Bicycle Accident Lawyer in Atlanta
Injured In an Atlanta Bicycle Crash? Let Us Help You.
Bicycle riding is a popular form of transportation, especially in climates
as warm as Georgia. Although this form of transportation is very convenient,
it can be extremely dangerous - especially when the other drivers on the
road are negligent.
The injuries sustained in a cycling accident are often catastrophic. These
life-changing injuries could leave the victim and their families with
exorbitant medical bills and the need for lifelong medical care.
If you or someone you love has been seriously injured in an Atlanta bike
accident,
contact The Kalka Law Group.
An Atlanta accident attorney in our office will meet with you for free
to discuss your injuries and options after a serious crash.
Determining Fault in a Georgia Bike Accident
Cyclists are often assumed to be at fault in a car and bicycle crash. Bikers
are seen as a nuisance on roadways and are often on the receiving end
of other drivers' aggression. Along with holding the same responsibilities
as the other vehicles on the roadways, you also have the right to the
same treatment. You have the right to your space and you have the right
to safety; however, those rights are frequently compromised by negligent drivers.
Because of the complexity of Georgia bike wreck cases, you need an attorney
who will examine every possible angle to ensure you receive the compensation
you need and deserve. By performing a line-of-sight reconstruction, we
are able to prove unequivocally that there is no way the other vehicle
shouldn't have seen you.
We also pull cell phone records to determine if the other driver was distracted
at the time of the accident. The paint transfer on the negligent driver's
vehicle can also be extremely helpful to your case, as it can disprove
their claims that you darted in front of them.
Can Other Cyclists Be Considered Negligent and Cause a Bike Crash?
Yes, absolutely. Bike crashes frequently occur when a cyclist crashes into
another cyclist. Just like the traffic rules, bicycle rules are necessary
to follow. As a firm who represents bike crash victims, The Kalka Law
Group know the process those victims go through following an accident.
We represented a client who was hit by a cyclist biking on the wrong side
of the bike path and who suffered
severe neck and head injuries. Our client had to undergo a spinal fusion in the neck, surrounded with
additional long-term medical treatment. We were able to get that client
receive the maximum settlement available.
What If I Was Injured in a Hit and Run Bicycle Accident?
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In cases of injury, or property damage in excess of $500, report immediately,
or as soon as practicable, by the quickest means of communication, the
accident to the local police, office of county sheriff, or nearest state patrol.
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File within 30 days of reporting the accident, a statement under oath setting
forth the facts of the accident and claiming that he/she has a cause of
action for damages against an unidentified person; and
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Make available for inspection, at the insurance company's request, the
auto that the insured was occupying at the time of the accident.
What are My Legal Options After Bike Accident?
If you have been injured, or a love one has been seriously hurt in a bicycle
accident then it is important to contact an experienced attorney. We will
discuss with you your legal rights against the at fault driver. We will
also discuss the availability of insurance coverage that protects and
safe guards against bicycle accidents.
If you are unsure of your next steps and need help, call our office for
a free consultation today.
Serious Representation for Serious Injuries
Cyclists have very little to protect them if struck by a large vehicle.
Because of this incompatibility, the injuries sustained in bicycle crashes
can be life-altering, leaving you with lost wages, medical expenses, pain
and suffering, and the inability to fully support yourself and your family
for the remainder of your life.
We represent victims of negligence who have sustained serious injuries
in Atlanta bike accidents including:
Crucial Steps to Take after Sustaining a Road Burn in a Bicycle Accident
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Seek medical attention. Road burns from your body sliding across pavement can be mild or severe.
They require medical attention to ensure that the injured areas do not
get infected. A doctor also needs to treat the burns so that they heal
properly. Even if you only receive a scrape, it can still leave scarring.
An avulsion injury typically requires more medical treatment, stitches,
and possibly a skin graft.
