404-636-4900 At Deming Parker, our personal injury lawyers understand the unique challenges faced by cyclists involved in accidents, and how their rights are often overlooked by irresponsible drivers. When unfortunate crashes occur, our team is committed to providing the legal support and guidance needed to receive the compensation and justice you deserve to recover.
How Our Lawyers Can Help You After a Bicycle Accident in Columbus
Compared to motor vehicle incidents, it’s typical for bicyclists to doubt if their rights were acknowledged while on the road, and they often don’t know who to attribute the accident to. If this is your case, our experienced attorneys are here to help with:
- Case evaluation: We begin with a comprehensive review of your case, assessing the details of the accident to determine the best course of action.
- Liability determination: Our team investigates to identify all parties potentially at fault, utilizing evidence to build a strong case on your behalf.
- Insurance negotiations: We handle all communications and negotiations with insurance companies, ensuring you receive fair compensation without the stress of facing insurers yourself.
- Legal representation: Should your case go to court, you’ll have skilled legal representation, with our attorneys advocating passionately for your rights and interests.
- Recovery of damages: We strive to recover the full range of damages you’re entitled to, from medical expenses and lost wages to compensation for pain and suffering.
Our goal is to alleviate the burden of the legal process and secure the maximum amount of compensation possible, allowing you to focus on your recovery. With Deming Parker, you have a team that treats your case with the seriousness and dedication it deserves.
What To Do Immediately After a Bike Accident?
As in any other accident on the roads, the steps you take immediately following a bicycle accident are crucial for your health and any subsequent legal claim. It’s often a critical error not to report the accident right away, which can compromise your case if you decide to seek compensation later.
To make sure this won’t happen to you, these are the steps we strongly suggest to follow after a bike accident:
- Seek medical attention: Prioritize your health. Even if injuries seem minor, some may not be immediately apparent.
- Report the accident: Contact local law enforcement to file a report. This document can be vital for your claim.
- Gather information: Collect contact and insurance information from all parties involved, as well as names and contact details of witnesses.
- Document the scene: Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, and any damage to your bicycle.
- Consult an attorney: Before speaking with insurance companies, consult with a bicycle accident lawyer at Deming Parker to understand your rights and options. We have extensive experience securing substantial settlements for our clients to cover all their expenses, and we want to do the same for you.
Elements Needed to Prove Negligence
To successfully claim compensation in a bicycle accident case, certain elements of negligence must be proven:
- Duty of care: Demonstrating that the defendant owed a duty of care to the cyclist.
- Breach of duty: Showing that the defendant breached that duty through action or inaction.
- Causation: Establishing a direct link between the breach of duty and the accident.
- Damages: Providing evidence of the injuries and losses sustained as a result of the accident.
Our team at Deming Parker specializes in piecing together these elements and building a compelling case on your behalf.
Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents in Columbus, GA
Unfortunately, bicycle accidents occur with alarming frequency, contributing to 2% of total traffic fatalities in the state. These incidents often result from a complex interplay of factors that can drastically change the lives of those involved. From our experience helping injured cyclists, we’ve identified many common negligent actions that contribute to these incidents, including:
- Distracted driving: Motorists not fully attentive to the road can easily overlook cyclists, leading to collisions.
- Failure to yield: Drivers failing to yield the right of way at intersections or when making turns are a significant hazard for bicyclists.
- Speeding: Excessive speed reduces a driver’s reaction time and increases the severity of accidents involving cyclists.
- Dooring: Accidents occur when a parked car’s door is suddenly opened in a cyclist’s path, leaving little to no time to avoid a collision.
- Poor road conditions: Potholes, debris, and poorly designed bike lanes can cause cyclists to lose control or veer into traffic.
- Car accidents: Direct collisions with vehicles, including sideswipes and rear-end accidents, remain a leading cause of bicycle accidents. Many regulations, such as Georgia Code § 40-6-56 (safe passing distance), apply to motorists who find themselves sharing the road with cyclists and are often overlooked by drivers.
Common Injuries in Bicycle Accidents
In our 50 years of experience, we have seen how bicycle accidents can result in many types of injuries, some of which can be life-threatening due to the physical vulnerability of cyclists. Here are some common injuries we have sustained in our clients’ personal injury claims:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Road rash
- Fractures
- Spinal cord injuries
- Internal injuries
- Wrongful death of a loved one in the worst accident cases
No matter the scope of your case, we’re here to thoroughly evaluate all harm from the accident and ensure you don’t accept less than what local laws say you deserve.
Why Choosing Our Lawyers to Represent You After a Bicycle Accident in Columbus
Choosing the right law firm to represent you after a bicycle accident is a decision that can significantly impact the outcome of your case. At our Columbus law firm, we offer a unique combination of local expertise, a deep understanding of Georgia’s bicycle and traffic laws, and a commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for our clients.
If you or a loved one has been injured, don’t hesitate to contact us for support and representation. We offer a free initial consultation to evaluate your case and advise you on the best pathway possible.
