Bicycle Accident Attorney, GA

Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo, LLC. has fought for the injured for more than 25 years. If you or your loved one suffered harm in a bicycle accident caused by a negligent driver, we can help you seek the compensation you deserve. Our Georgia bicycle accident attorneys will work tirelessly to ensure the person who caused your injuries pays for your damages—not you or your family. 

 

Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo, LLC., Will Fight to Recover Your Bicycle Accident Losses

Under Georgia law, motor vehicle operators are financially responsible for accidents they cause. Therefore, if a negligent driver hit you, our bicycle accident attorneys can pursue compensation with an automobile insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. We can also seek compensation through any applicable policies you hold, such as optional personal injury protection (PIP) or uninsured motorists (UM) coverage. 

Our attorneys will explore your options and help you understand your best course of action for securing fair and adequate financial recovery. In general, compensation for a bicycle accident in Georgia may include the following:

 

Medical Bills

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), bicycle accidents can cause severe and fatal injuries, including

• Traumatic brain injuries. The AAFP states that head injuries are the leading cause of bicycle accident fatalities and long-term disabilities. Those who suffer a head injury may experience a range of severe side effects and complications, including problems with vision, speech, and hearing, loss of coordination and balance, and changes in mood and behavior. In addition, bicycle riders are also vulnerable to neck injuries, eye injuries, and dental injuries. 
• Broken bones. Broken bones can be painful, limit mobility, and require weeks or even months to heal fully. Treatment for broken bones ranges from immobilization and casting to traction and surgery. 
• Internal organ damage. Colliding with a motor vehicle, a bicycle’s handlebars, or the road (if thrown from a bike) can cause trauma to the chest and abdomen, resulting in internal injuries to the lungs, bowels, and intestines. 
• Cuts, bruising, and lacerations (road rash). Road rash injuries can be serious, especially if debris is lodged in the wounds, the wounds cover large portions of the body, or the wounds become infected. 

 

Severe injuries may require extensive and ongoing medical treatment. Our bicycle accident lawyers in Georgia can review your medical bills and work with doctors and other experts to estimate the cost of your expected future healthcare needs. We will then work to recover a settlement amount that ensures you do not pay out of pocket. Awards may include:

• Ambulance transportation and emergency department treatment
• Doctor and specialists’ services
• Prescription drugs
• Surgeries and follow-up procedures
• Hospitalizations
• Medical equipment and mobility aids
• Physical, cognitive, and occupational therapy
• Long-term nursing services and in-home health care
• Lifecare expenses

 

Lost Income

A serious injury can put you out of work for an extended time, and household bills and expenses do not stop coming just because you are hurt. We can help you secure the compensation you need to provide for yourself and your family while you heal. 

Our lawyers can recover your back pay and lost bonuses, tips, and earnings. We can also seek compensation for lost health and retirement benefits. Additionally, we can pursue compensation for future lost wages and lost earning capacity if you cannot return to work because of your injuries. 

 

Various Expenses

Our team will work to identify other expenses resulting from your bicycle accident, including the cost of fixing or replacing your damaged bicycle and personal property, accident-related travel expenses, the cost of household services you are unable to perform, and medically-necessary vehicle or home renovations. 

Additionally, in rare cases, personal injury awards may include punitive damages. According to  O.C.G.A. § 51-12-5.1, the court may award punitive damages when there is “clear and convincing evidence that the defendant’s actions showed willful misconduct, malice, fraud, wantonness, [or] oppression…” Our lawyers can tell you more about whether punitive damages apply in your case. 

 

Pain and Suffering Damages

Pain and suffering damages, also called noneconomic damages, compensate victims for quality of life reductions caused by their injury. You may be entitled to monetary awards for:

• Severe physical pain
• Loss of mobility
• Permanent and disabling injuries
• Reduced mental capacity
• Scarring
• Disfigurement
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Emotional suffering
• Inability to participate in hobbies and activities you once enjoyed
• Loss of enjoyment of life

 

Wrongful Death Compensation

The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) reports that 32 bicyclists died in motor vehicle collisions in Georgia in 2020. If your loved one sustained a fatal injury, our bicycle accident attorneys can help you recover compensation on behalf of their estate and surviving family members. 

Under O.C.G.A. § 51-4-2, only the deceased’s surviving spouse, children, or parents (in that order) can pursue wrongful death damages. If there are no eligible family members, the deceased’s personal representative can file suit on behalf of the next of kin. Damages may include:

• Medical expenses
• Funeral and burial costs
• The deceased’s lost wages, benefits, and services (including financial support they would have provided had they lived)
• Loss of the deceased’s care, advice, counsel, and companionship
• Any other necessary expenses arising from the deceased’s fatal injury and death

 

Our Attorneys Have Won Millions of Dollars for Personal Injury Clients

Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo, LLC., will fight for the highest possible settlement or verdict available to you and your family. We will not back down from taking your case to trial if that’s what it takes to get the money you deserve. Our case results include multi-million dollar awards, including a $1 million settlement for a bicyclist who suffered injuries in a rear-end collision. 

Furthermore, we strive to provide every client with compassionate, professional, and personalized legal services. Our team will listen to your concerns, answer your questions, and keep you updated on case developments. We can even meet you at your home or the hospital. Throughout our time working together, we want you to feel heard, understood, and supported. 

