College Park Bicycle Accident

Riding a bicycle around Cowart Lake or through the College Park Historic District is a relaxing way to get healthy exercise, get out in the fresh air, and relax. Unfortunately, bicycles offer a lot less protection than cars in the event of an accident, and when a car strikes a bicycle, the results are often devastating for the bicyclist.

If you’ve been injured in a bicycle accident in College Park, Georgia, you need the help of a lawyer who has experience with this type of case. Kaufman Injury Law is a personal injury law firm serving the College Park area, with extensive experience in bicycle accident cases.

Chris K., a client who was struck by a truck while riding his bike in Georgia, praises Kaufman Injury Law for knowing how to manage his stress and protecting his rights from day one while also winning him a substantial award for medical expenses and pain and suffering.

Our clients agree. Kaufman Injury Law excels at helping accident victims make themselves whole again. Contact Kaufman Injury Law today for your free consultation.

Bicycle Accidents in Georgia

According to the Georgia Bicycle Safety Accident Plan, almost 77% of bicycle crashes result in injury, and 1.4% are fatal.

Common injuries in bicycle accidents include:

• Concussion and other traumatic brain injuries
• Spinal cord injuries
• Fractures and broken bones
• Road rash
• Soft tissue injuries
• Internal injuries

Some bicycle accident injuries are relatively minor and will heal in a matter of days or weeks. Others, such as traumatic brain injuries and spinal cord injuries, can be life-changing for the injured person. If you’ve been severely hurt in a bike accident in Georgia, you need the help of a skilled personal injury lawyer.  

Georgia’s Comparative Negligence Statute

If you’re hurt in a bike accident in College Park, Georgia, the compensation you can receive depends on whether your actions contributed to the accident. Under Georgia’s comparative negligence law (GA Code § 51-12-33), you cannot collect compensation if you were 50% or more responsible for the accident. If you were less than 50% at fault for the accident, you can collect compensation for your losses, but the court will reduce the compensation in proportion to your percentage of fault.

According to the Georgia Bicycle Safety Accident Plan, courts assign at least some fault to the bicyclist 51% of the time.

What does this mean for you? It means you must prove that the accident was the driver’s fault rather than yours, or at least it was more the driver’s fault than yours. The driver’s insurance company won’t want to admit this because it would increase the amount they need to pay to settle the case. Therefore, the insurance company will probably argue that the accident was either all your fault or partially your fault.

If the case goes to trial and a court agrees with the insurance company, you could lose some or all the compensation you need to pay for your medical expenses and lost wages due to the accident. That’s why it’s essential to have the help of a skilled bicycle accident lawyer. Your lawyer can help demonstrate that the accident was entirely or primarily the driver’s fault, compelling the insurance company to pay a more significant settlement.

How Much Is My Bike Accident Case Worth?

Compensation for a bicycle accident in Georgia can include:

• Medical expenses of all kinds, including rehabilitation and nursing care
• Lost income, including wages lost from time off work and lost future earning potential
• Pain and suffering caused by your injuries
• Loss of enjoyment of life

There is no way to know how much your bike accident is worth ahead of time because it depends on how severe your injuries are, how expensive your medical treatment is, and how much income you’ve lost due to the accident.

It also depends on how much insurance the at-fault party carries. It is possible to go after the other driver’s personal assets as well as their insurance, but that depends on the case. The liable party isn’t always another driver. If your accident was caused by road conditions, the municipality responsible for the road may be liable.

Steps to Take After a College Park Bicycle Accident

If you’ve been hurt in a bike accident in College Park, Georgia, here are the steps to take:

• Call 911, report the accident, and file a report with the responding police officer
• Get the driver’s contact information, insurance information, and license plate number
• If possible, take photos of the accident scene, the damage to your bicycle, and any visible injuries
• Get medical attention at the emergency room or from your own doctor, even if you think your injuries are relatively minor
• Contact a College Park bicycle accident lawyer

Wrongful Death Cases in College Park, Georgia

If a loved one died in a bicycle accident in College Park, Georgia, you may be able to file a wrongful death suit if you are:

• The surviving spouse
• A parent or child of the deceased

Georgia law (GA Code Title 51 Chapter 4) specifies that the surviving spouse must receive at least one-third of any compensation in a wrongful death suit. As long as this minimum is met, compensation is divided evenly between the surviving spouse and any children.

What Is the Statute of Limitations in a Georgia Bicycle Accident?

You only have a limited amount of time in which to file a personal injury or wrongful death claim after a bicycle accident in College Park, Georgia. The Georgia statute of limitations (GA Code § 9-3-33) gives you two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit. However, the statute of limitations extends this to four years for loss of consortium cases.

Two years is not a short time, but it may be shorter than you think. Personal injury cases take time, and there are many things your lawyer needs to do before they can file. The sooner you contact a bicycle accident lawyer in College Park, Georgia, the more time they will have to investigate the accident and negotiate with the insurance company before they have to file a lawsuit.

Contact a College Park Bicycle Accident Lawyer Today

Kaufman Injury Law is a personal injury firm serving College Park, Georgia. We specialize in helping our clients deal with the unexpected. When your life is turned upside down by a sudden bicycle accident, contact Kaufman Injury Law immediately to get the help you need.

Directions to Our Office

You can use the following directions to reach our office at 12 Beck St NW in Atlanta.

From the North:

• Take I-75 South towards Atlanta
• Take exit 252A for Northside Dr
• Turn left onto Northside Dr NW
• Turn left onto Collier Rd
• Turn left onto Howell Mill Rd
• Turn left onto Beck St NW
• Destination will be on your left

From the South:

• Take I-75/I-85 North (Downtown Connector)
• Take exit 252A for Northside Dr
• Turn right onto Northside Dr NW
• Turn left onto Collier Rd
• Turn left onto Howell Mill Rd
• Turn left onto Beck St NW
• Destination will be on your left

From the East:

• Take I-20 West towards Atlanta
• Exit onto I-75/I-85 North (Downtown Connector)
• Take exit 252A for Northside Dr
• Turn right onto Northside Dr NW
• Turn left onto Collier Rd
• Turn left onto Howell Mill Rd
• Turn left onto Beck St NW
• Destination will be on your left

From the West:

• Take I-20 East towards Atlanta
• Exit onto I-75/I-85 North (Downtown Connector)
• Take exit 252A for Northside Dr
• Turn right onto Northside Dr NW
• Turn left onto Collier Rd
• Turn left onto Howell Mill Rd
• Turn left onto Beck St NW
• Destination will be on your left