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Though bicycle infrastructure is improving, cyclists must still share the road with motorists, putting anyone on a bike at risk for severe injuries or death from traffic accidents. Our LaGrange bicycle accident lawyer at Moffitt Law, LLC, can help you pursue damages after an accident.
In 2020, 716 riders received emergency medical services for injuries resulting from a bike crash on Georgia roads, and 34 cyclists lost their lives. If you sustained an injury after a collision with a motorist in LaGrange, you may be entitled to compensation for your losses.
Why Trust Our LaGrange Bicycle Accident Lawyers?
Moffitt Law attorneys understand Georgia’s laws and legal system and are committed to helping cyclists pursue a fair settlement for injuries received due to another’s negligence. We are your neighbors and are interested in ensuring our community is safe for everyone who uses the road.
You and motorists are both responsible for knowing the rules of the road. However, the laws don’t always make it easy to recover your losses if you have an accident. You need someone who understands the nuances and complexities of traffic and personal injury laws and knows how to interpret previous court cases to help build a strong case for you. When you need a bike accident lawyer in LaGrange, you can count on us to provide personalized services to obtain a favorable outcome.
How Do You Prove Liability in a Bicycle Collision?
As with any traffic accident case, you must prove the other party was liable for the accident that caused your injuries. Establishing fault requires you to demonstrate:
- Duty of care: The law demands that every motorist acts responsibly to keep other road users safe.
- Breach of duty: Road rules and personal injury laws indicate those who do not uphold their duty can be held liable for an accident, but proving breach of duty can be challenging. Hiring a LaGrange bicycle accident lawyer at Moffitt Law, LLC, may improve your chances of success.
- Accident cause: Drivers can breach their duty of care but not be at fault. You need to demonstrate that the breach caused the accident.
- Injury source: Establishing that you have an injury isn’t enough to hold the motorist accountable. You must prove that the injury resulted from the accident.
Fault in bicycle-vehicle collisions is not a given. The defense will try to prove that you were responsible for the accident, leaving you to bear the burden of your losses.
What Injuries Are Common in Bike Crashes?
Cyclists have little to protect them from injury if they are involved in a crash. Severe injuries are more likely for riders than vehicle occupants, even when cyclists wear a helmet. Common injuries include:
- Bone fractures
- Dislocated joints
- Spinal cord damage
- Head trauma
- Soft tissue damage
Some injuries might not be immediately evident but can cause long-term and life-altering damage. If you sustained injuries in a bike crash, contact a LaGrange bicycle accident attorney at Moffitt Law, LLC.
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What Are Georgia’s Bicycle Laws?
The League of American Bicyclists gave Georgia a D+ for infrastructure and funding and a B- for bicycle laws and practices in their 2022 cycling report card. Riders in this state may be at a higher risk of a vehicle-bicycle collision than those in states that do more to protect and educate cyclists and motorists about safely sharing the road with riders.
Georgia law classifies bicycles as vehicles, meaning cyclists must follow the state’s road rules. However, some regulations are explicitly aimed at bicycle safety, including:
- Motorists must slow down when approaching a cyclist, move into the other lane when possible, and pass with at least 3 feet between the vehicle and the bicycle.
- Motorists must yield to cyclists — such as when turning — when riders use a bicycle lane.
- Cyclists cannot ride on sidewalks (unless younger than 13) but may ride on paved shoulders, though the law doesn’t require it.
- Cyclists must ride as far to the right of the roadway as possible, except when turning left, passing another cyclist or parked vehicles, avoiding road hazards, traveling at the same speed as cars and on roads too narrow to share a lane with a vehicle.
Even if you follow the rules, drivers might not. A LaGrange bicycle accident lawyer at Moffitt Law, LLC, can help you pursue fair compensation.
How Can Bicyclists Stay Safe on the Roads?
Cyclists can take steps to increase safety when sharing the road with motorists. Wear protective gear, such as a properly fitted helmet and reflective clothing. Maintain your bike, keeping up with tune-ups and repairing damaged parts as needed. Use active lighting when riding at dusk, dawn or in the dark.
One of the best ways to stay safe is to follow the rules while exercising diligence and caution when sharing the roadway with vehicles. In other words, ride defensively.
How Can Moffitt Law, LLC, Help if You Need a LaGrange Bicycle Accident Lawyer?
If you sustained injuries in a traffic accident, a LaGrange bicycle accident lawyer at Moffitt Law, LLC, will work with you to obtain compensation for your losses. Contact us today for a free consultation.