 

How Can Our Lawyers Help With Your Bicycle Accident Case?

Our firm has helped thousands of personal injury victims, so we understand how an accident can upend your life. We do not want seeking compensation for your bicycle collision to become a burden on you or your loved ones. Our team will use their case experience and knowledge of state and federal laws to build your case and fight for fair compensation. We will:

• Investigate your accident
• Collect case evidence
• Pinpoint liability 
• Identify and calculate your damages
• Draft and file your insurance claims
• Represent you during meetings and appearances (when possible)
• Handle phone calls and emails from insurance agents and opposing lawyers
• Aggressively negotiate for the maximum amount of compensation available
• Prepare and file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit if necessary

Our commitment to service is clear from our numerous positive reviews. Just read what previous clients have to say about our firm:

• “They were a big help to me and worked fast to get me what I deserved. I would recommend them to anyone who has been in any kind of accident.” -Betty Rubio
• “The attorneys and staff handled my case with a caring attitude. Their team is very organized and always calling me with updates. I appreciate their professionalism.” -Ebony Hughes
• “The experience was wonderful. They communicated very well and got the job done. I would recommend them to anyone.” -Teresa Graham

 

Is There Anything You Can Do to Assist With Your Claim?

In general, we want you to leave your insurance and legal issues to us while you focus on your health and your family. However, there are a few simple “do’s and don’ts” that may improve your chances of securing a settlement or verdict:

• Do

• • See a doctor right away (if you have not done so already)
  • Follow your doctor’s orders and do not miss medical appointments
  • Save bills, receipts, pay stubs, and any other proof of your financial losses
  • Keep your lawyer informed of any changes to your medical care, work situation, address, email, or phone number
  • Keep a daily record chronicling your physical pain, mental and emotional state, and ways your injury interferes with your life (this may help with your pain and suffering claims)

• Don’t

• • Agree to a settlement offer or sign paperwork without consulting your lawyer
  • Agree to give a recorded statement to the insurance company
  • Give the insurance company details about your accident or injuries
  • Admit fault for your bicycle accident
  • Post about your accident or injuries on social media
  • Discuss your accident or injuries with anyone other than your lawyer and healthcare providers

 

Act Before Georgia’s Statute of Limitations Expires

You must pursue your bicycle accident case before the statute of limitations expires. You have up to two years from the time of your accident or your loved one’s death to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, according to O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. 

You must meet this deadline to avoid the court barring your case or the insurance company reducing or denying your settlement. 

Acting quickly on your case after an accident also allows your lawyer to speak with witnesses while their account is fresh in mind and preserve physical evidence before it deteriorates or disappears. Our bicycle accident lawyers in Georgia can get to work as soon as you reach out. 

 

Georgia Drivers Have a Legal Duty to Exercise Caution Around Bicyclists

Drivers in Georgia have a legal duty to share the road with bicyclists. According to the GOHS, the law classifies bicycles as motor vehicles and affords them the same rights and responsibilities. This means that motorists must exercise the same (or higher) degree of caution around cyclists, follow the rules of the road, and interact with bicycles as they would cars. 

The following actions violate Georgia’s Uniform Rules of the Road (O.C.G.A Title 40 – Motor Vehicles and Traffic; Chapter 6) and may constitute negligence in an accident:

• Distracted driving
• Drunk driving
• Speeding
• Following or passing a bicycle too closely (must allow 3 feet of space according to O.C.G.A. § 40-6-56)
• Making an improper turn
• Failing to yield the right of way
• Driving in a designated bicycle lane
• Failing to stop at a marked intersection or crosswalk

Additionally, several other risk factors may increase the likelihood of a bicycle accident, including:

• A rider’s age. The AAFP reports that children ages 9 to 15 have the highest rate of bicycle accidents.

• A rider’s sex. The majority of bicycle injury victims are male. 

• Date and time. Bicycle accidents occur more often in summer and in the late afternoon/early evening. 

• Urban environment. According to the GOHS, nearly half of all bicycle accidents in Georgia occur in the state’s five largest cities. 

 

Our Lawyers Will Establish Liability for Your Bicycle Accident

Whatever the cause of your crash, our Georgia bicycle accident lawyers will work to get to the bottom of it and prove another party is liable. In most cases, fault will rest with a negligent driver. However, depending on the circumstances of your collision, other potentially liable parties may include:

• Another bicyclist
• A negligent pedestrian
• A driver’s employer
• A negligent bicycle, car, or auto parts manufacturer
• The owner of the roadway where your accident occurred

Our team will build your case using evidence, which may include:

• Medical records and expert medical opinions
• Photographs of your injury 
• Photographs of the scene of your accident
• Eyewitness accounts
• Surveillance, cell phone, or dashcam footage
• Police reports
• Testimony from vocational experts, economists, crash reconstruction specialists, and other experts

You do not have to stand up to insurance companies and opposing attorneys alone. Let us fight for you and protect your rights. 

 

Reach Out to  Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo, LLC.

Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo, LLC., can help you get started down the road to financial recovery today. Contact us 24/7 or call (800) 313-2546 for a free consultation. A member of our team is standing by to answer your questions and connect you with a Georgia bicycle accident lawyer who can take your case on contingency. You have nothing to lose but may have everything to gain.