- Meet Our Bike Accident Lawyers in Atlanta, GA
- Atlanta Bicycle Accident Statistics
- Atlanta Bicycle Laws
- What Are the Most Frequent Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Atlanta?
- What Is the Most Common Type of Bicycle Accident Injuries in Atlanta?
- Damages That Can Be Recovered in Atlanta Bike Accidents
- How Much Is a Bicycle Accident Claim Worth in Atlanta?
- Our recent settlements
- Who Is Liable for a Bicycle Accident in Atlanta?
- How Do You Prove Fault in a Bicycle Accident in Atlanta?
- Statute of Limitations for a Bicycle Accident Claim in Atlanta
- How Can an Atlanta Bicycle Accident Lawyer Help Your Case?
- How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
- Contact Our Atlanta Bicycle Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation Today!
- Get a FREE case evaluation today
Atlanta is a hospitable and beautiful city with diverse cultures. However, it has a mixed reputation when it comes to bicyclist safety. Although it has reached the bronze level in the American League of Bicyclists, its infrastructure isn’t truly cyclist-friendly.
Forbes’ recent study ranks Atlanta among the top 10 worst US cities for driving. The city’s streets are dangerous for every category of road users — but bicyclists remain among the most vulnerable groups. So, should you or your family members get hurt in a bike accident — you must be fully aware of how to protect your rights and secure a fair settlement for the sustained damages.
Meet Our Bike Accident Lawyers in Atlanta, GA
Bicycle laws may seem like a true labyrinth for those with a limited understanding of the field. At Bicycle Accident Lawyers Group, we have many avid bike riders on the team. Not only are they seasoned in the Georgia law system, but they also understand the range of challenges that Atlanta bicycle riders face.
Our personal injury lawyers strive to apply their legal background and experience to help you find justice, regardless of the accident’s difficulty or the severity of your injuries. We’ll help you investigate, build, and succeed with the case, despite the reluctance of the involved parties to admit fault and issue a rightful settlement!
Atlanta Bicycle Accident Statistics
Atlanta remains one of the top three least bike-friendly cities in America, with a bikeability score of only 42 when the national average is 54. However, local authorities are working to improve the situation. The Atlanta Regional Commission has launched a long-term community improvement plan to enhance existing infrastructure and create new facilities. However, the Georgia state bicycle accident statistics are still quite concerning.
Here’s an overview of bicycle crashes in Fulton County, GA from 2020 to 2023:
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | |
| Bicycle crashes | 68 | 121 | 142 | 154 |
| Fatalities | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Serious injuries | 5 | 20 | 15 | 19 |
| Visible injuries | 16 | 40 | 54 | 60 |
75% of all crashes in 2023 happened during the daytime and primarily in urban areas. However, bicycle accidents in rural areas are more serious and more likely to be fatal, mainly because there are fewer properly equipped bike lanes, higher speed limits, and longer emergency response times.
Another contributing factor to the growing number of injured bicycle riders across Georgia is cyclists’ neglect of helmet use. Recent reports indicate that 65% of injured bicyclists weren’t wearing a helmet at the moment of the incident.
Atlanta Bicycle Laws
Even if you follow all the traffic safety principles and bicycle laws in Georgia, you can still get into an accident. But knowing them will give you an idea of what your rights and obligations are so that no one would shift the blame on you.
- In Atlanta, as well as across the state, cyclists must follow local traffic rules, signs, and signals, just as other vehicle riders.
- Every rider under 16 years old must wear a helmet. The requirement is optional for older cyclists.
- You should stick to the right side of the street while riding on a roadway.
- No bicyclist should wear earphones or other devices that block both ears. At least one ear should be unaffected.
- A bicyclist shouldn’t carry any baggage, packages, or bundles that limit their driving capacity.
- Riders under 12 years old are allowed on the sidewalk. The rest of the cyclists aren’t allowed to use it in most situations.
- Only two bicycles traveling side-by-side are allowed on bicycle lanes.
What Are the Most Frequent Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Atlanta?
There are many reasons why Atlanta bicycle accidents are so common. Most of them stem from negligence, recklessness, and ignorance.
- Distracted drivers: Distracted driving often causes serious bicycle vs. car accidents and inflicts severe injuries. It takes just a second to check your phone or the GPS device or exchange a few words with a passenger to end up in a devastating accident.
- Driving conditions: One may be surprised by how common and serious road defect accidents can be. A treacherous pothole, piling debris, or other obstacles can lead to tragic consequences for a bicyclist.
- Blind spots: Every street has its blind spots. Whether these are walls, buildings, trees, or other vehicles, they can temporarily obstruct the full view of the road and lead to a tragic collision.
