Smyrna
Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Many people love riding their bicycles in Smyrna. Cycling is healthy, eco-friendly, and convenient. However, riding a bicycle can quickly become dangerous during an accident. If you suffered injuries while on your bike, talk to a Smyrna bicycle accident lawyer today.

Bicycle accidents often lead to severe or life-threatening injuries. Too many cyclists lose their lives in crashes. If you suffered injuries because of another person’s actions, you have legal rights.

At John Foy & Associates, we can help you seek compensation for your costs. You should not have to bear the costs of an accident you did not cause. Contact us today to learn more during a FREE consultation.

Call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online for your FREE consultation.

Your Rights As a Bicycle Rider in Smyrna

Bicycles have a right to be on Smyrna roads. According to Georgia Code Section 40-1-1, bicycles count as vehicles under the law. The laws treat bicycle riders as drivers in Georgia.

Bicyclists must follow the same rules as motorists. The laws also protect cyclists in the same way as drivers. If someone else causes your accident, you have rights just like everyone else.

Bike riders in Smyrna must follow traffic rules like:

• Riding in the same direction as other traffic.
• Riding as far to the right of the road as possible.
• Riding on the road instead of on sidewalks.

Bicyclists must also wear a helmet and use lights when riding at night. Just like a car, bikes should have both front and rear lights to alert other drivers. Bike riders also should not ride side by side on normal roads.

Unfortunately, many motorists do not take cyclists seriously. A lot of drivers don’t recognize that bicyclists have the same rights. For example, drivers should leave a safe distance between their vehicles and bicycles while passing.

Many drivers fail to give cyclists the space they need on Smyrna roads. Other times, drivers do not check their blind spots for approaching bike riders. If drivers are not careful, they can easily cause serious bike accidents.

Why Bicycle Accidents Are So Dangerous

There is one big difference between bikes and motor vehicles: protection. Cars and trucks have many safety features that protect occupants. If an accident happens, there is a degree of protection from the impact.

Bicyclists have very little protection at all. Helmets and safety gear provide some. However, there is still nothing between the cyclists and the open road.

Bicycle accidents are also hazardous because:

• Bikes only have two wheels. If an accident happens, the bike can easily topple and throw the rider to the ground
• Road objects are more dangerous to cyclists. Potholes, large rocks, and debris can be fatal to a bicyclist but not a big deal to a car driver.
• Bikes are lighter and smaller. If a motor vehicle crashes with a bicycle, the cyclist is always worse off.
• Drivers can be aggressive towards bicyclists. Reckless drivers might fail to account for bikes at all. They might get frustrated with a cyclist if they think they’re in the way. This can lead to a terrible accident.
• Drivers cannot see bikes as well. Even if a cyclist uses lights, it’s harder for other drivers to see them. Fog or rain can make it difficult to see bikes riding on the road. If a motorist is not careful, they could crash into a bicyclist and cause an accident.

Bike riders are also more likely to suffer severe head injuries. Although helmets help, they are not injury-proof.

Common Smyrna Bicycle Accident Injuries

During a bicycle accident, the cyclist can fall forwards, backward, or sideways onto the road. They can hit any body part of the pavement. As the rider tries to catch their fall, they can suffer injuries to their arms and legs.

Here are some of the most common bicycle accident injuries we see:

• Road rash
• Dislocated joints
• Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
• Neck injuries
• Broken bones
• Severe scrapes or lacerations
• Extreme bruising
• Nerve damage
• Spinal cord injuries

Get treatment for your injuries as soon as possible. Many bicycle accident injuries can worsen quickly. You could also have underlying injuries that you don’t know about yet.

Right after the accident, adrenaline is running through your body. Hormones can suppress pain while you handle the crash. But hours or days later, you might start to feel more pain.

If you notice additional injuries later, schedule a follow up with your doctor. Don’t ignore any potential injuries. If you wait too long to get treatment, it will hurt your injury claim.

How Fault Works in a Smyrna Bicycle Accident

After a bicycle accident, you might be entitled to compensation. Most of the time, a motorist is at-fault in a bike accident. However, you’ll need to prove that the driver is responsible for your damages.

Bicycle accident cases depend on negligence. Someone is negligent if they fail to exercise reasonable care on the roads. Examples of negligence can include:

• Speeding
• Merging without signaling
• Drunk driving
• Distracted driving
• Traffic violations

Even if a driver doesn’t mean to cause harm, they can be negligent. To prove the driver’s negligence, you’ll need to show that:

• The driver owed you a duty of care.
• The driver breached their duty of care.
• The breached duty led to your accident.
• You suffered injuries and damages from the crash.

A Smyrna bicycle accident lawyer can help you prove these points. They’ll assist you in filing a personal injury claim with the driver’s insurance company. You can seek compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and much more.

Talk to a Smyrna Bicycle Accident Lawyer for Free Today

You should not have to pay for a bicycle accident you didn’t cause. If another party was responsible, it’s vital that you know your options. At John Foy & Associates, we can help you get started as soon as possible.

Contact us today to discuss the details of your case. We do not charge a fee unless we win you money. Plus, the consultation is always FREE.

To schedule your FREE consultation, call us at (404) 400-4000, or contact us online.