North Georgia Bicycle Accident Lawyer
Assisting Victims of Bike Accidents Throughout the State of Georgia
In 2018, a total of 857 bicyclists lost their lives to traffic accidents in the United States. Each year, there are about 467,000 bicycle-related injuries. While these statistics are hard to look at, nothing is more difficult than suffering an injury or loss in a bicycle accident.
At Pritchard Injury Firm, we understand this, and we know you are more than just a statistic. That’s why we dedicate ourselves to helping you get through the aftermath of bicycle accidents throughout all of Georgia. We have locations in Cartersville, Woodstock and Chattanooga.
Our legal team is here for you. All you need to do is call us at (470) 577-8152 today.
What Causes Bicycle Accidents?
Many bicycle accidents occur because both motorists and cyclists fail to follow the rules and watch out for each other. When drivers do not watch out for cyclists, however, the results can be much worse.
Common causes of bicycle accidents include:
- Unsafe lane changes
- Failure to yield
- Speeding
- Following too closely
- Failing to leave enough space
- Distracted driving
- Driving under the influence
- Drowsy driving
- Aggressive driving
- Reckless driving
- Running red lights and stop signs
- Improper turns
- Intersection accidents
- Dooring
- Poorly maintained roads
- And more
If you have been injured by any of the conditions or behaviors above, our Georgia bicycle accident attorney can help.
Common Bicycle Accident Injuries
Regardless of who is at-fault for your crash, bicyclists get the worst of car-bicycle accidents. Common injuries to bicyclists include:
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Eye trauma
- Dental fractures
- Facial injuries
- Broken bones
- Dislocations
- Sprains and sprains
- Musculoskeletal trauma
- Back and shoulder injuries
- Rib fractures
- Lung injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Road rash
- Spinal cord injuries (SCI)
- And more
In addition to physical wear and tear, you may suffer psychological injuries. Bike accidents can cause PTSD and other seemingly invisible conditions that are just as hard to cope with as physical injuries.
Filing a personal injury lawsuit with Pritchard Injury Firm can help you pursue the resources you need to recover from internal and external ailments.
Georgia Bike Laws
The state of Georgia recognizes bicycles as vehicles with the same rights and responsibilities as cars and trucks. Nevertheless, lawmakers acknowledge that riding a bicycle in traffic comes with its own set of challenges, so bicycles have special regulations.
For example, all bicyclists under age 16 must ride with a helmet, and cyclists must ride with traffic and to the right whenever possible – and with lights at night. Just like other vehicles, bicycles must signal stops and turns and obey all traffic control devices.
When driving around bicycles, vehicles are required to yield the right of way when turning and are prohibited from driving aggressively, recklessly, or under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
All bicycle accidents must be reported and investigated, and you should never move your bicycle after an injury-causing accident before photographing its location and position.
Authorities issue most citations to motorists for failing to yield, especially when turning. If you are injured because someone else violated the Georgia Motor Vehicles and Traffic: Uniform Rules of the Road Law (Title 40, Chapters 1 and 6, Official Code of Georgia Annotated), you may be entitled to compensation.
Filing a Bicycle Accident Lawsuit
Although no amount of money can change what happened to you, filing a bicycle accident lawsuit (under personal injury law) can help you move forward. A successful settlement or verdict will result in damages, which can help you cope with:
- Medical bills (present and future)
- The costs of rehabilitative care
- Missed work and wages
- Changes to your earning potential
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
The first step to filing a claim is scheduling a free consultation. From there, our North Georgia bicycle accident attorney can help you evaluate your claim and make the right demands.
The claims process can be complicated, but you do not have to go through it alone.
Get Started Today
At Pritchard Injury Firm, we see your problems as our own, so we can help you solve them in whatever way works best for you. We offer free consultations, so you can get to know our firm and see for yourself why our clients love us. If you want to work directly with your attorney and experience our empathetic and community-driven legal support, please do not hesitate to call.
You can get in touch at (470) 577-8152 or contact us online – whatever you decide, take advantage of the opportunity to get started on your case today!