Sandy Springs Bicycle Accident Lawyer

Georgia state has a healthy community of bicycle riders, so it makes sense that there are also a ton of bicycle laws that outline how citizens can traverse the roadways. In Sandy Springs and every community in Georgia, bicycles are legally considered a “vehicle”. Under the law, that means they need to operate in the same way as other cars on the road, and cars also need to treat bicyclists with the same level of respect, too.

If you do wind up experiencing a bicycle accident here in Georgia, then your losses might start adding up quickly. From medical bills to a broken bike, you might have a lot to contend with.

If that’s the case, then you should consider reaching out to a Sandy Springs bicycle accident lawyer about your next steps. In many situations, you can recover from some of your losses by seeking out compensation from either your insurance provider, another involved party, or the other party’s insurance company. Learn more about bicycle accident claims, the compensation you can potentially claim, and how a bicycle injury attorney in Sandy Springs can help you below.

What is a Bicycle Accident Lawyer?

Before you start searching for your ideal lawyer, you might want to learn more about what a bicycle accident attorney does exactly. In a nutshell, your lawyer will be your best legal advocate. The right representative should assist you in:

• Determining if your situation meets the legal criteria for a claim against the negligent party
• Identifying the potentially liable party or parties
• Building your claim
• Collecting evidence
• Documenting your losses
• Filing the official legal paperwork
• Negotiating with the other party or insurance adjusters
• Hiring medical witnesses to testify about your injuries
• Representing you in court

While hiring a bicycle accident lawyer isn’t a legal requirement for seeking out compensation, it will make the whole process easier for you. Even better, an attorney will help you maximize your claim to ensure you get the full amount of compensation you deserve.

Types of Bicycle Accidents in Sandy Springs

Every bicycle accident that happens here in Sandy Springs is unique. That’s one reason why it’s important to talk about what happened with a solid Sandy Springs bicycle accident law firm. Not every type of bicycle accident gives rise to a claim for compensation. For instance, if you were riding your bicycle on a roadway, failed to signal that you were turning, and hit another car, then you might not have much recourse if you were fully at fault.

Here are some of the most common types of bicycle accidents:

• Left cross bicycle crash
• Accidents that happen against traffic
• Rear end collisions
• Accidents that happen when a vehicle attempts to overtake a bicycle
• Right hook crashes
• Falling incidents

If your situation doesn’t fall into any of these categories, then that doesn’t mean that you don’t have a claim. It’s always best to talk with a lawyer to find out more about your legal options.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Several factors can lead to a bicycle accident, and it’s important to figure out what exactly caused your crash if you’re hoping to seek out a claim. In general, the party that was mostly responsible for the crash will be held financially liable. Here are some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents:

• Driver error
• A violation of traffic laws
• Distracted driving
• Speeding or other reckless driving maneuvers
• Reckless bicycling behaviors
• Turning without looking or signals
• Failure to yield

When you call the police, they’ll immediately begin investigating what caused the crash. They should note what they find out on their official police report.

Negligent Drivers and Traffic Laws in Sandy Springs

One main reason to hire a Sandy Springs bicycle accident lawyer after your crash is to help you identify the negligent driver or negligent party responsible for your financial losses. In Sandy Springs and all throughout Georgia, traffic laws state that every driver (and bike rider) automatically assumes a legal duty to provide for the safety of other motorists, pedestrians, and bikers on the road. Any failure to uphold this duty of care that results in an accident could be considered legal liability in a future claim.

Other parties might also have a legal duty to provide for your safety, too, though. For instance, if a pothole caused your bike to spin out of control and then a vehicle hit you, then the city government responsible for the road might potentially be held responsible for your losses if they knew about the pothole and didn’t fix it. Another potential scenario could happen where a bike manufacturer was negligent in designing a bike’s safety features which contributed to your crash. In this situation, the manufacturer might be considered at-fault.

The Role of Insurance Companies and Policies after a Bicycle Accident

Another prime reason to hire a Sandy Springs bicycle accident lawyer is to help you field any calls or negotiations with insurance companies. Georgia is an at-fault accident state, which means courtrooms will attribute financial liability to the at-fault driver. When an accident happens, you’ll likely need to first deal with the insurance company that provides the policy for the at-fault driver. They should cover your injuries and property damage, but if your losses exceed the policy limits, then you may have to pursue a claim against the driver or another party.

Obtaining Legal Representation and Filing an Insurance Claim

Before you get compensation from the insurance provider, be sure to talk to a bicycle injury attorney in Sandy Springs. Otherwise, you could accidentally accept a settlement amount that’s far less than what you deserve. Even worse, you could end up making a statement that derails your claim altogether.

Understanding Your Rights as an Accident Victim

If you know you were involved in an accident that was someone else’s fault, then you need to know your rights. Under the law, the at-fault party will be held financially liable for any damages that result from the accident. Losses like your medical bills and property damage are recoverable. You have the right to seek out damages from the at-fault party’s insurance company and from the at-fault party themselves. While you do get to enjoy these rights, you need to keep in mind that the burden of proof rests on your shoulders as the victim. To ensure that you compile the strongest case, it might be in your best interests to consult with a Sandy Springs bicycle accident lawyer about what happened before you file any type of claim or accept an offered settlement.

Calculating Damages and Medical Expenses After a Bicycle Accident

Valuing your bicycle accident claim is an important part of seeking out compensation. If you aren’t clear on what you’ve lost or you don’t document all your losses with the proper evidence, then you might miss out on all the compensation you could potentially claim. Calculating your damage might involve adding up losses like:

• Your current medical bills
• Your estimated future medical costs
• Your property damage repair costs
• Lost wages
• Lost earning capacity
• Pain and suffering

Some losses are straightforward, but things like pain and suffering can be hard to estimate. A bicycle accident lawyer can help you put a monetary value on these non-economic types of damages.

How to Find the Right Bicycle Accident Lawyer for Your Case in Sandy Springs

The right Sandy Springs bicycle accident law firm won’t just fall into your lap after your accident. You’ll need to put in a little work to make sure you hire the best person and firm for the job. To ensure you do so, consider taking the following steps during your search:

• Look for a firm or lawyer with specific experience representing clients hurt in bicycle accidents
• If a fatality occurred, then be sure to hire a lawyer with experience handling wrongful death claims
• Check out the firm’s past case results
• Review the firm or lawyer’s reviews
• Schedule a consultation to get a feel for the lawyer’s personality
• Inquire about the lawyer’s availability

If you take these steps, then you should feel confident that you’re hiring the right lawyer or Sandy Springs law firm to handle your case.

Are You Ready to Get in Touch with an Attorney?

A bicycle accident might seem straightforward initially, but as soon as those financial losses start adding up, things can get complicated fast. You’ll likely need to discuss what happened with your insurance provider, but before you do that, it might make the most sense to talk to a Sandy Springs bicycle accident lawyer first.

Heading into a talk with an insurance adjuster or the other party without legal counsel could be disastrous to your claim. You could make an error or say something that later gets used against you.

A good lawyer will advise you on how to handle the interaction. They’ll also help you make an informed decision on whether seeking out a claim is worth your time and effort. If you’re ready to get started on your case, then we can help. Schedule a free consultation with our attorneys now to discuss your situation in more detail.