Woodstock Bicycle Accident Lawyer - Geiger Legal Group, LLC

Georgia Bicycle Laws

Under Georgia law, bicycles are legally considered vehicles. As such, bicyclists have many of the same rights and responsibilities as car and truck drivers. However, the following rules and restrictions apply specifically to Georgia cyclists:

Bicycle riders and passengers under the age of 16 are required to wear well-fitting, protective helmets on public roads, bike paths, and sidewalks.

Cyclists who are 13 years old or older are prohibited from riding along sidewalks or sidewalk areas.

Cyclists must ride as close to the right-hand side of the road as possible unless they are executing left-hand turns, moving to avoid road hazards, or riding in a lane that is too narrow to share safely with a motor vehicle.

Cyclists are prohibited from riding more than two abreast on public roadways.

Cyclists operating in bicycle lanes must ride in the same direction as road traffic.

When riding at night, cyclists must use white headlights and red rear reflectors or lights that are visible from 300 feet away.

Motor vehicle operators approaching cyclists on the road must proceed with caution by either allowing at least three feet of space between the vehicle and any bicycles at all times or reducing their speed when passing said bicycles.

Types of Bicycle Accidents

Most bicycle accidents are preventable tragedies caused by driver negligence. The most common types of bicycle accidents in Woodstock include:

“Left cross” and “right cross” accidents – In a left or right cross accident, a driver preparing to make a left- or right-hand turn fails to notice a cyclist within the intersection and crashes into the side of the bicycle while executing their turn.

“Right hook” accidents – These accidents occur when a driver tries and fails to make a right-hand turn in front of a cyclist traveling in the same direction. When drivers do not create enough distance to overtake and turn safely in front of bicycles, they can strike cyclists from the side or head-on.

Rear-end collisions – Rear-end bicycle accidents often occur when motorists follow dangerously close behind cyclists. Cyclists can easily become pinned, crushed, or tossed from their bicycles in rear-end collisions.

Backing up accidents – Backing up accidents occur when drivers fail to look behind themselves before they reverse out of parking spots, garages, or driveways. Motorists who neglect their rear blind spots can back up directly into passing cyclists and cause serious harm, even at relatively low speeds.

Dooring accidents – Dooring accidents occur when car or truck occupants open their vehicle doors without checking their surroundings for oncoming cyclists. Cyclists who collide with open doors can sustain serious injuries upon impact.

What Should I Do After a Bicycle Accident?

The actions you take in the aftermath of a bicycle accident can have a significant impact on your ability to recover the compensation you deserve for your losses. If you were involved in a bicycle accident, you can protect your rights by:

Seeking prompt medical care – If you sustain any injuries, seek medical attention as soon as possible to get the care you need and establish a permanent record of your physical condition. Make sure you follow through on your doctor’s recommendations and attend all follow-up appointments.
Documenting everything you can – Write down everything you can remember about the accident as soon as possible, take down contact and insurance details from the driver, ask available witnesses for statements and contact information, and take photos of the accident scene and any visible damage.
Establishing a “pain journal” – It can be difficult to quantify non-economic costs such as pain and suffering. Keeping a written log of your daily pain levels and physical limitations can serve as useful evidence of your personal losses when you claim compensation for the wreck.
Keeping track of accident-related documents – Hang on to any medical bills, repair invoices, or other receipts you accumulate from accident-related expenses. These documents will help you calculate a reasonable estimate for your claim that takes all of your losses into account.
Avoiding recorded statements and social media activity – If an insurance adjuster or another attorney asks you to provide a recorded statement, it’s always best to speak to a lawyer for advice first. Similarly, avoid posting any information or photos related to the accident on your social media accounts since the other side could potentially access this content and use it to discredit your claim.

Contacting a knowledgeable attorney – Contact a bicycle accident attorney right away. A bicycle accident lawyer can help you understand your rights and seek fair compensation for your losses.

Common Bicycle Accident Injuries

Cyclists do not have steel frames, seat belts, or airbags to protect them from the blunt-force impact of traffic collisions. As a result, bike riders are extremely vulnerable to the following types of common bicycle accident injuries:

Traumatic brain injuries
Face and jaw injuries
Dental trauma
Scarring and disfigurement
Back and neck injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Partial or total paralysis
Broken or dislocated bones
Traumatic or surgical amputations
Soft tissue strains, sprains, and tears
Internal injuries and bleeding
Lacerations, bruises, and burns
Knee, elbow, and joint injuries
Post-traumatic stress disorder

What Types of Compensation Can I Recover from a Bicycle Accident in Woodstock, GA?

If you were injured in a bicycle accident caused by a negligent motorist in Woodstock, GA, you could be entitled to compensation from a bicycle accident claim. With a successful claim, you could receive money to reimburse you for things like

Medical bills – The costs of any medical care you receive to treat your accident-related injuries, as well as projected costs of any related medical care you will likely need in the future.
Incidental expenses – Out-of-pocket costs you incur as a result of the accident or your subsequent injuries, such as the costs of transportation to and from reasonable and necessary medical appointments.

Property repair expenses – The costs of repairing or replacing your bicycle, riding gear, or any other personal property of yours that was damaged in the bicycle accident.
Lost wages – The value of any lost wages or earnings resulting from missed time at work while you are recovering from your bicycle accident injuries.

Lost earning potential – The projected value of losses in your lifetime earning potential, if you sustain disabling injuries that prevent you from returning to your former job or career path.

Pain and suffering – The subjective costs of the physical pain, mental anguish, and emotional suffering you endure due to the bicycle accident and your subsequent injuries.

Depending on the circumstances surrounding the accident, you could also be entitled to punitive damages. The term “punitive damages” refers to a rare type of compensation awarded to victims injured by extremely negligent or intentionally malicious at-fault parties. To receive punitive damages, you must be able to demonstrate that the actions of an at-fault motorist showed reckless indifference, malice, fraud, or willful misconduct.

How Can I File a Bicycle Accident Claim in Woodstock, GA?

If you suspect you have grounds for a Woodstock bicycle accident claim, there are several steps you can take to file your claim and pursue rightful compensation. You can get started by:

Contacting a Woodstock bicycle accident lawyer – An experienced bicycle accident attorney can explain your legal rights, walk you through your options, and help you determine whether you have strong grounds for a claim.
Filing a police report – Georgia law requires you to file a police report after most accidents involving injury or property damage. Most insurance policies require you to submit a police report before you can file a claim, so it’s a good idea to file a report with your local police department as soon as possible.

Filing an insurance claim – Your next step will be to file an insurance claim against the at-fault driver. If the driver was uninsured, underinsured, or fled the scene, you may be able to obtain compensation from your own auto insurance policy by filing an uninsured (UM) or underinsured motorist (UIM) claim.

Participating in settlement negotiations – After you file your initial claim paperwork, your attorney can help you navigate one or several rounds of settlement negotiations with the insurance company.

Filing a personal injury lawsuit, if necessary – If the insurance company refuses to agree to a reasonable settlement for your losses, your lawyer can help you prepare and file a personal injury lawsuit in Georgia civil court to demand full compensation.

How Our Woodstock Bicycle Accident Attorneys Can Help

At Geiger Legal Group, LLC, our supportive Woodstock bicycle accident lawyers can help you examine your legal options and pursue the best path toward personal and financial recovery. Contact us today to discuss the details of your bicycle accident claim with our knowledgeable attorneys.

Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Woodstock, GA