Every year, thousands of bicyclists are injured as a result of a driver’s negligent or reckless conduct.
These types of accidents can have devastating consequences for victims and their families because injuries sustained in collisions between cyclists and motorists tend to be particularly severe and are often deadly.
Although no amount of compensation may be able to return an injured party to his or her pre-accident state of health, collecting compensation from the at-fault party can go a long way towards helping victims get back on their feet.
If you were injured in a collision with a motorist, it is critical to contact an experienced DeKalb County, Atlanta personal injury lawyer who can help you seek compensation for your medical expenses.
Common Causes
Like accidents between two vehicles, bicycle accidents involving a motorist can occur in a variety of situations.
However, the majority of bicycle accidents are caused by:
- A driver’s failure to obey traffic signals;
- A driver’s failure to check his or her blind spot prior to turning or changing lanes;
- A driver’s decision to operate a vehicle while under the influence of drugs or alcohol;
- Poor road conditions;
- A malfunctioning traffic signal; and
- Defective bicycle parts.
Although in many cases, one party is clearly at fault in causing a collision between a cyclist and a driver, other cases are not so simple, which makes it especially important for injured parties to seek the advice of a mass tort attorney in Toccoa who can evaluate their claim.
Potential Injuries
Because they do not have access to seat belts and airbags, cyclists have little protection from direct impact with other objects.
Injuries suffered by cyclists are usually severe and can include everything from lacerations and broken bones to traumatic brain injury and spinal cord damage.
Treating these types of serious injuries can be prohibitively expensive as it often requires ongoing care, multiple appointments, surgery, physical therapy, and prescription medications.
Fortunately, injured parties can collect compensation for these expenses as well as lost wages and pain and suffering damages with the help of a mass tort attorney.
Precautionary Measures
Taking the following preventive measures can help cyclists reduce their chances of being involved in an accident with a motorist:
- Wearing bright or reflective clothing;
- Using a front headlight and a rear red light at night;
- Refraining from riding on sidewalks or outside of the bike lane;
- Obeying all traffic laws; and
- Remaining vigilant for any road defects, such as potholes.
It is critical for drivers to keep an eye out for bicyclists at all times and to refrain from driving within bike lanes unless conducting a legal turn.
Drivers should also be careful to give cyclists plenty of room when passing them on the street.
If you need help with your personal injury claim, reach out to a mass tort lawyer in Atlanta
Contact us Today to Speak With an Experienced DeKalb County Bicycle Accident Attorney To learn more about how to collect compensation for injuries caused by another person’s negligence, please schedule a consultation with an experienced Atlanta personal injury lawyer at the Angell Law Firm by calling (770) 217-4954 today.
Bryce is considered a highly esteemed trial lawyer and a passionate client advocate amongst his peers in the Atlanta legal community. Never afraid to go the extra mile for his clients, Bryce Angell works tirelessly to ensure that each client’s personal injury case gets the attention that it deserves.