When a bicyclist gets into an accident in Cartersville, the risk of serious injury is high. Even when the cyclist is following the law and wearing a helmet, they just don’t have the same physical protection as someone in a car or another motor vehicle. If you were injured on your bike, you may be entitled to financial recovery, and a Cartersville bicycle accident lawyer can help.
Our Cartersville personal injury lawyers have 350 years of combined experience working cases for injured cyclists. We know how stressful, painful, and frustrating the costs of a bicycle accident can be, and our goal is to remove as much of the burden as possible. We can help you build a strong claim to seek compensation for the damages you suffered from the accident.
Call us today and we’ll give you a FREE consultation to talk about the details. The Strong Arm™ can look at the specifics of your accident, determine who was at fault, and discuss how we can help.
Three Legal Facts to Understand After a Bicycle Accident in Cartersville
The moments and days after a bicycle accident can feel like a lot. As you begin to deal with your injuries and seek treatment, it’s normal to feel stressed out and wonder how you will pay for the costs. Thankfully, you have legal options.
Here are some points to know after being injured in a bicycle accident in Cartersville.
1. Bicyclists Have Legal Rights
According to Georgia Code section 40-6-291, most of the same laws that apply to vehicles also apply to vehicles. In fact, bicycles are considered vehicles in the state of Georgia. There are special rules for riding on roadways and bike paths under Georgia Code section 40-6-294 that cyclists must follow, but they generally have the same rights to be on the roads as motorists.
After a bicycle accident, the other driver might try to blame you for what happened or say that you “came out of nowhere” and they didn’t see. However, most of the time, we find that the other motorist was simply not being careful enough or checking for smaller vehicles like bikes on the road.
If you were injured in a bicycle accident that you did not cause, you have legal rights just like anyone else on the road. You may be entitled to compensation for your damages. If you have questions about your specific rights regarding your accident, call The Strong Arm™ to talk about it with an experienced Cartersville bicycle accident lawyer.
2. You Must Prove Negligence
To have a valid injury claim, it’s not enough to show that you were hurt in the accident. The legal burden is on you, as the accident victim, to prove that the other party was negligent and at fault for your accident.
You can prove negligence through evidence like pictures from the accident scene, witness statements, traffic camera footage, and more. Your lawyer will know how to best gather information and build your claim to demonstrate negligence.
3. The Insurance Company Won’t Play Fair
After you file a personal injury claim after an accident, you’ll be mostly dealing with the at-fault party’s auto insurance company. The insurer will be the one paying for your damages and offering a settlement. Unfortunately, insurance companies do not like to pay much on injury claims.
The insurance company will likely look for ways to blame you for the accident and/or reduce the driver’s liability. The insurer might also:
- Offer you a lowball settlement, hoping you’ll take it can close your case
- Contact you and try to sound friendly as a way to get information that can be used against you later or
- Try intimidating you into accepting a much lower settlement than you deserve
The best thing you can do to legally protect yourself is to get an experienced bicycle accident lawyer on your side. When insurance companies see that an injury victim already has a well-respected and experienced lawyer, they are often more likely to offer a fair settlement sooner.
Your lawyer will work to communicate and negotiate with the insurance company for you. It’s best if you let your attorney speak with the insurance company before you have too much contact with them. They are skilled at manipulating injury victims who have never had to deal with this process before.
Common Injuries in Cartersville Bicycle Accidents
A bicycle accident can lead to any number of injuries, ranging from minor to severe. Here are some common injuries we see in bicycle accident cases:
- Road rash
- Lacerations
- Head, face, and neck injuries
- Eye injuries from debris
- Fractures
- Dislocations
- Bruising and swelling and
- Trauma to the abdominal organs
After a bicycle accident, it’s vital that you see a doctor as soon as possible—even if you feel okay. You could have injuries that haven’t fully shown up yet, and getting immediate medical attention will give you an idea of what treatment you will need. You’ll also want to keep track of all medical bills, prescription medication receipts, and other evidence of medical costs to include in your claim.
No matter how you were injured in your bicycle accident, you should not have to pay for the costs if you were not at fault. The sooner you can begin working on your case, the sooner you can seek compensation for your damages and start moving on from the crash.
Speak with a Cartersville Bicycle Accident Lawyer for Free Today
Bicyclists in Cartersville have legal rights after a collision. Our lawyers are here to be your biggest advocate during this time. We do not charge our clients a fee unless we win them money, so there is no risk to begin working with us right away. Plus, we’d be happy to give you a FREE consultation.
To schedule your FREE consultation as soon as possible, contact us. We’ll go over the details of your accident, your legal options, and how we can help you.
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