- Dooring incidents: When a driver opens their door without checking their side mirror, they risk hitting an approaching cyclist or sending them straight under the wheels of another vehicle.
- Bicycle defect: In some cases, it is a malfunctioning bike that becomes the reason for a serious crash. That’s why it is so important to check your vehicle before driving out into the busy streets of Atlanta.
What Is the Most Common Type of Bicycle Accident Injuries in Atlanta?
All bicycle accidents differ based on the severity, conditions, and other underlying factors. However, most personal injury cases involve the following traumas:
- Fractures: Lack of proper body protection results in broken bones, especially the limbs. Some of the fractures are exceptionally serious and require costly surgeries and lasting rehabilitation for the cyclist to regain full use of the body part.
- Head injury: Since it is not mandatory in Atlanta to wear a helmet for cyclists over 16, traumatic brain injuries are common when a person is thrown off the bike.
- Back injuries: Just as skull fractures and concussions, spinal cord injuries stem from the force of the collision embraced by the rider’s body. Herniated discs, nerve damage, and paralysis are serious conditions that can temporarily or permanently affect a victim’s mobility.
- Dog bites: When a dog chases a bicycle, the rider may get into a serious collision trying to avoid the animal, or they can suffer painful bites that can lead to implications in the form of severe infections.
- Road rash: Falling off the bike onto the concrete often leads to scratches and abrasions. Some of them may leave visible scars or get infected if not treated properly.
Damages That Can Be Recovered in Atlanta Bike Accidents
Even for a minor bicycle accident, you should file a claim to get compensation. Considering that some circumstances may have a delayed effect and not manifest at once, an experienced bicycle accident lawyer can help you assess all the damages in full.
Usually, damages are divided into three main categories:
- Economic damages
- Non-economic damages
- Punitive damages.
The first two categories aim to compensate the victims of bicycle collisions for the following losses:
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Medical expenses
The more serious the injury, the costlier the treatment and rehabilitation. All your hospital bills, prescriptions, therapy sessions, and other medical care costs should be fully reimbursed by the at-fault party or their insurance company.
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Property damage
An accident almost always inflicts damage on the vehicles involved. Usually, the bike sustains more significant harm than a motor vehicle. That is why repair or replacement expenses are up for reimbursement.
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Lost wages
If the sustained trauma forces you to take time off work, all the missed work days and the lost income must be fairly settled. The same applies to a decreased working capacity that stems from the injury.
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Pain and suffering
Physical pain and emotional trauma that bicycle accident victims go through are quite challenging to reflect in a monetary equivalent. However, anything is possible with a skilled personal injury lawyer by your side.
Punitive damages serve as a punishment measure taken against extremely reckless and negligent at-fault parties.
How Much Is a Bicycle Accident Claim Worth in Atlanta?
Even the most experienced bicycle accident attorneys in Atlanta can’t say how much a claim is worth without discussing its details. Each settlement is unique and relies on a variety of factors, including:
- Severity of injuries: Serious traumas require extensive and often invasive medical treatment and take longer to heal and fully recover from. Besides, severe emotional distress can have a lasting impact on the overall quality of life of the injury victim. That is why catastrophic injuries will have larger compensation than minor traumas.
- Liability: Some claims involve more than a single responsible party. Based on the amount of fault that each party contributes to the incident, the final compensation will vary. If the cyclist is ruled partially accountable for the crash, their settlement will be decreased.
- Insurance coverage: At times, the insurance policy limit that the at-fault party has is insufficient to cover all the losses sustained. That is why it is important to consult a trained legal expert as to what you can do in cases like that.
Example of a Bicycle Accident Settlement in Atlanta
An average bicycle accident settlement can vary from $1K to $10K for relatively minor injury claims and reach millions for extremely serious claims.
For example, a distracted driver strikes a cyclist in Atlanta. The bicycle accident attorney working on the case discovers that they were texting while operating the vehicle. The collision leaves the bicyclist with a serious concussion, fractured bones, and severe road rash. The rider spends a lot of time in the hospital, misses days off work, and is trying to heal physically as well as mentally.
Based on the medical bills, lost income evaluations, and emotional pain and suffering, the legal advisor estimates the case is worth $800K in total. The injured bicycle rider gets the full settlement since they hadn’t contributed to the accident in any way.
There’s been a similar case in Atlanta when a truck driver didn’t notice a cyclist and hit them. The severity of the inflicted injuries, along with their long-term impact, were estimated to be worth $3M in compensation.
Our recent settlements
Who Is Liable for a Bicycle Accident in Atlanta?
