A bike accident is no minor occurrence. It requires legal representation to get what is necessary for you to recover physically and financially. An Atlanta bicycle accident attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve.
Even a minor bicycle accident requires knowledge of a complicated obstacle course of insurance companies, liabilities, and even medical care. That’s why it’s important to hire a bicycle accident specialist. John Foy & Associates has been practicing personal injury law in Atlanta for more than 20 years.
Why Hire a Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Atlanta?
Many people who are injured in a bicycle accident find that it is well worth hiring a bicycle accident attorney in Atlanta to help them with their claims. Part of that is because law firms like ours use contingency fees, which means we don’t charge anything upfront. In fact, we only get paid if you get compensation.
People who try to take on a claim by themselves, though, often find that the challenges are too hard for them. Without the help of an experienced lawyer, the process of negotiating with the insurance company and finding evidence is incredibly difficult. There’s no harm in asking for help, and there’s no risk of paying for a lawyer who won’t get you results.
A consultation with a bike accident lawyer in Atlanta may help you decide whether it’s worth pursuing your claim. Don’t hesitate to talk to one of our attorneys for free.
Atlanta’s Bike Laws and Filing a Claim
Under Georgia law, anyone under the age of 16 must wear a safety helmet Approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) when operating a bicycle. However, anyone aged 16 or older can’t decide whether they want to wear a bicycle helmet.
If someone else was to blame for your crash, you can file a bicycle accident claim. By doing so, you may be able to recover money for the damages that the other party caused.
If you are not sure whether you have a valid claim, an Atlanta bicycle accident lawyer can sit down with you to look at your case. At your free initial consultation, they will let you know what your options are.
Economic Damages
Economic damages encompass the financial losses you suffered as a result of your bicycle accident and resulting injuries. Many people assume they could be compensated for only medical expenses.
This might include your hospital bills, ambulance fees, transportation costs, medical equipment fees, and more. However, you may also have the opportunity to recover compensation for your loss of income and reduce your earning potential.
You can file a property damage claim if your bike was damaged due to a negligent driver, business or private owner, or municipality. That is considered a “property damage” claim.
If your bike is a total loss, Georgia law states that you are eligible to get the fair market value of that bicycle. John Foy does not generally charge for bicycle accident claims. Our goal is to help you get back in – or in this case back on – your vehicle.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages do not have financial worth. However, since they likely have impacted your life considerably, they should be taken into account accordingly. Some examples of non-economic damages you may be entitled to recover in your Atlanta bicycle accident claim include:
- Inconvenience
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
- Emotional distress
Atlanta Bicycle Accident Lawyer Near Me 404-400-4000
Hit and Run Bicycle Accidents
The key to a hit-and-run accident is to stay calm. That may be difficult because your adrenaline is flowing, you may be hurt, and you’re probably very angry that anyone would leave an accident.
Gather as much information as possible – for example, the make, model, and color of the vehicle? Did anyone get a license number? Were there any witnesses?
Any information may prove valuable later. Hit-and-runs in any type of vehicular accident are a criminal act in Georgia. Call the Atlanta police department. And call John Foy & Associates, we’ll help you maneuver the difficult road ahead.
Liability for Bicycle Accidents in Atlanta
It may seem like bicycle accident claims are only for simple, clear-cut accidents where a driver or biker is negligent and causes someone else to be injured. That’s not always the case, though. Even if it may seem like a random accident, someone may be liable for your crash.
Liable parties in a bicycle accident may include:
Negligent Drivers
The most noticeable type of bicycle accident is when a driver negligently hits a biker or otherwise causes them to crash. This is unfortunately common, as bicyclists are hard to see, and drivers often give them less space on the road.
If a driver, through any act of negligence like distracted driving, road hogging, or breaking traffic laws, caused your crash, they could be liable for your damages.
Bike Manufacturers
A more insidious way that bike crashes happen is through faulty or dangerous equipment. Sometimes, a parts manufacturer or bike factory can negligently produce something that shouldn’t be used or fail to warn bikers about a dangerous product.
If you were in an accident because of failed brakes or any other faulty part, you could be able to file a claim against the manufacturer. A bicycle accident attorney in Atlanta can tell you more about your options for a possible product liability case.
Cities or Municipalities
If your bicycle accident was a result of negligence or code violation by a city or municipality, you may be eligible for compensation. If you were hurt on private property, then the liable party would be the property owner or business owner. These defects can include:
- Potholes
- Malfunctioning traffic lights
- Foliage obstructing traffic signs
- An uncovered drain or meter
The key, again, is to document as much of the information as possible. Take photos of what you hit. If a traffic light is malfunctioning, videotape the sequence and timing of the light.
Talk to witnesses. If this happened in front of a business, the owner may be aware of how long this problem has been going on. If other people have been hurt because of the same problem, your case becomes stronger.
For a free legal consultation with a bicycle accidents lawyer serving Atlanta, call 404-400-4000
What if I Am Partly to Blame for the Bike Wreck?
Being partially to blame will not prevent you from recovering compensation for your damages as long as your portion of fault does not exceed 49%. Georgia operates based on a modified comparative negligence system. Your portion of fault cannot be greater than 49%, or you lose your chance to have your case hurt in the civil courts.
Furthermore, you can expect your compensation to be reduced to account for your portion of the liability. For this reason, it is critical that you have a dedicated Atlanta bicycle accident attorney on your side who will accurately evaluate liability in your insurance and several claims.
What to Do After a Bicycle Accident in Atlanta
If a car has hit your bicycle, treat your accident as seriously as you would a car wreck. Document what happened.
If your phone is still working, call 911. The police will write a report, they’ll also help you get the necessary medical help. Get as many photos as possible of all the vehicles involved, the condition of your bike, the scene, and anything that you think might be relevant to the accident.
Photograph your bruises and scrapes. If there are witnesses, try to get their names and numbers. And of course, follow up on whatever medical care you need. Your next step should be to call a personal injury attorney as soon as possible.
We’ll work with our own investigators and specialists to prove liability. We will communicate with the insurance company so you don’t have to. Do not sign any paperwork from the insurance company or give a recorded statement. Remember that an insurance company’s first goal is to settle quickly and for as little money as possible.
Hire an Atlanta Bicycle Accident Attorney from Our Firm
As one of Atlanta’s largest and most notable personal injury law firms, we have seen an increase in bicycle accidents, as more and more serious and recreational bicyclists are sharing the road with cars and trucks. Your well-being is crucial to us whether you are injured in a car or a bike.
The Atlanta bicycle accident attorneys at John Foy & Associates are available to talk to you 24/7, every day of the year, including Christmas. Give us a call or contact us online for your FREE initial consultation.
Call or text 404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
