Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle wrongful deaths accounted for 2 percent of all traffic fatalities, and cyclists made up 2 percent of all the people injured in auto accidents during the year. In 2002, 662 riders were killed in bicycle accidents and an additional 48,000 were injured in bike accidents. During that year, bicycle riders accounted for 12 percent of all nonmotorist traffic deaths. More than 47,000 riders have died in auto accidents in the United States since 1932. These statistics are from the National Center of Statistics and Analysis. However, a person only needs to speak with an experienced cyclist to understand the risks faced by a bicycle involved in an auto accident. If you wish to discuss your claim with an Georgia lawyer handling bicycle accidents involving automobiles or trucks without any charge or obligation, click here.

Unfortunately, bicycle accidents regularly occur because automobile drivers are not vigilant in maintaining a lookout for cyclists. This is despite the many safety precautions taken by cyclists when riding. As the above statistics indicate, in an accident between a bicycle and automobile, the bicycle generally loses the battle. Unfortunately, these types of collisions are all too common on our roads today. The investigation of these accidents is made more complicated by the inherent bias that often exists with members of law enforcement and the public against cyclists.

The severe, debilitating and permanent injuries that arise from bicycle accidents with automobiles and trucks result in significant financial losses to the individuals involved and their families. However, the law provides an injured person with the right to recover his or her damages from the responsible party. Such damages include, but may not be limited to, medical expenses, lost wages, funeral expenses and other economic losses. Individuals are also entitled to recover for the pain and suffering caused by their injuries and treatment. The spouse of the injured person is entitled to recover for the loss of the services of his or her spouse. Although a monetary recovery can never repair the damage that is done to the individual, it can at least ease the financial burdens created by injuries sustained in a bike accident.

The insurance company for the automobile or truck will start an investigation of the bicycle accident immediately. The insurance company will try to minimize the amount recovered by the injured bicycle rider as much as possible. Accordingly, these companies have established very specific and elaborate resources and strategies to handle bicycle accident claims, especially in the early stages of the claim.

During this time the insurance company will take recorded statements from the persons involved in the bicycle accident, have the bicycle and auto examined, have photographs taken, obtain the police report and try to establish the extent of the injuries suffered in the bicycle accident. The insurance company is usually able to accomplish all of these items within the first week after the bicycle accident and many of them within the first 24 hours after the accident between the bicycle and auto or truck. If you wish to discuss your claim with an Georgia lawyer handling bicycle accidents involving automobiles or trucks without any charge or obligation, click here.

The approach or tactics of insurance companies vary; however, many insurance companies try to reach a quick settlement with an injured bicycle rider. Their purpose is to avoid responsibility for future medical expenses, lost wages and other damages that are likely to develop. This is a trap that an injured bicycle rider needs to avoid. When a person is injured in a bicycle accident, it very often takes months to completely assess the person’s injuries. At that point, the person may need surgery or other extensive treatment.

The injuries may leave the person permanently disabled even after corrective surgery. Therefore, the true value of a claim from a bicycle accident can only be assessed after a physician has established a firm prognosis. The State of Georgia provides in most, but not all cases, a two-year period of time in which to file a lawsuit on a personal injury claim arising from a bicycle accident. Accordingly, there is no need to rush to a settlement with the insurance company for the auto or truck. You will only regret the settlement later when your injuries have become progressively worse.

There are other significant issues that develop for persons injured in a bicycle accident with a car or truck. For instance, if your health insurance company pays for your medical bills they will very often seek reimbursement from your settlement with the insurance company or company for the auto or truck. There are significant limitations on their right to obtain such reimbursement.

Likewise, if you were on the job when the bicycle accident occurred, the worker’s compensation insurance company will try to obtain reimbursement of their payments for medical expenses and lost wages. Again, there are significant limitations on their right to receive reimbursement. These are important issues that you need to understand prior to agreeing to any settlement with the insurance company for the auto or truck. If you wish to discuss your claim with an Georgia lawyer handling bicycle accidents involving automobiles or trucks without any charge or obligation, click here.

In the State of Georgia, individuals are required to maintain liability insurance coverage for auto accidents. The minimum requirements for bodily injury liability insurance coverage in Georgia are $25,000.00 per person and $50,000.00 per accident. Since these insurance limits may be insufficient to cover the claim of an injured person, very often the injured person must explore what other insurance is available to the responsible driver or the extent of the driver’s personal assets.

The responsible driver may have the right to coverage from insurance policies of family members, an employer, a rental car company or from an “umbrella” policy. In addition, other unknown persons or entities may also have liability for the collision. For instance, if the road or a light was defective, a government agency may share responsibility for the collision. Further, your own insurance policy may provide you with additional coverage for your injuries from a bike accident involving an auto or truck.

Determining the appropriate value of a claim for personal injury from a bike accident involving an auto or truck is complicated. It involves evaluating the nature and extent of the injury, the economic losses that are recoverable, and the liability issues related to the bicycle accident. The location where a trial would take place and any prior injuries suffered by the claimant are issues that are also factored into any evaluation of a personal injury claim stemming from a bicycle accident.

Insurance companies for the auto or truck have vast experience in evaluating personal injury claims from bike accidents and will seek to settle your claim for as low as possible. Therefore, it is important to have an experienced attorney or lawyer on your side to deal with the insurance company on your behalf. Generally, it is best to retain an Georgia bicycle accident lawyer or attorney who regularly handles personal injury claims involving bicycles. Your attorney or lawyer must be prepared to institute litigation on your behalf if the insurance company is unwilling to settle your claim for a fair value.

If you wish to discuss your claim with a Georgia lawyer handling bicycle accidents involving automobiles or trucks without any charge or obligation, click here.