To secure maximum compensation for your injuries and losses, it is critical to point out the liable party. Usually, there are a few potential parties that a bicycle accident lawyer would consider.
- Driver: Very often, vehicle operators become the primary cause of the bicycle accident. If the driver was speeding, driving under the influence, or simply ignoring the right of way, they could be determined liable for the incident.
- Local authorities: In case the Atlanta City Council or any other government agency does not pay attention to road conditions, missing or ineffective traffic signs, or other infrastructure-related issues, they will be held accountable.
- Manufacturers: Bikes can malfunction and serve as the main cause of the incident. If the expert agrees that the production defect is the main reason the vehicle failed, the manufacturer will have to compensate the victim’s damages.
- Pedestrians: Although pedestrians are as vulnerable road users as bicyclists, they can be an at-fault party if it’s determined that they suddenly stepped into a bike lane or pushed the rider off the vehicle.
Don’t forget that cyclists can initiate the accident or at least contribute to it if they violate traffic rules, get distracted, or ride recklessly.
How Do You Prove Fault in a Bicycle Accident in Atlanta?
No matter how straightforward the case may seem, it takes a fair share of evidence to prove the validity of your claim.
- Police report: Once the police arrive at the scene, they document the main information about the accident. A police report usually contains unbiased information you can refer to when determining fault.
- Witness statements: Just like the police report, eyewitnesses can provide necessary insight as to which party caused the incident, along with other critical details.
- Photos and videos: It is vital to gain access to street cameras, security cams, and other recordings or pictures that present a clear view of the accident scene, sequence of events, and other conditions that may have contributed to the collision.
- Medical records: It is not enough to claim that your injuries were severe. They should be proven with medical documentation. That is why you may want to document every procedure and keep all the receipts and prescriptions to later present as palpable evidence.
- Legal expertise: Not only do bicycle accident attorneys know all the federal and local laws, but they also can help you access critical pieces of information that will transform your claim into a solid case programmed for maximum compensation.
Statute of Limitations for a Bicycle Accident Claim in Atlanta
All bicycle accidents in Atlanta have a strict deadline within which the plaintiff can file the claim and have it rightfully settled. The general timeframe for such cases in Georgia is two years from the date of the accident. However, if the incident leads to loss of consortium, the injured party has as many as four years to claim their losses.
Since every bike accident is different, exceptions may apply to your case. It’s always a good idea to consult an expert bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.
How Can an Atlanta Bicycle Accident Lawyer Help Your Case?
At times, it may seem better to take the matter into your own hands and handle the claim yourself. However, there’s a fair share of potential implications to consider after a bicycle accident. A reliable bicycle accident attorney can bring numerous benefits to the case.
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Proper evaluation
A committed legal representative knows how to assess the full scope of your past and future losses and then come up with the maximum settlement that suffices your needs.
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In-depth investigation
A law firm will investigate your case on a deeper level. They will reach out to field experts if needed and gain all the missing evidence to support the case.
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Persuasive negotiations
Insurance companies are rarely willing to give out maximum compensation — they aim to settle for the bare minimum. A skilled personal injury lawyer will ensure that such a thing does not happen to you and that you recover a fair reimbursement.
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Deadline compliance
Working with a lawyer, you ensure that no deadline is missed and everything is on time.
These advantages come on top of the unparalleled legal advice that a professional injury lawyer can offer, whether your injury claim gets resolved during negotiations or you need to file a lawsuit. Not to mention that they will deal with all the legal hassle while you focus on your complete recovery after the accident.
How Much Does It Cost to Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
Most bicycle accident victims are afraid that they can’t afford expert assistance. However, most personal injury law firms operate on a contingency fee basis.
The contingency fee basis means that you don’t have to pay your legal team anything until they successfully settle the case. Sometimes, the approach is referred to as the no-win, no-fee method.
The specific amount you have to pay is an agreed percentage of the reimbursement you receive. According to the American Bar Association, it usually varies between 30% and 40%, depending on the difficulty of the claim. However, there’s room for personal negotiations between the client and the injury lawyer.
With our law firm, you don’t have to go through additional financial stress before you receive compensation. Fighting for the maximum settlement for you is in our best interest, so you can expect our attorneys to bring all their expertise and skills to your case.
Contact Our Atlanta Bicycle Accident Lawyers for a Free Consultation Today!
Facing the legal implications of your bicycle accident while trying to heal and recover is a challenging task. We believe that no one has to go through the process alone. We provide expert legal assistance to injury victims, starting with a free consultation and ending with competent trial representation. Call us today and let’s get the compensation that you deserve!
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