Thousands of people in the Atlanta area ride their bicycles every day. Bicycles offer a form of transportation as well as an enjoyable type of exercise. As in most metropolitan areas, Atlanta bicyclists will often ride in close proximity to cars and trucks, creating the significant risk of accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 17 Georgia bicyclists perished in traffic accidents in 2012, making Georgia the 11th most dangerous state for bicyclists in the country.

Bicycle accidents across Georgia in recent years have raised concerns as to cyclist safety. Last year, a bicyclist in Atlanta was rammed and then dragged 50 feet by a hit and run driver. He survived, but suffered severe injuries in the accident. Many believe that additional steps need to be taken to protect bicyclists across Atlanta and beyond. While some bike lanes have popped up in the past few years, many feel they are not enough.

Careless Actions Can Entitle Bicycle Accident Victims to Financial Recovery

Cars and trucks often weigh thousands of pounds and hold the potential to inflict serious injury if they collide with other vehicles, bicyclists, or pedestrians. Motorists have a duty to operate their vehicles safely and in a manner so as not to pose a threat to other road users. In many cases, careless behavior will result in legal negligence, which means that anyone injured by a negligent driver should be entitled to compensation for their damages incurred in the accident. Some examples of driver negligence that lead to bicycle accidents include, but are not limited to:

  • Distracted driving: Drivers distracted due to texting, reading, talking to passengers, playing with the radio, or daydreaming can cause serious accidents. Distracted drivers who are not paying attention to the road ahead can turn in to bicyclists, drift into the bike lane, or otherwise cause accidents.
  • Speeding: Drivers who speed put others at risk. Whether a driver is speeding due to running late, not paying attention, or for the thrill of it, there is no excuse for violating the law. Speeding drivers who collide with a bicyclist should be held accountable for their actions.
  • Driving under the influence: Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol is a serious issue across Georgia and the rest of the United States. When drunk drivers hit bicyclists, the victims can be entitled to compensation which could include punitive damages.
  • Failure to observe traffic regulations: Drivers must observe all rules of the road. If a driver violates a traffic regulation, resulting in injury to a bicyclist, he or she can be held accountable.

Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law: Put Our Over 39 Years of Experience to Work on Your Case!

If you injured in a bicycling accident or any other sort of accident involving negligence, contact the Georgia Personal Injury Attorneys at Montlick and Associates, Attorneys at Law. Our firm assists injured accident victims across Georgia and in the Southeast and we bring over 39 years of experience to your personal injury case, always striving to provide you with the exceptional representation you need to obtain the best possible outcome. The sooner you act after your injury, the greater your chances of obtaining a full recovery. As such, it is important that you seek the assistance of a licensed lawyer as soon as possible. Call Montlick & Associates, Attorneys at Law, 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED® (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.

Source:
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/atlanta-cyclist-still-critical-atlanta-still-not-s/ngPt6/

http://www-nrd.nhtsa.dot.gov/Pubs/812018.pdf