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Seek legal help. Whatever type of road burn you suffer, the negligent party may be held
liable. You have legal options, and therefore should speak with an experienced
Georgia personal injury attorney to find out what type of damages you
can seek in your specific case.
The injuries that you sustain in an Atlanta bike crash can leave you with
pain and suffering, medical expenses, lost wages, and more. You may need
compensation to deal with these injuries properly.
Contact The Kalka Law Group today at (404) 907-1594 to speak to an experienced bicycle accident attorney
about the details surrounding your accident and injuries.
Why Do You Need an Attorney to Deal With Insurance After an Accident?
Although the insurance settlement that you are offered may seem tempting,
the reality is that the insurance company knows how much money it will
take to ensure you are taken care of for the remainder of your life, but
will not offer that compensation right away.
The insurance company of the liable party will try to settle your case
for as little as possible; therefore, it is extremely important to consult
with an Atlanta bike injury attorney before signing any paperwork or accepting
any statements.
History of Recovering compensation
You have enough to worry about - why should you have to worry about paying
legal fees as well? Why would you want to work with a lawyer who charges
you for their time? And why should you pay when you did not receive any
compensation for your injury case?
At The Kalka Law Group, we put our money where our mouth is. We don't make
empty promises and charge you if we don't succeed. We are so confident
that we could obtain a favorable settlement for you, that you will not
pay anything until we recover compensation.
How do you know if you are riding a bike too close to parked cars?
No specific law in Georgia states how far away a bicyclist should ride
from parked cars. Some states believe that bicyclists should ride three
feet away from parked cars for safety reasons, while other states want
cyclists to ride five feet away from parked cars. Because car door lengths
and street widths differ, it is up to the cyclists to make sure that they
are not riding too close to parked cars or too far out into traffic.
It makes sense that cyclists would want to ride closer to the parked cars,
because it keeps them closer to the side of the road and out of traffic.
However, parked cars can be just as dangerous as
moving traffic.
Even though it is the automobile driver's responsibility to look out for
a cyclist before he or she exits the vehicle, cyclists should remember
to not ride too close to parked cars for their own safety.
When a cyclist rides in the "door zone," a door can suddenly
swing into the path of the individual, stopping the bicycle as the cyclist
continues in motion and leading to a serious bicycle accident.
Cyclists should not be riding in the door zone (which is too close to parked
cars), and drivers of all vehicles should not be careless. Rather, drivers
should look to see if a cyclist is approaching their vehicle before opening
the car door.
Why do cyclists ride in door zones?
Reasons that cyclists ride too close to doors include:
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The bike lanes may be too narrow or within the door zone.
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Cyclists may be hesitant to ride closer to moving traffic.
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Cyclists may think that they have left enough room, but fail to account
for the longer doors that can be up to 4 ½ feet long.
In Georgia, the law states that every person operating a bicycle on a roadway
should ride as far to the right side of the road as possible, except for
when avoiding hazards, the lane is too narrow, turning left, traveling
at the same speed as traffic, or exercising caution when passing a vehicle
that is parked or traveling in the same direction. However, this law does
not intend for bicyclists to ride too close to parked cars. If you can
safely ride farther from parked cars without moving into traffic, it may
be in your best interest to do so.
Cyclists need to slow down, ride patiently, and watch out for parked cars
and their surroundings in order to try and avoid car and bicycle accidents
in Atlanta. However, a cyclist can do everything cautiously and still
be injured by an opening car door.
If you have been hurt due to a driver's negligence,
contact The Kalka Law Group to speak with an Atlanta personal injury attorney today.
Find an Atlanta Bicycle Accident Attorney
If you need a reputable Atlanta injury lawyer who stands behind their work,
contact The Kalka Law Group today at (404) 907-1594, or submit our
online contact form. We will fight to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
Our attorneys have been recognized for the excellence, having been selected
for inclusion in Georgia
Super Lawyers® for several consecutive years.
Contact us today for the representation you need.