Articles Posted in Bicycle Accidents

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People who ride bicycles around town know that there are certain risks to their activities but still generally feel comfortable while riding. Many situations can arise, however, that lead to bicycle accidents in which people suffer serious injuries. 

The injuries that are possible in a bicycle accident are almost limitless, with some people only suffering minor harm that heals relatively quickly while many others can be dealing with injuries that will require several months if not years of rehabilitation. When another party is at fault for a bicycle accident, then that party could be liable for a person’s injuries. If you have been injured in a bicycle accident area in the area, call us today to speak with a bicycle accident lawyer in Atlanta.

Types of Bicycle Accidents

Two cyclists biking on a streetPre-COVID, more and more Americans each year were commuting to work on bicycles. While still a small fraction of overall daily commuters, numbers were on the rise. While no statistics are available on bicycle commuting during the pandemic, continued growth in bicycle commuting likely stalled. After all, many Americans suddenly found themselves in “nonessential” jobs and were either laid off or otherwise found themselves unemployed. However, it seems likely that the upward trend in commuting via bicycle will continue as life becomes a little more normal, whenever that might turn out to be. 

If so, then bicycle accidents in traffic crashes likely will become an issue again.

In 2018, there were 857 traffic fatalities among bicycle riders. Each year, there are about 450,000 bicycle-related injuries nationwide. Whether commuting, exercising, or just out for some fun, bicycle riders on the roadways have the same rights – and responsibilities – as any other vehicle on the roads. Given their near-total lack of protection, bicyclists involved in a traffic accident are far more likely to be injured, perhaps seriously, than the occupants of a car or truck. If you were the injured bicyclist, how do you determine your damages from a traffic accident?

A man on a road bikeBicycle accidents can leave victims with extremely serious injuries that result in astronomical medical bills and keep them out of work for weeks or months. In addition, victims often experience tremendous physical and emotional pain and suffering as a result of their accident, often long after their initial injuries have healed.

If you have recently been involved in a bicycle accident, you may be wondering how much compensation you will be able to recover. Unfortunately, there is no simple answer to this question, and every case is completely different. That said, there are some factors that will determine how much your case is worth. For more information, call us today to connect with an Atlanta bicycle accident lawyer.

Your Injuries

a bicycle parked on a sidewalkWith 80 million bicyclists on the road with various motorized vehicles, drivers and bicyclists should always follow applicable laws and safety tips for the road. Since May is National Bicycle Safety Month, there has never been a better time to review the steps you can take to keep everyone safe. If you or someone you love suffered an injury while riding a bike, a knowledgeable Georgia personal injury lawyer can help.

Bicycle Accident Statistics

Although bicycling is an excellent form of physical exercise and a great way to enjoy the outdoors, it has inherent dangers. The number of deaths from bicycle accidents grew by 29 percent over eight years, from 793 in 2010 to 1,024 in 2017, according to data from Injury Facts®. Of the 1,024 bicyclist deaths in 2017, over 66 percent involved motor vehicles. In 2018 alone, 857 bicyclists were killed in traffic crashes in the United States. This represents a seven percent increase over 2017. Since 1975, bicyclist fatalities have decreased by 15 percent. This is good news, except that these fatalities reached their lowest point in 2010 and have since increased by 38 percent.

illustration of a car and bicycle collisionIf you’re a cyclist, you are probably very familiar with the hazards you face every time you go out on the road. Distracted drivers, potholes, and angry dogs are just three of the common dangers that can quickly ruin your ride. But do you know what to do if you are injured in a bicycle accident? The steps you take immediately following your accident can be crucial in the event that you need to pursue a claim for your injuries. 

Stay Calm and Contact the Police

If you were hit by a car, emotions may be running high and you may be in considerable pain. You do not want to provoke an altercation. Do your best to stay calm and avoid making the situation worse. You should also contact the police, even if you don’t think you are injured. The police will come to the scene and prepare an accident report, which could be very helpful to your case if you have to pursue a claim later on. Get the officer’s name and badge number, and ask how to get a copy of the accident report once it’s ready.  

Children getting on a school busBelieve it or not, it’s that time of year when kids return to school. This means more traffic during rush hour and school buses traveling our roads. While it can be an exciting time of year, it’s important to recognize the potential dangers. 

