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

Bicycles often share roads with motor vehicles, so it is not surprising that many bicycle accident cases also involve motor vehicles. Many bicycle accidents stem from some kind of driver negligence, such as people failing to stop for stop lights or traffic signs, distracted driving, or speeding.

 

It is also possible that some people could be involved in bicycle accidents involving nothing other than some kind of issue with the bicycle. In these types of cases, people could still have possible injury claims against bicycle manufacturers when bicycles were defective or bicycle rental companies when they did not maintain bikes properly.

 

Certain cases could also involve possibly unsafe surfaces for people to ride their bikes on, and it may be possible that a governmental entity responsible for maintaining a roadway is liable for certain injuries resulting from hazardous road surfaces. Another extremely common kind of accident exclusive to bicycles is the so-called “dooring” accident in which people exiting automobiles open car doors into the paths of bicyclists and bicyclists are powerless to avoid collisions.

Bicycle Accident Compensation

Any person who suffers injuries in a bicycle accident will be dealing with multiple bills and other financial headaches because of their crash. Most people who suffer injuries in a bicycle accident can file a personal injury claim against a negligent party to seek compensatory damages that are usually a combination of economic damages and noneconomic damages.

 

Economic damages are the kinds of tangible costs people can prove in court such as medical bills, lost wages, and property damage. Noneconomic damages relate to much more subjective claims such as pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of consortium.

 

While people like to envision the possible damages in a court case, most bicycle accident cases are instead resolved through settlements because insurance companies would much rather pay large settlements than bear the costs of going to trial and risking an even larger judgment. People should also be aware that many insurance companies will try to reach out and offer lump sum settlements very quickly after most accidents, but you will always want to have an attorney negotiating your settlement so you can be confident that you are really getting as much as possible.

Call Us Today to Speak with an Atlanta Bicycle Accident Lawyer

If you suffered catastrophic injuries or your loved one was killed in a bicycle accident in Atlanta, you are going to want to make sure that you quickly seek legal assistance navigating the personal injury claim process. Slappey & Sadd understands how frightening and confusing it can be for most people to try and recover compensation following a bicycle accident, but we have helped countless people do exactly that by representing them in these types of cases.

 

Our firm will immediately commence an independent investigation into your accident to preserve important evidence and begin building a winning case. You can call our office or contact us online to receive a free consultation with our bicycle accident lawyer.