Using a bicycle as a means of transportation is a great way to stay in shape and benefit the environment, as well as to cut down on your expenses. Unfortunately, the majority of commuters in Marietta still drive their motor vehicles, so bicycles and cars have to share the roads.
Whenever there is a collision between a bicycle and a motor vehicle, the bicycle always loses. Ninety percent of fatal bicycle accidents involve motor vehicles, and survivors are usually left with severe injuries.
If you have been injured in a collision with a car while riding your bike, you may be facing a long recovery period during which you will be unable to work. Losing your source of income is a terrifying prospect in itself, but a Marietta bicycle accident lawyer can help.
You should not have to suffer financially because of an accident that was caused by someone else.
How Can a Marietta Bicycle Accident Attorney Help Me?
Any type of collision involving a bicycle has the potential to cause serious injuries. Medical bills are typically the most expensive part of any accident.
You may believe that your insurance company will cover your medical expenses, but they may take a very long time to pay. When they eventually pay, it might be far less than you are legally entitled to, or they may deny your claim completely.
If you find yourself in a difficult situation because you are injured and need medical attention, you are too badly injured to work, so you are not getting paid, and the insurance company is refusing to help, call the CEO Lawyer to get things moving. You should not have to wait for the insurance company while your bills are adding up and possibly increasing with interest.
Our expert law team at the CEO Lawyer believes that you deserve to be treated fairly and with respect. Our Marietta bicycle accident attorneys will handle the insurance company and any other legal matters associated with your bike accident.
Our knowledge and experience with personal injury law will maximize your compensation amount without all the stress and frustration for you.
Your Marietta bicycle accident lawyer will investigate your accident to determine what happened and who was at fault and, therefore, liable for your damages. Our lawyers are skilled at finding negligence and evidence to support your claims and hold the right parties accountable for the losses you have suffered by their actions.
How Can I Stay Safe While Riding a Bicycle?
Riding bicycles is a healthy way for people to enjoy the outdoors while saving money on transportation. Bike riding is becoming more popular as people are becoming aware of the benefits of recreation, transportation, and exercise.
There are ways to stay safe while riding your bike, but accidents still happen, so your vigilance is of the utmost importance, especially when riding around other vehicles.
According to the National Safety Council, there were 299,944 non-fatal injuries reported for bicyclists in 2021 and 1,230 deaths. All of these injuries and deaths are considered preventable.
If you have been injured or your loved one has been killed in a bicycle accident, contact the Marietta bicycle attorneys at the CEO Lawyer to learn about your legal rights and whether you are entitled to compensation for your damages.
Over 70 percent of bicycle accident deaths occur in urban areas; the higher amount of traffic in cities makes riding your bicycle on the roads very dangerous. Most drivers of motor vehicles are not accustomed to watching for bicycles, and bikes are already difficult to see because of their small profile.
If you must share the road with other vehicles, take the following steps to maximize your safety:
- Always wear a helmet when riding a bicycle: According to the Cleveland Clinic, bicycle helmets reduce the risk of head injuries by 60 percent. Your helmet must fit properly and be worn at all times. It could save your life and can also mean the difference between a debilitating traumatic brain injury and a full recovery.
- Stay visible: Bicycles have a smaller profile than other vehicles and often travel at different speeds than the rest of the traffic. About 20 percent of fatal bicycle crashes happen during the evening when visibility drops but traffic is still heavy. Wear high visibility clothing and make sure your bike is equipped with reflectors, a headlight, and a tail light.
- Always ride sober. Some people think riding a bicycle is a good way to get home after drinking without driving, but that is not true. Bike riders are held to the same traffic laws as drivers, so it is illegal to ride a bike while intoxicated. Riding while under the influence of alcohol or drugs is recklessly dangerous and should never be attempted. Almost a fifth of bike riders who had fatal accidents were over the legal limit for blood alcohol content. If you need to travel after drinking, you must rely on someone sober, such as a designated driver, a ride-share service, public transportation, or call a family member or friend.
