If you’re hit by a car or get into another type of accident while on your bicycle in Sandy Springs, you’re protected by the same personal injury laws as motorists on the roads. And if the accident wasn’t your fault, you can likely recovery money for your injuries and damages. Unfortunately, cyclists are not always taken seriously by other drivers, insurance companies, or something police following an accident, so it’s important to contact a Sandy Springs bicycle accident lawyer.
Our attorneys know how to help cyclists after they’ve been in an accident. With over 20 years of experience working bicycle accident cases, we know how to win cases and walk you through the steps required to recovery money you’re entitled to for your injuries. Bikes have a right to share the road, and you have a right to a settlement. For a FREE consultation call, contact us today at 404-341-6555 or fill out the form to your right today.
What should I do if I was in a bicycle accident in Sandy Springs?
There are a number of types of bicycle accidents that can happen on local roads. The two most common situations include:
- A cyclist gets in a car accident with a motorist on the road
- The cyclist gets “doored” by someone opening the door of a parked car as the cyclist is going by
If either of these is the case, or if you were hit by a motor vehicle in any way, here’s what you should do.
- Call the police. Even if the driver doesn’t want to call authorities, you should do it to protect yourself. Ask officers that come to the scene to create a police report detailing what happened, which can help your case. If the accident involved any injuries or property damage, including damage to your bicycle, it’s police duty to file a report. Tell police exactly what happened. If you need to, remind them that bike riders have the right to be in the road—in fact, they’re legally required to ride in the road with traffic, even without a bike lane.
- Gather information. Exchange information with the driver. Get their full name, driver’s license number, insurance information, address, and phone number. If the driver pulls a hit and run on you, try to get their license plate number and any other information you can remember. Take pictures of the scene and all injuries or damage you suffered.
- File a claim with the driver’s insurance. After a claim has been filed, the insurance company will determine fault in the accident, usually after following the determination made in the police report. It’s important to know that whatever the insurer decides is not the final decision, and you should have your attorney help you with this part. If the driver is found to be “at fault,” you’ll probably be offered a settlement amount. But your lawyer will put together hard evidence and negotiate your case with the insurance company to ensure they offer you an amount that is fair and covers all damages.
It’s very important that you NOT speak with anyone from the driver’s insurance company or accept any type of money until you’ve called a bicycle accident lawyer. Insurers will try many tactics to reduce the amount they pay out for a claim, and they may take advantage of your vulnerability during this time.
Bicycle accidents can also happen when the cyclist gets hit by some sort of obstacle in the road, such as a sewer grate or pothole. If this happens to you, you’ll want to:
- Take pictures and video of the scene, the obstacle, and the damage as soon as possible.
- Tell someone. If the obstacle was on private property, report what happened to a store manage or someone else who has authority for the property. If they tell you someone else is in charge of the property, ask for their contact information, especially their name and phone number.
- Call your lawyer. No matter the situation, contact your attorney as soon as possible. They’ll help you with the next steps of filing a claim with the right people.
What kinds of injuries are most common in a bicycle accident?
Injuries from a bicycle accident can vary in severity. Since cyclists are not as protected during an accident as someone in a heavy automobile like a car, bicycle accidents can unfortunately be more serious. Types of injuries from bicycle accidents can include:
- Bone fractures to arms, wrists, hands, legs, hips, shoulders, and more
- Hand injuries or dislocated joints from trying to break the fall after falling off the bicycle
- Road rash from friction on the road
- Head injuries ranging from cuts and scrapes to skull fractures, sometimes even when wearing helmet
- Facial injury from soft tissue injuries to jaw fractures
- Dental injuries, such as broken mandibles and chipped or cracked teeth
- Neck injury, including neck muscles, joints, tendons, and the vertebrae
- Nerve damage or paralysis
- Other serious situations like amputation, spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury (TBI), or even death
Some of these injuries can lead to life-long changes or disabilities in the victim’s life. No matter the severity of the injury, though, you’re entitled to financial recovery for them. If a cyclist was killed in a bicycle accident, their family members can pursue a wrongful death claim. A lawyer can help them in determining losses and expenses.
Can I still recover money if I wasn’t wearing a helmet?
Yes, you can. However, if you suffered an injury that wearing a helmet could have prevented, such as certain head injuries, your recovery amount may be reduced.
Talk to a Sandy Spring Bicycle Accident Lawyer for Free
If you or a loved one was injured in a bicycle accident, our lawyers are here to help you. Working with us is risk-free: We’ll give you a FREE consultation call to discuss your case, and you won’t pay a thing unless we get you the money. Contact us today at 404-341-6555 or complete the form to your right for your free consultation.
