Johns Creek Bicycle Accident Lawyer
When a bicyclist is involved in a wreck with a motor vehicle, the cyclist is especially likely to suffer debilitating or lethal injuries. If you were riding your bike and were struck by a negligent driver, a Johns Creek bicycle accident lawyer could look into the matter and advise you on whether legal recourse may be available. A personal injury attorney from our firm could help you build a compelling case for compensation to offset your losses after an accident.
Potential Causes of Biking Collisions
Drivers must apply the same reasonable care toward bicyclists that they owe to other motorists when traveling on public roadways. It follows that a driver who does not use reasonable care when operating their vehicle could be held civilly liable for a subsequent biking accident.
Reckless driving, careless driving, aggressive driving, speeding, and talking on the phone while driving are all common causes of bicycle collisions. Bicycle crashes may also be caused by drunk driving, inattentive driving, and failure to obey traffic signs and signals.
Given that bicyclists have very little protection from the roadway other than a helmet, they are extremely vulnerable to catastrophic injuries in the event of a motor vehicle collision. Bicycle accident injuries may include:
- Organ damage;
- Paralysis;
- Traumatic brain injuries;
- Loss of a limb;
- Internal bleeding; and
- Road rash.
Claiming Monetary Losses after a Bicycle Crash
The devastating injuries that often result from bicycle crashes can cause someone to suffer significant monetary and personal damages. A Johns Creek bicycle collision attorney could help the injured party pursue monetary compensation for their physical, emotional, and financial losses.
These recoverable damages could include:
- Wage loss;
- Hospital bills;
- Medication expenses;
- Surgery costs; and
- Physical therapy bills.
A person could also collect compensation for more abstract losses such as pain and suffering, diminished earning capacity, emotional distress, loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, disability, and disfigurement. A lawyer in Johns Creek could help measure the value of a claimant’s losses after a bicycle crash to pursue maximum compensation on their behalf.
Determining Liability for a Bike Wreck
An injured claimant must be able to establish the at-fault party’s negligence in order to recover compensation. A driver may be found liable for the injured bicyclist’s damages if they owed them a duty of care, breached that duty, and thereby caused their injuries.
If the injured bicyclist and the driver share responsibility for the collision, the claimant may still receive compensation as long as they are less than 50 percent liable. For example, a cyclist who neglected to wear a helmet or who failed to use a bike lane could be found partially liable for their own injuries. However, the court would diminish their recoverable compensation in proportion to their assigned percentage of the blame.
Contact a Johns Creek Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today
If you believe that a careless driver could be liable for your injuries, you should consult with a Johns Creek bicycle accident lawyer as soon as possible. An experienced attorney from our team could offer sound legal counsel regarding the most appropriate next steps for your case. Schedule your consultation today.
