Bicycle Accident Attorney in Athens, GA

No one should have their life turned upside down by an injury they did not cause. If a negligent driver hurt you or your loved one in a bicycle accident, Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo, LLC., can help you recover compensation.

Our bicycle accident attorneys in Athens, GA, can pursue awards for your medical expenses, lost income, pain, suffering, and more. We will fight to ensure you have the financial resources you need so that you and your loved ones do not pay out of pocket. If you’re ready to explore your legal options with our team members, you can reach out to us now.

 

Bicycle Accidents Injure Thousands Every Year

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that more than 130,000 bicyclists suffer crash injuries annually on U.S. roadways. Additionally, about 1,000 riders sustain fatal injuries each year. 

Cars are heavier and travel at faster speeds than bicycles. Therefore, a vehicle hitting a cyclist can result in severe physical harm. According to the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), common bicycle accident injuries include:

• Neck, back, and spinal cord injuries
• Sprains and dislocations
• Facial and dental injuries
• Broken limbs
• Rib and pelvic fractures
• Traumatic brain injuries (including skull fractures, concussions, and brain bleeds)
• Internal organ damage (including injuries to the lungs, bowels, spleen, and pancreas)
• Soft tissue injuries (cuts, bruising, lacerations, and “road rash”)

If you or your loved one suffered a bicycle accident injury on Oak Street, Winterville Road, or anywhere else in Athens because of a negligent driver, our lawyers will seek to hold them responsible. 

 

Our Athens, GA, Attorneys Will Seek Compensation for Your Damages

Our attorneys can recover your losses with an automobile liability insurance claim or seek compensation via a personal injury lawsuit. During our firm’s 25-plus-year history, we have achieved multimillion-dollar case results for previous clients, including a $1 million bicycle accident settlement. 

In general, we can identify, calculate, and pursue:

 

Economic Damages 

Economic damages are your current and future medical bills, lost income, and other out-of-pocket expenses from the accident. Compensation for economic damages may include:

• Ambulance transportation and emergency medical treatment
• Hospital stays
• Surgeries
• Prescription drugs, medical devices, and mobility aids
• Physical therapy and rehabilitation
• Long-term nursing or in-home health services
• Lifecare costs
• Lost income, earnings, and benefits
• Loss of future earnings or earning capacity (if your injuries prevent you from returning to work)
• Bicycle and personal property damages
• Household services

Our lawyers will use bills, receipts, pay stubs, and other proof of your expenses to establish that your injuries caused economic losses. We can also hire and consult with doctors, vocational experts, and economists to estimate a fair sum to pay for ongoing medical care and long-term damages.

 

Non-Economic Damages

Non-economic damages address intangible losses related to your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. Our Athens bicycle accident lawyers can seek monetary compensation for:

• Depression
• Anxiety
• Loss of ability to participate in hobbies and activities
• Loss of ability to achieve educational or career goals
• Scarring
• Disfigurement
• Severe and chronic physical pain
• Permanent and disabling injuries
• Reduced cognitive functioning
• Loss of mobility
• Reduced quality of life

Because these losses do not come with a price tag, economic compensation can be challenging to calculate. It may help to keep a daily diary detailing your mental health, pain levels, and ways you notice your injuries interfering with daily life. Our lawyers can use this, expert testimony, and other evidence to pursue awards for your pain and suffering. 

 

Wrongful Death Damages in an Athens Bicycle Accident

We help families pursue wrongful death compensation for loved ones who did not survive an accident. If your family member sustained a fatal bicycle accident injury in Georgia, we can help qualifying survivors recover awards, including:

• Medical bills 
• Funeral and burial expenses
• Lost income (including wages your loved one would have earned had they lived)
• Compensation for the loss of your loved one’s companionship, care, and advice

We know money cannot take away your grief, but it can protect your family’s financial stability. We are sorry for your loss, and it would be our honor to help you and your family seek justice. 

 

Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo, LLC., Puts Our Clients First

You are more than a case number to the Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo, LLC., team. We know that behind every claim or lawsuit are individuals who deserve help, support, and professional legal representation. 

When you turn your insurance or legal issue over to our team, you can rest assured we will work to secure the most advantageous resolution as quickly and efficiently as possible. Along the way, we will provide you with frequent and timely updates so that you always know your case’s status. 

When you hire us, our Athens bicycle accident attorneys will:

• Communicate with insurers, lawyers, and other involved parties on your behalf (saving you the hassle and protecting you from accidentally saying or doing something that could hurt your case)
• Prepare and file case paperwork, track deadlines, and handle case-related “red tape”
• Advocate for you during negotiations and make appearances for you when possible
• Collect case evidence, including medical records, police reports, and witness statements
• Represent you at trial if necessary

 

Can You Afford a Lawyer? 

We strive to provide compassionate, personalized service to every client, regardless of their financial situation. We take cases on contingency, meaning you owe nothing upfront or out of pocket, and we only collect a fee if we win your case. 

 

Get Started on Your Athens Bicycle Accident Case Before Time Runs Out

Under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, you have two years to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit in Georgia. Not meeting the deadline will likely result in a dismissed case or reduced/denied insurance claim. Our Athens bicycle accident lawyer can help you pursue your losses before time expires. 

 

Bicycle Accident Causes

According to the Athens-Clarke County Unified Government, the League of American Bicyclists has designed Athens and its surrounding area as a Bicycle Friendly Community. The county has nearly 20 miles of bike lanes and around 60 miles of marked shared road. 

However, whenever motorists and cyclists share the same streets, there is the potential for accidents, especially when drivers behave negligently or disobey the rules of the road. Actions that cause and contribute to bicycle accidents include:

• Intoxicated driving
• Distracted driving
• Speeding
• Tailgating or passing a cyclist too closely (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-56 requires drivers to give bicyclists at least 3 feet of space)
• Driving in a bicycle lane
• Failing to yield the right-of-way to a cyclist (Georgia law considers bicycles are vehicles, and they are afforded the same rights and privileges on state roadways, according to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.)
• Failing to stop at a marked intersection or crosswalk
• Improper turns
• Opening a parked car door or “dooring” an oncoming bicyclist

Bicycle riders must also follow state laws and take precautions to avoid accidents. For example, riders must equip their bikes with headlights when riding at night, keep to the right of the roadway (or ride in designated bike lanes when available), and not carry passengers their bike is not designed to hold. Additionally, riders under age 16 must wear a helmet, according to O.C.G.A. § 40-6-296. 

 

We Will Prove Another Party Is Liable for Your Crash

Our team will investigate your accident and prove a negligent driver is liable for the accident and related damages. In addition, if your crash involved defective bicycle or auto parts or roadway problems, we can explore your options for seeking compensation from a negligent manufacturer or roadway owner. 

Whoever or whatever caused your crash, you should not pay if your accident was not your fault. Our attorneys can protect your rights and stand by your side as we build your case and seek the awards you need to get back on your feet. 

 

Contact Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo, LLC., Today

Call Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo, LLC., at (800) 313-2546, or contact us 24/7 for a free consultation and connect with our bicycle accident attorney in Athens, GA.