Motorists injure and kill bicyclists every year in traffic accidents in Atlanta, Georgia. In fact, a bicyclist doesn’t have much protection other than a helmet to reduce the trauma to the head. Even the most experienced cyclist will face real risks once they take to the road. Suppose you or someone in your family has suffered injuries as a result of a bicycle accident in Atlanta, you are entitled to adequate compensation as per Georgia’s personal injury tort. Bicycle injuries can be serious and fatal at times. Fair compensation is crucial to easing your financial constraints once you are injured and cannot go to work for some time. An Atlanta bicycle accident lawyer could be the key to you getting the maximum compensation.
Bicyclists are not entitled to automatic compensation with a simple insurance claim. If you think you can get adequate compensation by simply filing your claim, you are mistaken. In fact, personal injury laws are complex and require the expertise of an Atlanta bicycle accident lawyer with many years of experience in the industry. Your lawyer needs to prove the negligence of the other party in order to claim maximum compensation for your injuries. On the other hand, insurance providers will retain the services of some of the best personal injury lawyers in town to defend their side of the case. They will fight hard to pay far less than you actually deserve.
A bicycle accident lawyer at H Groves Law is your best bet to fight the case and obtain maximum compensation for your injuries and lost wages. We have represented hundreds of bicycle injury victims in the past and won. Even if the police try to blame you for the accident, or the insurance provider tries to deny your claim, we will fight for you by filing a lawsuit to aggressively pursue your rights. Call H Groves Law in Atlanta, GA at (770) 329-1868 right now to handle your bicycle accident case and obtain maximum benefits for your injuries.
What Are Georgia’s Bicycle Laws?
Georgia’s bicycle laws are fairly straightforward. Here are the main points you need to keep in mind:
- Bicycles and cars are subject to the same rules of the road
- Cars and other vehicles must yield to bicyclists in bicycle lanes
- Cyclists should wear certain safety equipment to protect themselves
- Sidewalks are for pedestrians and not bicyclists
- A bicyclist must stay on the right side of the roadway
- A bicycle can’t legally carry more people than they’re designed for – with the exception of young children
- No passengers on axle foot bars or handlebars of the bicycle
- Other vehicles must leave at least three feet of space when passing a bicycle
How Is Fault Determined In Bicycle Accidents In Georgia?
Georgia is a modified comparative fault state, which means the bicyclist should be less than 50% responsible for the accident in order to claim maximum damages. Most bicycle accident cases in Georgia are negligence claims. Your lawyer needs to prove these four points for you to be awarded damages:
- The responsible driver owed you a duty – In fact, all motorists including cyclists owe each other a duty to share the road responsibly.
- The responsible driver breached that duty by driving in a reckless way.
- The breach of the at-fault driver’s duty caused the accident, or the driver’s actions were directly responsible for the accident.
- You sustained injuries as a direct result of the at-fault driver’s actions.
What Should I Do After A Bicycle Accident?
You might become confused as to what you need to do soon after a bicycle accident in Atlanta, GA. It’s quite normal since most victims forget what they should do. Here are some immediate steps to take when you are involved in a bicycle accident in Atlanta:
Contact police
This is the first thing you should do unless you are severely injured and not in a position to do so. In fact, there should be an official record of what took place at the scene. You should get a copy of the police report to facilitate the filing of your personal injury claim. You can obtain your accident report directly from the police or go to BuyCrash.com
Exchange information
Both parties involved in the accident should exchange their contact details with each other. Get the license number, insurance details, telephone number, address, and any other important information from the other party and give your information to them.
Record the scene
Try to record the scene with your smartphone. Take pictures of the wreck and video the entire scene if you are in a position to do so. Visual proof is important to prove the negligence of the at-fault party and obtain maximum compensation for your injuries.
Never admit fault
Don’t admit fault for the accident when speaking to the police or insurance agents without consulting a personal injury lawyer. You will be on the wrong end of the equation as soon as you admit fault.
Seek medical attention
Many accident victims may not feel pain soon after the incident due to an adrenaline rush. But you may feel pain in a day or two. On the other hand, if you don’t seek medical help, the insurance company gets a chance to deny your claim stating that you weren’t injured in the accident or your injuries were from another incident. Injuries like brain injuries and spinal cord injuries need to be seen immediately by medical personnel.
Call a bicycle accident lawyer
This is one of the most important steps once you are involved in a bicycle accident in Atlanta. An experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Atlanta can help you obtain the maximum compensation for your injuries by filing a strong case on your behalf. The personal injury lawyers at H Groves Law have the necessary skills, expertise, and knowledge to present your case in such a way that you get the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries.
What Types Of Damages Can You Get In An Atlanta Bicycle Accident Claim?
Bicycle accidents come under personal injury law. Personal injury lawsuits are usually entitled to claim three major types of damages in Georgia. The first type of damage is known as economic damage. You can claim past & future medical expenses, doctor visits, hospital stays, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and lost wages as a result of your injuries.
The second type of damage is known as non-economic damage. Such damages are meant to compensate the victim for the loss of his/her quality of life and emotional distress as a result of his or her injuries.
The third type of damage is not really meant to compensate the victim for his/her injuries but to punish the at-fault party for his/her reckless behavior, which is known as punitive damages. In fact, punitive damages are also meant to deter other drivers from behaving in a similar manner.
How Much Time Do I Have To File A Bicycle Accident Claim?
Georgia’s personal injury statute of limitations allows two years from the date of the accident to bring or settle a bicycle accident claim in civil court. We believe you should consult with an experienced personal injury lawyer at H Groves Law for proper guidance in filing your claim in a timely manner. Feel free to call our experts in order to know about your legal rights in Atlanta, GA.
How Much Will An Atlanta Bicycle Accident Lawyer Cost?
You first need to see how your compensation works out before you can afford a large legal bill. The best thing about working with an experienced personal injury lawyer at H Groves Law is you don’t pay a cent unless our lawyers win your claim. We work on a contingency fee basis where you pay a pre-agreed percentage of the awarded compensation once our lawyers win the case for you. No win means No fee.
Why Do I Need A Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
There are numerous advantages to working with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer at H Groves Law when you or someone in your family has been involved in a bicycle accident in Atlanta.
Case preparation and filing the lawsuit
Your lawyer should evaluate your case and file a strong case so that you get the maximum amount of compensation you rightly deserve. Our lawyers will prepare a strong claim on your behalf by interviewing eyewitnesses and expert witnesses.
Negotiating a settlement
Negotiating your claim with the insurance company isn’t easy. The insurance company will work with the best defense lawyers in town to pay out the minimum compensation or completely deny your claim. Our lawyers have the necessary expertise to negotiate with the insurance provider and get you the maximum amount of compensation.
Trial preparation and representation
Our lawyers are always prepared and have the necessary experience to take your case to trial in case the insurance company tries to deny the claim or pay the minimum amount of compensation.
Talk To An Atlanta Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today!
When you or someone in your family is injured in a bicycle accident in Atlanta, GA, you are entitled to maximum compensation for your injuries. You need to work with an experienced bicycle accident lawyer at H Groves Law to obtain maximum compensation. Call H Groves Law in Atlanta, GA, at (770) 329-1868 right now to handle your bicycle accident case and obtain maximum benefits for your injuries.
