Bicyclists in Buford face three main threats on the road: motor vehicles, potholes or hazards, and getting “doored.” Every cyclist knows this, but not every cyclist knows what rights they have when they’ve suffered an accident—or whether they can recover money. But the costs an injured cyclist faces are very real, including medical bills, lost work time, and a totaled bicycle. When you’ve been hurt in an accident don’t miss out on the insurance money that may be available to you. You need to talk to a Buford bicycle accident lawyer.
We can get you the resources and experienced legal help you need. Our team of bicycle accident lawyers are among the most respected and knowledgeable in the state of Georgia—and we have a proven track record of winning cases. We know the dangers that cyclists face, and how to enforce your rights.
Let us give you a FREE consultation with a top attorney. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
How much money can I recover in a bicycle accident in Buford?
Bicyclists, like all injury victims, have the right to recover monetary damages in accidents caused by someone else’s careless action. The types of damages you can recover are often more than you think. For example:
- All of your medical bills
- All prescription drugs or long-term health costs related to the accident
- Any lost wages caused by missing work due to your accident
- Pain and suffering, or other compensation for serious personal losses caused by the accident
- Additional damages if you are unable to return to work because of a permanent injury
- The cost of your bicycle
All of these costs can vary. For example, someone riding an old mountain bike they pulled out of their parents’ garage would probably not get much money for replacing the bicycle. On the other hand, someone riding a high-end racing bicycle or a heavily upgraded bike could need thousands of dollars to replace/repair it.
The same applies to injuries. Many bicycle accident result in only moderate injuries, such as a sprained wrist. You may need several thousand dollars for physical therapy and other treatment. But bicycle accidents can also be alarmingly severe—involving shattered bones, head injuries, internal wounds, or surgery. We have seen bicycle accident victims who were able to recover 6-figures settlements or much, much more.
Never second guess your right to recover money or undervalue your claim. Drivers, police and insurers are quick to give you a “too bad, so sad” attitude. But that’s not how the law works. Even if you’ve already been offered an amount by the insurer, it pays to meet with a lawyer to make sure you’re not missing out on the full amount you deserve.
What are my rights if I’m in a bicycle accident with a car or truck?
You have the same rights as any other victim injured in an auto accident. That means that the at-fault driver and their insurance company are liable for all of your costs and damages.
In Buford and all of Georgia, the notion of fault plays a central role in accident cases. In a car-on-car accident, the insurance companies of both drivers go through an extensive claim evaluation process to determine who was at fault or majority fault for the accident. They use this same process when a bicycle is hit, with a few differences:
- The majority of car-on-bike accidents are caused primarily by the car driver, not the cyclist
- Insurance companies will go to great lengths to try to put fault on you anyway, including blaming you for biking unsafely even if you were following all laws
- Bias plays a much bigger role on all sides, since even seemingly objective parties like police officers often have a severe misunderstanding of cyclist’s rights and drivers’ duties toward cyclists
Never trust an insurance company’s first offer—nor their refusal of your claim. Always take the time to consult with a lawyer as early in the process as possible.
What are my rights if I got doored?
Again, the car owner’s car insurance should cover all of your costs—but again, you may have to fight for it.
In a situation where a cyclist gets doored, the person getting out of the car is almost always at fault. This is certainly true if you were riding legally in the street or a bike lane. If you were riding somewhere you shouldn’t, which is rare in a “dooring” situation, you may still have a claim. People exiting cars are supposed to check before they open their door whether they expect a bicyclist or not. They should be looking for traffic if nothing else.
Note that the car owner’s policy will still cover your claim even if it was a passenger that opened the door. If it was a child, they probably didn’t know any better, but an adult should have been supervising them.
Can I recover money if an obstacle caused my accident?
Yes, but it depends on where and how the accident happened:
- On a street or road. Let’s say you hit a giant pothole or an open sewer grate and were injured. The local government (city, county or state, depending on the road) is responsible for maintaining these roads and making sure they’re safe. However, they may try to refuse liability if the pothole was recent (they didn’t know about it) or if the grate was highly visible. You need a lawyer for these complex cases.
- On private property. This usually means a mall, supermarket parking lot, or other business. The business or property owner is responsible for pavement conditions and may be liable. However, be aware that they will often claim you shouldn’t have been biking there. They are backed by insurance companies with deep pockets, so you should document what happened as soon as possible—including photos—and get legal advice.
Talk to a Buford Bicycle Accident Lawyer for Free
On the road, cyclists often have to deal with aggressive drivers alone. But when an accident happens, you need someone looking out for you. Let us give you a FREE consultation with some of the best bicycle lawyers in the state. You pay nothing if we don’t recover money for you. Call us at (404) 341-6555 or fill out the form to the right to get your free consultation today.