Call a Marietta Bicycle Accident Law Firm For Help
Fatalities involving bicycle accidents have increased during the last decade by 40 percent. Survivors of bicycle crashes often face life-altering injuries because of the lack of safety features available on a bicycle.
You should not have to wait extended periods of time to get the compensation you deserve after getting injured in a bicycle accident that was not your fault.
The CEO Lawyer has over a 99 percent success rate in recovering damages for our clients. We proudly serve the Marietta community and will have your case our immediate attention so you can get paid as soon as practicable.
Call us today at (470) 323-8779 for a free, no-risk consultation with a seasoned professional.
What Is the Most Common Cause of Bicycle Accidents?
There are many reasons why bicycle accidents happen, but the most common causes are the condition of the roadway and vehicle occupants opening their doors into the path of an oncoming bicycle.
A cyclist’s safety is heavily dependent on the road conditions. Potholes, cracks, bumps, disintegrating shoulders, debris, and uneven surfaces all pose a significant risk to someone riding a bike. These hazards can cause cyclists to lose their balance or cause either the rider or a vehicle to swerve suddenly and cause a collision.
If you have been in a bicycle accident on Marietta’s public roads and the condition of the road played a part in causing that accident, call a professional bicycle accident attorney as soon as possible. You may be entitled to compensation for your injuries and the damage caused to your bike.
What Is a Bicycle Accident Claim?
There are many components of a bicycle accident that will determine your ability to file a claim. For example, if you were in a collision with a motor vehicle, you might have significant damage to your bicycle and costly medical expenses from your injuries that you have the right to be compensated for.
By filing a claim with the driver’s insurance company, you should receive a payment that covers all of your accident related expenses.
Unfortunately, the driver may try to place the blame for the accident on you. When this happens, you will need a skilled bicycle accident lawyer to build your case and prove that you were the victim and the driver caused the accident through their negligence.
What Should I Do After a Bicycle Crash?
The very first two things you should do after a bicycle accident are to check yourself for injuries and to make sure you are in a safe place. You do not want to risk further injuries by moving too much, but you also need to make sure you are not in danger from oncoming traffic that might not see you lying on the road, for example.
If your accident involved a collision with a motor vehicle, you should call the police to have an official report made to document the incident. Only give facts to the officer and no opinions.
Do not discuss your accident with anyone aside from your attorney. Anything you say might be used against you later, and there are probably details about the accident that you are not aware of, so be careful not to admit guilt before your lawyer conducts an investigation.
You may feel like you did something wrong, but be completely innocent.
You will also have to get examined by a medical professional, even if you feel fine. The adrenaline released during the accident masks pain, so you might be injured more seriously than you realize.
Symptoms of some injuries take days or longer to appear, and insurance companies may deny claims for medical treatment if you wait too long after the accident. Your medical examination will also serve as official documentation of your injuries from the accident.
You should take pictures of the severity of your injuries to use as evidence in case your claims go to court, which would happen long after they have healed or faded. In addition, write down all the details of the accident right away while your memory is fresh.
You should keep a record of everything that happened before, during, and after the incident so no details are forgotten or altered by someone trying to change your mind about what really happened.
Try to get statements from witnesses to the accident as well as their contact information in case your lawyer needs to question them. Even witnesses who attest to how your injuries have impacted your life are important.
Hire a Knowledgeable Marietta Bicycle Accident Attorney to Maximize Your Compensation
Discussing the details of your bike accident with an experienced Marietta bicycle accident lawyer will help you understand your rights and what to do next.
You may have the right to seek compensation for your injuries and property damage. Your lawyer will also protect you from making costly mistakes like accepting a low settlement offer that will not cover all of your damages or accidentally accepting blame for the accident.
Call the CEO Lawyer Personal Injury Law Firm today at (470) 323-8779 for a free consultation.
