Auburn Bicycle Accident Attorneys

Because many of our Auburn bicycle accident attorneys at Montlick and Associates are cycling enthusiasts, we recognize that Auburn and the surrounding areas of Georgia can be particularly inhospitable to bicyclists. From motorists jabbering away on a cell phone to unrestrained dogs chasing after cyclists, the risk of a cyclist being involved in a serious cycling accident is substantial. These risks are compounded by the negative attitude that many drivers have toward bicycle riders and the susceptibility of bicyclists to accidents caused by potholes in poorly maintained streets.

The Exposure of Auburn Cyclists to Serious Bicycle Accidents

When riding a bicycle on the streets of Auburn, a bicyclist lacks the structural protection of a passenger vehicle. A bicyclist has essentially no more protection than a pedestrian so when a cyclist is hit by a driver the result often is serious debilitating injuries. While a motorcyclist also has no protection, a motorcycle has the power and speed to move out of the path of an inattentive driver. A bicycle does not move at a high enough rate of speed to give a bicyclist much chance of avoiding an impending collision even if the rider detects a potential collision before it happens. The small size of a bicycle also makes it more likely to be unnoticed by a driver and more likely to be present in places that a driver may not be looking.

The limited ability of a bicyclist to evade a motor vehicle driven by a driver who is distracted when changing lanes or swerving because the driver is intoxicated is made all the more dangerous because of the complete lack of protection for cyclists. While the risk of head injuries resulting in traumatic brain injury can be reduced by wearing a helmet, helmet use is only mandatory in Georgia for riders that are age 15 or younger. Older riders that elect not to wear a bicycle helmet face an extremely high risk of head injuries when they are involved in a collision with a motor vehicle. The decision not to wear a bicycle helmet is particularly significant because 33 percent of injury victims treated in emergency rooms for cycling accident-related injuries are diagnosed with a head injury. Wearing a helmet when cycling can prevent traumatic brain injury, coma, concussions, and loss of memory.

Serious injuries like traumatic brain injuries can result in permanent loss of physical functioning, capacity for speech, cognitive skills, memory, mobility, and other serious effects that can seriously impair one’s ability to fully enjoy life. These types of serious injuries may also result in astronomical medical bills that can leave a family on the brink of bankruptcy. Our experienced Auburn bicycle accident attorneys at Montlick and Associates recognize these hardships and work diligently to obtain a full monetary recovery so that our clients can provide for their family, obtain the best possible medical care, and maintain the highest quality of life given their injuries.

What Causes Auburn Bicycle Accidents?

When a cyclist is traveling the streets of Auburn and the surrounding areas of Georgia, the rider must comply with the same traffic rules that apply to other motor vehicles. Cyclists also are entitled to the same courtesy and protections extended to drivers of cars, trucks and SUVs. Right of way rules are among the most important of these traffic safety rules because they provide for the orderly coordination of passenger vehicles, bicycles, and pedestrians when they are in close proximity and must cross paths. When drivers of passenger vehicles fail to obey traffic laws or drive while drunk, tired, or distracted, serious cycling accidents are common. While there are many forms of unsafe driving or other forms of negligence that can contribute to an Auburn cycling accident, some of the most common include:

Drivers who are fatigued or tired when driving
Dogs that are unleashed or otherwise not under the control of their owner
Poor roadway maintenance resulting in pot holes and other roadway defects
Failure of drivers to carefully check to make sure it is safe to change lanes
Drivers texting, talking, web surfing or otherwise distracted by mobile phones
Drug or alcohol impairment
Bicycles designed or manufactured with defects
Drivers who open their door without checking for bicycle riders
Disregarding red lights or stop and yield signs
Drivers that do not allow a reasonable buffer when passing a cyclist

Be aware of your legal rights! If you have been injured in a bicycle accident because of the failure of a driver on the roadways of Auburn to engage in prudent driving practices, you may be eligible for financial compensation. Call now for a FREE CONSULTATION with Montlick and Associates' experienced Auburn bicycle accident attorneys. Our attorneys are available to help you and may even visit you if needed. You can call us anytime 24/7 at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333) for a FREE CONSULTATION. Alternatively, you can visit our website at www.montlick.com to make use of our FREE CASE EVALUATION FORM or 24-hour live online chat service.