Atlanta Bicycle Accident Lawyer

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Filing a Bicycle Accident Injury Lawsuit

In 2015, more than 800 bicyclists were killed in crashes with motor vehicles. Another 45,000 were injured. This number represents a fraction of bicycle crashes, however, since as few as 10% are reported to the police. When these types of accidents are caused by reckless or careless drivers, bicyclists should contact an experienced Atlanta bicycle accident lawyer for representation in a personal injury lawsuit.

This lawsuit will seek compensation for injuries. Compensation may cover past and future medical bills, pain and suffering, funeral expenses, lost wages, and lost earning capacity – among other things. An experienced bicycle accident lawyer in Atlanta will develop your case, speak with potential witnesses, and assist in negotiating a settlement.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident caused by a negligent driver, contact our experienced personal injury team at Schnipper Law PC by calling 404-545-5845. Our team is dedicated to fighting for the compensation you deserve.

Common Injuries

Injuries often incurred by bicyclists in crashes include:

• Contusions
• Facial Fractures
• Dental Fractures
• Skull Fractures
• Concussions
• Fractured, Dislocated, or Sprained Bones
• Broken Ribs
• Punctured Lungs
• Pelvic Fractures
• Abrasions or Lacerations

All of these injuries are serious and should be treated by a medical professional. If you witness a bicycle accident, you should never leave the scene – even if the cyclist seems alright. Not all injuries present themselves immediately.

Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Common causes of bicycle accidents involving motor vehicles include:

Drivers responsible for hitting bicyclists while driving recklessly can, and should, be held accountable for their actions in a court of law.

Types of Compensation

There are numerous factors that should be considered when determining how much compensation to seek in your personal injury lawsuit. These factors include, but are not limited to:

• Loss of Earning Capacity – If you are left permanently disabled after a bicycle accident, you may be incapable of performing the work you did before. In this case, you may be able to receive some (or all) of that amount through compensation.
• Incidental Expenses – Not all expenses are large and overwhelming. Small expenses, however, add up quickly. You may be compensated for gas, meals, and other expenses rationally connected to your injury.
• Past and Future Medical Bills – Almost all personal injury cases request compensation for past and future medical bills. To receive this compensation, you must keep records of all medical bills.
• Lost Wages – If you miss work due to your injury, you are entitled to recover the value of your lost wages. You may be required to verify the amount you earn and the exact time you missed.

Preventing Bicycle Accidents

You are more likely to be involved in a bicycle accident if you are middle-aged, male, or riding in an urban area. There are several ways to protect yourself from harm, including:

• Wearing a helmet
• Using a lighting system
• Driving in a safe, steady environment
• Maintaining your bicycle regularly
• Using hand signals
• Wearing light or neon colors

Proving Negligence

In order to prove a driver is responsible for injuries sustained in a bicycle accident, you must show:

• The defendant owed a legal duty to the plaintiff.
• The defendant failed to fulfill that legal duty.
• The plaintiff was harmed as a result.

In most cases, drivers fulfill their legal duty to pedestrians and bicyclists by following the rules of the road – obeying streetlights, paying attention to their surroundings, and driving under the speed limit. If a driver ignores the law and a bicyclist is harmed, proving negligence is relatively simple.

For example, if a driver fails to signal left and hits a bicyclist, that driver may be held responsible in a personal injury lawsuit. However, if a driver signals left and hits a bicyclist who did not have right-of-way, that driver cannot be held responsible in a personal injury lawsuit. Why? Because the bicyclist was at-fault.

Contact an Experienced Atlanta Bicycle Accident Lawyer for Representation

No one deserves to be injured by a careless driver. In the state of Georgia, you have two years to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you allow this deadline to pass, you can never receive compensation for your injuries. For this reason, contacting a bicycle accident lawyer is essential to your financial well-being.

If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a bicycle accident, contact our experienced team of Atlanta bicycle accident lawyer at Schnipper Law by calling 404-545-5845. We have years of experience in personal injury cases and a proven track record of success.