You don’t hear about bicycle accidents as much as car or truck accidents in Milton, but they still happen. In 2017, there were 783 bicyclists killed in the united States from traffic collisions according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Since bicycles are smaller and have less protection than motor vehicles, bike riders are more likely to come away from an accident with serious damages. Thankfully, if you were a cyclist hurt in a collision, an experienced Milton bicycle accident lawyer can help you seek compensation.
Our bicycle accident lawyers can help. With more than 20 years of experience working on bicycle accident claims, we know what it takes to pursue full compensation of your losses. And we never work for the insurance companies that actively try to reduce what they pay out to you. Schedule a FREE consultation with our team today! Call 404-341-6555 or fill out the form on this page to get started.
What Causes Bicycle Accidents in Milton?
Bicycle accidents are most commonly caused by other drivers being inattentive or not understanding the rules of the road for cyclists. In Milton and all of Georgia, bikes have the same right to be on the road as other vehicles. Many drivers do not know this, and aren’t prepared to look out for cyclists as they’re driving. As a result, a bicycle can get quickly stuck in a dangerous situation leading to an accident.
Here are some of the most common situations that can cause a bicycle accident:
Left Turns
At an intersection, any driver planning to turn left must yield the right of way to oncoming traffic going straight unless they have a green left-turn only arrow. This rule applies to cyclists just as much as other vehicles in Milton. But many motorists either don’t know this, don’t respect that bicycles follow the same traffic laws, or don’t look out for bicycles when they turn. So a driver might not yield to a bicycle coming straight, causing an accident.
Right Turns
Right-hand turns can result in accidents, too. A car or truck driver might make a sharp right turn onto another street or at a light and fail to look for any bicycles or pedestrians first. The vehicle would collide with the bicycle. Right-hand turn accidents are almost always due to the driver simply not paying enough attention.
Four Way Stops and Intersections
At intersections with stop signs, blinking red lights, or no traffic signs at all, right of way rules must be followed. In other words, if more than one vehicle arrives at the intersection, the vehicle that arrived first has the right of way.
This applies to bicyclists too, but many drivers don’t know this or fail to lookout for the cyclists. This driver might go before their turn and collide with the cyclists. In some cases, bicycle riders can make the same mistake.
Rear-end Accidents
Bicycles don’t have brake lights like cars, so drivers can sometimes fail to judge the correct distance between their vehicles and the back of a bicycle. If they get too close, it can result in an accident. These types of accidents often happen when the driver is too distracted.
Who is at Fault if I Got Doored?
Dooring is a type of accident where a moving cyclist collides with the open door of a stopped vehicle. It usually matters when a person is getting out of their car, and doesn’t look for any oncoming traffic before opening their door. Getting doored might not sound like a big deal, but it can cause a cyclist to get thrown from their bike after the collision, leading to serious injuries and damage.
In this situation, the person who is getting out of the vehicle is almost always at fault, and you can likely make a claim with the car owner’s insurance company. That’s especially true if you were legally riding on the road. It doesn’t matter whether it’s the car’s driver or a passenger in the vehicle. Even if you were riding your bicycle somewhere where you legally weren’t supposed to, you may still have a claim. Check with a bicycle accident lawyer to be sure.
What Damages Can I Include in My Bicycle Accident Claim?
If your accident was another driver’s fault, Georgia law says you are entitled to submit a personal injury claim to their insurance for your damages. Damages refer to any costs you have as a result of the accident.
Damages you might be able to collect compensation for include:
- Medical bills from doctor visits, tests, surgeries, and more
- Prescription medications
- Lost wages
- Property damage to your bike
- Pain and suffering damages like anxiety, depression, loss of enjoyment of life, or mental anguish
Your specific damages will depend on how serious your injuries are and the other costs you now face. You’ll need to be able to show prove of these losses in your claim. That means keeping careful track of all medical bills, repairs to your bike, and time you’ve had to miss from work. If you ended up missing out on a bonus, pay raise, or other work perks because of your accident, you may be able to include those too.
Pain and suffering damages are a little harder to account for, but you’ll still need to show that you have them. This is where a bicycle accident lawyer can be invaluable. If you aren’t familiar with tort law and personal injury cases, you’ll have a hard time putting together the strongest case possible. A legal professional can help you calculate your damage and compile proof of what you deserve to receive as a settlement.
Talk to a Milton Bicycle Accident Lawyer for Free
If you or a loved one was in a bicycle accident in Milton, you have legal options. Cyclists often find themselves as victims of an accident simply because a car driver didn’t know to watch for them on the road or understand their rights. That can be a painful and stressful experience as you deal with increasing costs, missed work time, and more. That’s where we can help.
Our attorneys can look over your case, discuss the best options for you, and let you know how we can help you with your claim. And we’ll do it for FREE during your initial consultation. To schedule that consultation as soon as possible, call us today at 404-341-6555 or fill out the form on this page and we’ll get started.
