyclist. These bike accidents are similar to a car accident that happens after a driver turns at a green light without yielding to traffic coming from the opposite direction.

A recent study conducted by the Florida Department of Transportation and the University of South Florida’s Center for Urban Transportation Research recorded 4 out of 21 close calls that involved drivers who failed to yield correctly as they turned. In all of these instances, the cyclists were abiding by traffic laws.

· Dooring Accidents

A dooring accident refers to a bicyclist who runs into a car door which has been opened directly in front of them. The door blocks the biker who doesn’t have enough time to notice, stop or swerve out of the way.

Dooring accidents are common in cities with busy streets and heavy traffic where bicyclists are forced to ride close to parked cars. In 2016, 490 injuries occurred because of dooring incidents. Of these injuries, 429 were slight injuries, 60 resulted in severe injuries and one led to a casualty.

The unfortunate victims who collide with an opening car door are lucky if the accident results in some slapstick or maybe a few scratches on their bike; however, plenty of dooring victims are not so fortunate. Many sustain serious injuries or are killed by these accidents.

· Defective Bicycle Parts

Many people think that bike accidents only involve crashing into a car or a stationary object near the road, such as a sign or fire hydrant. However, some bicycle accidents are the result of mechanical failure. If a bike has components that fail because of a defective product, this can cause a serious crash.

Any person that buys a bicycle expects it to work correctly. However, some bicycle parts such as forks, frames, handlebar stems, wheels, brakes or release hubs on the front wheels can stop working at a moment’s notice. When a part malfunctions, it can cause the bicyclist to be thrown straight over their handlebars.

Many bicycle accidents that occur because of a defective product are severe. When a part malfunctions, it typically comes as a shock to the cyclist who does not have time to control how they land or what they land on.

Bicycle Safety

Bicycles offer very little protection against severe injuries, making bicyclists more vulnerable on the road than those who drive other vehicles. Both cyclists and drivers share the same rights and responsibilities on the roadway and should practice safe choices to help reduce deaths and injuries on the road.

Every Bicyclist Should:

· Protect their head by wearing a properly fitting helmet while riding.

· Stay focused on the road, surrounding traffic, and anything that could make you lose control of your bike.

· Ride on the road in the same direction as traffic.

· Watch out for parked cars and put some distance between yourself and the cars to avoid any unexpected opening doors.

· Stay alert while riding your bike by refraining from listening to music or talking on the phone.

Every Driver Should:

· Yield to bicyclists when making a turn to avoid a collision.

· Never open the door of a vehicle until you check that it is safe to do so.

· Give cyclists room and let them pass just as you would for any other vehicle.

· Obey all traffic laws and reduce speed when the road conditions call for it to avoid colliding with a bicyclist.

If you or a loved one were involved in a bicycle crash, don’t hesitate to contact The Brown Firm Bicycle Accident Lawyers today at (912) 200-9755.

Ready to Talk to a Lawyer Who Has Your Back?

Schedule a Free Consult

Our Recent Personal Injury Articles

View All Articles
Contact The Brown Firm

Get the Answers and Compensation You Deserve

You’ll notice the difference when you contact The Brown Firm! Our local dedicated attorneys want to help you recover and rebuild.

Schedule your free consultation by calling (800) 529-1441 or completing our simple online form.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

If you or a loved one were injured and need help, our skilled personal injury lawyers will be at your side every step of the way.

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What To Do When Hit By An Automobile While Riding Your Bicycle

Table of Contents

  1. Steps to Take When a Bicycle and an Automobile Collide in Georgia
  2. Bicycle Riding Safety Tips
  3. Signals Bike Riders Need to Use

Riding a bicycle has so many advantages, but it can be dangerous as well.

Using a bicycle for your daily commute is good exercise, ecofriendly, and you don’t get stuck in traffic jams.

It is also a fun recreational activity that many people enjoy.

However, drivers overlook cyclists all too often.

Cities have painted specific lanes just for cyclists to ride in.

