In Full Motion: Bicycle Safety Month in May 2026

May is Bike Safety Awareness Month, and it is a good time to remember that bicycle crashes are often preventable when drivers and cyclists share the road with care. In both Georgia and Tennessee, the law recognizes bicyclists as roadway users and accordingly, expects them to follow the rules of the road. At the same time, drivers are expected to watch for them and give them space.

Bicycling is growing in popularity for commuting, recreation, and exercise, but cyclists remain especially vulnerable in a crash. The National Highway Traffic Safety Association (NHTSA) noted that 1,103 bicyclists were killed in traffic crashes in the U.S. in 2024 and an estimated 52,887 were injured in traffic crashes; and in every non-fatal collision, it’s the cyclist who is almost always injured – oftentimes severely. That reality is why bicycle safety is not just a traffic issue; it is a public safety issue with very human consequences.

Pritchard Injury Firm encourages you and your family to create special memories by taking your bikes out for a trip. Before you venture out, let’s discuss some facts, traffic trends, and practical methods for sharing the road that will help you reach your destinations safely.

A Look At The Data

In Georgia, the official safety data shows that bicyclist fatalities have remained a persistent concern in recent years, with 23 bicyclist deaths in 2023 and 29 in 2022. Georgia safety materials also show that many crashes happen in urban areas and at intersections, which is where cyclists and vehicles are most likely to cross paths. In Tennessee, the state’s bicycle crash data shows hundreds of injury crashes each year, and the 2025 preliminary statewide table already reflects dozens of pedalcyclist injury crashes and several fatalities statewide.

The risks in both states are familiar, and the onus is not completely on truck and car drivers. NHTSA identifies bicyclists failing to yield the right of way as the leading factor in fatal bike crashes, followed by bicyclists not being visible. Georgia State safety materials also point to intersection conflict, nighttime conditions, and urban roadway exposure as recurring contributors to serious crashes – even near Pritchard Injury Firm’s offices in Woodstock and Cartersville. Tennessee’s crash tables show the same broad pattern: large numbers of crashes in Hamilton County and particularly major cities like Chattanooga, and even Nashville and Davidson County, which suggests that both urban congestion and roadway design play a role.

Safe Cycling In North Georgia and Tennessee

Cyclists must take the initiative to ensure their own safety, even if they are riding in dedicated bike lanes. The most obvious measure is to wear a properly fitted helmet during every ride. NHTSA compares helmet use for bicyclists to seat belts for drivers: both can save lives. Plus, in the event you are injured, your claim will be strengthened when the record shows you took the most basic safety precaution.

Some additional tips include:

• Use lights, reflectors, bright clothing, and reflective gear, especially at night or in poor visibility.
• Ride in the same direction as traffic and obey traffic signals, lane markings, and signs just like a motor vehicle.
• Get your bike a tune-up if it’s been locked away for months. This will keep your bike in working order, including brakes, tires, and fit, so you can control it safely.
• Stay focused and avoid texting, music, or anything else that takes your eyes, ears, or mind off the road.

How Drivers Can Avoid Bike Wrecks in North Georgia and Tennessee

It is far more likely for a cyclist to be catastrophically injured or killed in a car or truck collision in North Georgia and Tennessee. Even the most attentive drivers should brush up on skills. Watch for bicyclists at intersections, driveways, and when turning, especially right turns and left turns across a cyclist’s path. Additionally:

• Never drive distracted, and do not assume a cyclist will be able to stop as quickly as a car. And remember, both Georgia and Tennessee have enacted “hands-free” laws to address distracted driving.
• Give bicyclists space when passing, and slow down in neighborhoods, school zones, business districts, and areas with bike traffic.
• Remember that cyclists are harder to see than motorcycles, but similarly may weave in and out of traffic, so extra caution is necessary even in daylight.

What to Do Immediately After a Bicycle Accident

Despite taking precautions, accidents still occur. If you are involved in a bike wreck in Tennessee or Georgia – whether as a rider, driver, or pedestrian – the steps you take afterward can affect both your health and any future injury claim.

Seek Medical Attention. Even if injuries seem minor, adrenaline can mask symptoms. Head injuries, spinal trauma, and internal bleeding may not appear immediately.

Call Law Enforcement. Both Tennessee and Georgia law generally require reporting accidents involving injuries or significant property damage. A police report creates an official record that may be critical in determining fault.

Document the Scene. If you are physically able:

• Take photographs of all vehicles involved
• Capture road conditions, traffic signals, and skid marks
• Photograph your injuries as soon as possible

Gather Witness Information. Witness statements often play a crucial role in motorcycle cases, especially when disputes arise about visibility or right-of-way.

How A Lawyer Can Help Your Bicycle Accident Claim

If someone is hurt in a bike crash, a plaintiffs’ lawyer typically starts by investigating the scene, gathering medical records, securing photos or video, identifying witnesses, and preserving vehicle and insurance evidence. So all the steps from the prior tip will be extremely helpful. The lawyer then evaluates liability, which may involve a negligent driver, a commercial vehicle company, a roadway hazard, or multiple responsible parties.

In a bicycle injury claim, this early work is critical because evidence can disappear quickly, especially video footage, damaged-bike evidence, and driver statements.

A plaintiffs’ lawyer also helps the injured cyclist understand insurance coverage, including uninsured and underinsured motorist claims, med-pay, and any potential claims against a business or government entity.

In many cases, the goal is not only to prove fault but also to document the full human cost of the crash: emergency care, future treatment, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, pain, and the impact on daily life. Because bicycle injury claims can involve serious injuries and contested fault, the lawyer’s role is to move the case forward while protecting the client from insurer pressure and low settlement offers.

In both Tennessee and Georgia, personal injury claims are subject to strict statutes of limitations – generally one year in Tennessee and two years in Georgia. Waiting too long to act can prevent you from recovering compensation, even if the other party was clearly at fault.

The safest roads are the ones where everyone stays alert, slows down, and treats bicyclists with the respect they deserve. #BicycleSafetyMonth is a reminder that a moment of caution can prevent a lifetime of consequences.

Your GA/TN Bike Wreck Lawyer

Filing a personal injury claim quickly after a bike wreck and consulting with an injury lawyer in North Georgia or Tennessee will help maximize the value for your physical, mental and property damages.

Pritchard Injury Firm is here to provide the compassionate legal and emotional support you deserve. Contact Pritchard Injury Firm for a free consultation.