Covington Bicycle Accident Attorneys

In Covington, riding your bicycle down Martin Street to head toward Chimney Park can be a great way of getting some exercise and fresh air. Unfortunately, any time a cyclist gets on the road, they can face several dangers — especially from motorists. 

This is an issue throughout the country, though, with nationwide preventable bicycle deaths having increased to 1,360 in 2022 alone. Besides fatalities, there are thousands of cyclists each year who suffer injuries that range from mild to catastrophic. If you’re one of these cyclists, an option you have in Georgia is to file a personal injury claim to get compensation. 

The skilled team of Covington bicycle accident lawyers at Kaufman Injury Law represents cyclists who have suffered injuries in collisions as a result of another party’s negligent or wrongful conduct. Contact us to find out how we can help you file a personal injury claim to seek the compensation you deserve.

Georgia Traffic Accident Laws: What You Need to Know

Georgia follows a fault-based system when it comes to collisions. This system requires that the party who holds the responsibility for the accident must pay for the other party’s losses. 

This doesn’t mean that you can’t recover damages if you were partly responsible for the accident, however. Under Georgia’s modified comparative negligence laws, you can get compensation as long as you don’t hold more than 49% of the fault for the accident. Your winnings will be reduced in proportion to the amount of fault you’re assigned. 

In the majority of cases, you have two years from the day of the accident to file a claim. You should never wait until the last minute, however, because there could be exceptions that shorten the length of time you’re given. If you miss the deadline, you won’t be able to recover anything. 

Our bicycle accident lawyers can evaluate the details of your accident to accurately determine fault and ensure you don’t miss any relevant deadlines.

Requirements for Proving Negligence in Covington

Most bicycle accidents are the result of driver errors, which requires proving negligence in a car accident claim. To do so, you first need to show that they owed you a duty of care. 

If the person was behind the wheel of a vehicle, duty of care is already established because everyone has a responsibility, by law, to drive safely to keep others safe. You will have to demonstrate that they breached their responsibility toward you and that you suffered injuries for which you can be compensated because of that breach. 

For example, suppose that you were riding your bicycle down Church Street, and a car swerved into your lane because the driver was intoxicated. If you suffered a broken rib as a result, you may wonder whether you have a claim.

This example meets the negligence requirements because the driver owed you a duty of care that they breached by breaking the law and driving while intoxicated. You also sustained injuries for which you can receive compensation. 

Proving negligence is a complex but vital process. Our attorneys can help gather the evidence you need to support your claim and use it to craft an effective strategy.

Steps to Take After a Bicycle Accident in Covington

Knowing what to do after a bicycle accident is crucial not only to ensure that you’re safe, but also to improve your chances of getting fair compensation. 

Check for Injuries

The shock of being in an accident can make it more difficult to notice whether you’ve sustained injuries, so you want to take a moment and assess yourself immediately after a crash. Are you bleeding? Have you hit your head? Are you in pain? If the answer is yes to any of these questions, you need to call emergency services. 

However, it’s a good idea to call for medical assistance even if you don’t believe you are injured, as not all injuries are obvious. This step can also begin a record of the injuries you sustained. 

Wait for the Police

In Georgia, you and the other party need to wait for the police to arrive so that there’s a formal report of the accident. As you wait, don’t speak with the motorist except to exchange information. Don’t admit fault to them or the police. 

Gather Evidence

Unless you need to get medical care at a hospital, you want to get evidence from the scene. This means taking plenty of pictures of the damage to your bicycle and the other vehicle, as well as any signs on the road. If there are skid marks or debris, make sure to document it. 

Were there eyewitnesses? Get their information as well so that you can contact them for their testimony. You may also want to jot down what happened with as many details as you can so that you have a contemporaneous record you can rely on later. People assume they’ll remember everything, but shock can make recalling details tough.

Contact Our Personal Injury Lawyers

One of the most important steps you can take after a bicycle accident is to contact our team at Kaufman Injury Law. Once you hire us, we can get to work on your claim immediately so that there are no delays in filing your claim. The sooner the process starts, the sooner you can receive compensation. 

Available Damages After a Covington Bicycle Accident

When you file a personal injury claim, you have the chance to receive compensatory damages. These include both economic and non-economic damages.

Economic Damages: Compensation for Financial Losses

Economic damages allow you to get compensation for quantifiable losses. A major part of these are medical expenses, including hospital bills, rehabilitation sessions, and even the purchase of mobility devices like wheelchairs. If you need ongoing care, economic damages will include those future costs, too. 

After suffering injuries in a bicycle accident, you may not be able to work. This results in missing out on bonuses, commissions, and salaries. By claiming lost wages, you can receive compensation for any income you would have received if the accident hadn’t occurred. 

If the accident resulted in injuries severe enough to prevent you from returning to work in the same capacity or at all, you may also claim loss of earning potential. Loss of earning potential will compensate you for what you would have made throughout your working life. We can ensure your claim pursues every dollar you are entitled to.

Non-Economic Damages: Compensation for Non-Financial Losses

Not all losses you can suffer in a bicycle accident are financial. Non-economic damages compensate you for the distress you’ve experienced as a result of the accident, as well as for the loss of enjoyment of life when you’ve suffered injuries that prevent you from living as you used to. 

Another type of non-economic loss is loss of consortium. Loss of consortium compensates you for the loss of support and companionship you experience if a loved one dies in an accident.

Trust Our Skilled Covington Bicycle Accident Attorneys

Bicycle accidents can leave you with significant injuries in Covington. If the collision occurred because the other party was negligent, then you could be eligible to file a personal injury claim for compensation — and the right representation can make all the difference in the success of that claim.

At Kaufman Injury Law, our team of Covington bicycle accident lawyers can aggressively negotiate with insurers to pursue the compensation you need to move forward. We can also advocate for you in court if necessary. Schedule a free consultation to speak with one of our personal injury lawyers today.