Bicyclists choose to join motorists on the road for a variety of reasons. Some are doing it to protect the environment or avoid high fuel costs. Others are fitting in some exercise as they go about their day or are avoiding sitting in traffic. No matter the reason, Georgia bicyclists are at risk of serious injury if they are involved in a Georgia bicycle crash.
The latest numbers from the Georgia Department of Transportation* (GDOT) indicate that in the first half of the past decade, more than 5,000 people were hurt and more than 100 killed in Georgia bicycle accidents.
When Bicyclists Cause Crashes
Just as there are many reasons for riding a bike, there are many potential causes of accident. The GDOT has identified three major errors that bicyclists make that lead to bicycle accidents*. Specifically, the bike accidents that are caused by bicyclists, rather than motorists, in Georgia are most often caused when the bicyclist fails to yield, drives on the wrong side of the road, or fails to stop at a stop sign. These potentially fatal errors can be prevented by bicyclists who take care to follow all the rules of the road and remain alert to the dangers of the road.
When Motorists Cause Crashes
Often, it is the errors of motorists that cause Georgia bicycle accidents. When a motorist fails to exercise reasonable care and hurts a bicyclist as a result, then the results can be catastrophic.
If you have been hurt by a car, truck, or motorcycle driver, then you may be entitled to damages. Contact an experienced Atlanta bike lawyer today for a free consultation about your case. The Atlanta bicycle accident lawyers of The Dover Law Firm can be reached at 770.518.1133 or via our online contact form.
*Source: Georgia Department of Transportation, Crash Analysis, Statistics and Information Handbook, January 2008