According to Georgia Law, motor vehicles have to yield to those riding a bicycle in the bike lane. They also have to stay at least three feet back from the bicycle or three feet to the side when passing. The safe way for a car to pass a bike rider is to allow three feet between them meaning the vehicle will have to cross the yellow line which is legal in this case as long as oncoming traffic is all clear and safe to do so.

If drivers follow these particular laws, then it will keep cyclists’ safe and make sharing the road not a problem at all.

It is important to understand that bicycles count as vehicles on the road as well so they do not have to ride in bike lanes. Bike riders can ride in bike lanes, on the shoulder of the road, and in regular driving lanes.

Riders must follow safety laws no matter where they choose to ride and drivers must follow the important safety rules along with traffic laws to ensure they safely driving.

Unfortunately, most people are running behind or are distracted when driving. A lot of people talk on their phones, eat, and even do their makeup while driving making the road a dangerous place, especially for a cyclist.

It is hard to spot a cyclist when the driver is barely paying attention anyway.

Although it is not the cyclists fault, it is all the more important for them to be proactive about their own safety.

Wearing bright colors and have lights really helps with visibility.

As you can imagine the dangers of being the smallest means of transportation on the road, what do you do if you are ever in an accident?

I met with Harry Brown personally and he sat with me for 20 minutes at our initial consultation to explain everything. He even called after my surgery to see how I was doing. I met with him several more times after that and was kept informed about my case throughout. I highly recommend Harry Brown as an attorney.

STEVEN SWEENY, SAVANNAH 

Steps to Take when a Bicycle and an Automobile Collide in GeorgiaWhat to do after a Bicycle Crash

  1. Get medical treatment if needed.
  2. Take pictures of the accident; location, car, bike, injuries, time of day, and weather.
  3. Report accident. It is no different than any other automobile accident; you need to have police documentation of the accident for insurance reasons.
  4. Leave your bike in the same position it was in when you were hit until the officer can see it.
  5. Get the officers business card.
  6. Keep a picture of what your bike look like before the accident, so the damages are obvious.
  7. Get witness information and statements.
  8. Do not talk to an insurance company or negotiate with the driver.
  9. Get the drivers information such as their name, contact, and insurance information.
  10. Contact a Personal Injury Attorney right away.
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Bicycle Riding Safety Tips

  1. Always ride with your cell phone on you.
  2. Carry insurance information with you.
  3. Wear helmet, elbow and knee pads, and protective riding gloves.
  4. Proper footwear is important.
  5. Ride in designated bicycle lanes if provided.
  6. Be aware of vehicles blind spots.
  7. Obey traffic signals especially stop signs and stop lights.
  8. Use proper signals as a cyclist letting those around you know your next move.
  9. Have a white light mounted on the front of your bike and a red light on the back of your bike (this is the law for night time driving but helpful on cloudy days or shaded areas).
  10. Wear bright clothing.
  11. Have reflectors on your clothing when riding in the evening or at night.
  12. Have regular maintenance done on your bike.

Related Article

Why You Need an Attorney After a Bicycle Accident

Signals Bike Riders Need to Use

Georgia Bicycle Safety

Turn Left: holding your left arm out horizontally

Turn Right: holding your right arm out horizontally or using your left arm upward (making the letter L)

Slowing down or stopping: left arm bent downward

Sadly, not all people follow these safety tips. About 2% of auto accidents fatalities are bicyclists. It has been documented that 50 percent of bicycle head injuries can be prevented from cyclists wearing helmets.

Riders 16 and under must wear a helmet by law. Their helmet must fit properly and follow nationally recognized standards.

For further information on Riding in Georgia read the Bicycling Pocket Guide.

If you or someone you care about was injured because of someone’s careless driving, contact our Bicycle Accident s in Georgia to represent the avid bicyclist in your life.

Related Post: Comprehending Nursing Home Abuse.

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Our Recent Personal Injury Articles

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Contact The Brown Firm

Get the Answers and Compensation You Deserve

You’ll notice the difference when you contact The Brown Firm! Our local dedicated attorneys want to help you recover and rebuild.

Schedule your free consultation by calling (800) 529-1441 or completing our simple online form.

Schedule Your Free Consultation

If you or a loved one were injured and need help, our skilled personal injury lawyers will be at your side every step of the way.

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.