The personal injury attorneys at Slappey & Sadd have been helping accident victims in the Atlanta area and across the state of Georgia since 1992. No matter what kind of accident you’ve been in, we have the experience and knowledge to help you get the compensation you deserve. If you’d like to discuss your case with one of our personal injury attorneys, call us at 404-255-6677 or visit us online to schedule a free consultation.  

Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety

Cycling in the United States is growing in popularity – not just as a form of recreation and exercise, but also as a way to get to work and as a means to get around town. Unfortunately, more bikes on the road increases the chances of more accidents and more injuries. Many motorists don’t understand the law pertaining to bicycles, and therefore think that cyclists are always at fault in an accident. Thankfully, this is not the case. If you’ve been in an accident with a motor vehicle, the driver may have negligently failed to obey the law, and therefore be liable for your injuries.    

Bicycles Have a Right to Use the Road

Under Georgia law, a bicycle is considered a “vehicle,” and is therefore subject to many of the laws concerning motor vehicles. With an exception by local ordinance for children 12 or younger, Georgia law actually prohibits you from riding on the sidewalk. As a result, you have a right to ride your bike on the road, despite what that angry motorist may have told you.  

Nationwide, cycling is seeing an increase in popularity for both recreation and transportation. As more cyclists take to the road, the number of accidents between cars and bikes also increases. Because these accidents often result in serious injury, it’s important to know what to do beforehand.  

Stay Calm

Do your best to stay calm and avoid panicking. You also want to keep your temper and avoid getting into an altercation with the police. If you can move, get out of the street and find a safe place on the sidewalk but remain close to the scene of the accident. Your body may be full of adrenaline, masking any potential injuries.  

A New Jersey man and his wife have been awarded $3.2 million in damages after a Philadelphia jury found the city of Philadelphia liable for his injuries. On May 17, 2015, Anthony Degliomini was riding his bike as part of the inaugural Phillies Charities Bike Ride when he hit a large hole just before crossing the finish line. Although he was wearing a helmet, he flew over the handlebars, hit the pavement, and was knocked unconscious. He was hospitalized for five days at Thomas Jefferson University Hospital before being transferred to Magee Rehabilitation Hospital, where he stayed for an additional 20 days. His attorneys say that his injuries were severe, including an injury to his spinal cord that necessitated the implantation of rods and screws to fuse his spine together.

Degliomini’s attorneys argued during the trial that the city of Philadelphia knew of the sinkhole before issuing the event permit to its organizers because it was visible on Google Earth images in October 2014, nine months before the event. They said that the city’s attempt to patch the sinkhole prior to the event failed because it was treated like a routine pothole. There was even debate during the trial over whether the hole in question was actually a “pothole” or a “sinkhole.” The hole measured 16 square feet in diameter and was six inches deep. Degliomini argued that this qualifies as a sinkhole, while the city of Philadelphia argued that it was merely a pothole. Either way, the jury sided with the plaintiff.

Holes and broken pavement present a serious issue for cyclists since they can cause a bicycle to stop abruptly, throwing the rider over the handlebars. And even if the rider is wearing a helmet, he or she could still suffer facial and spinal cord injuries like the plaintiff in the above case. In Philadelphia alone, the city repaired 30,000 potholes last year and is on track to repair approximately 44,000 this year. City officials say that this year is particularly challenging for potholes because of the constant freezing and thawing that the region has experienced, which helps to create potholes.

When most people think of car accident injuries, they think of injuries caused by two cars colliding with each other. After all, since most of us drive a personal vehicle to commute each day, this is our primary concern. However, riding a bicycle as a form of transportation has become increasingly popular in recent years, especially in large cities like Atlanta. While there are several advantages to cycling over driving an automobile, including being healthier, better for the environment, and just more fun all around, safety is not one of them. Cyclists face serious injury or even death when they are struck by automobiles.

Bicycle Accident Liability Basics

Bicycle accidents involve many of the same determinations of fault as auto accidents. In fact, bicycles are considered “vehicles” for legal purposes in Georgia, meaning that the general rules of vehicular traffic apply to bikes on the same basis as motor vehicles. This includes driving on the right side of the road, stopping at stop signs and lights, and using forward and rearward illumination at night.

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