(MENAFNEditorial)
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Cumming Georgia; March 23 2016 – On March 11 2016 a man was hospitalized[1] after he collided with a van while riding a bicycle along the side of Veterans Memorial Boulevard. The accident occurred at approximately 3:00 p.m. at the intersection with Industrial Park Drive as the van driver was preparing to turn right onto Veterans Boulevard. The driver of the vehicle had reportedly just pulled up to the stop sign when the bicycle struck the side of the vehicle. Witnesses said that the bicycle was traveling north along the sidewalk when the man pedaled into the van as it pulled forward. The impact was strong enough to shatter the windshield of the van and sent the bicycle rider over the hood and into the road. The bicyclist was not wearing a helmet and suffered head injuries.
Cumming GA Bicycle Accident Statistics
According to the [2] bicycle crashes in Georgia comprise less than a quarter of 1% of the overall traffic related crashes yet represent more than 5 times that percentage of the overall traffic fatalities. This points to the vulnerability of a bicyclist in a crash compared with motor vehicle drivers/passengers. Nationally Georgia ranks 8th among the states with the most bicycle fatalities. This is somewhat alarming considering that based on the 2000 Census journey to work data (the only exposure data available on bicycling) the Atlanta Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) has among the lowest rates of bicycling in the country.
Causes of Bicycle and
Some of the most common causes of bicycle accidents involving other vehicles include:
• Vehicles turning into bikes as they cross the street
• Automobiles illegally entering a bike lane
• Vehicle drivers making last minute turns into bike riders
• Automobile doors being opened in front of oncoming bicyclists
• Vehicle drivers not seeing bicycles on two lane roads.
Forsyth County Bicycle Laws
The Georgia Bicycle and Pedestrian Safety Plan prepared by the Georgia Department of Transportation provides that bicyclists are considered vehicles under Georgia Code and therefore have the same rights and responsibilities as motor vehicles. Bicyclists can ride in the middle or left part of a lane if the lane is too narrow to share with a motor vehicle. Georgia Code does not include a specific provision prohibiting bicycles from operating on the sidewalk however based on the definition of “vehicle” it is illegal to operate a bicycle on the sidewalk regardless of the location or age of the bicyclist. All bikes operating at nighttime must use a front light and a rear red reflector. Any bicyclist under the age of 16 must wear a bicycle helmet.
The Georgia Code does not address operation or right-of-way assignment for bicycle lanes or multi-use paths. However it does allow for a local governing authority to require bicycles to use a path if it is adjacent to the roadway regulated for the exclusive use of bicycles and designed according to American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO). Currently there are no paths in Georgia that meet all three of these requirements therefore bicyclists cannot be required to use a multi- use path adjacent to the roadway unless such paths are restricted to bicycle traffic only (i.e. no pedestrians dog-walkers joggers etc.) and upgraded to meet AASHTO standards.
Injuries Caused by Atlanta Bicycle Accidents
The type of injury sustained by a bicyclist in a Cumming GA vehicle accident can range from cuts and bruises to fatality. Common injuries incurred in a bicycle/vehicle accident include:
• Neck and back injuries
• Broken bones
• Spinal injuries
•
• Soft tissue injuries
• Facial and teeth injuries
• Amputation
• Road Rash
• Herniated disks
• Internal organ injuries
Dawsonville Bicyclists Must Take Precautions
Even in a minor collision the bicyclist is in danger and susceptible to serious harm and injury. For those who are driving it is important to know and understand the laws that protect bicyclists:
• Right to a lane: In all fifty states a bicycle has the right to a full lane on the road and a motor vehicle is not allowed to prevent a bicyclist a full lane.
• Sidewalk driving can be dangerous: Statistically cycling on the sidewalk is the most dangerous as it involves crossing driveways. If you are a motor vehicle driver it is important to always double check for bicycles and pedestrians when leaving out a driveway.
• Traffic signs: Bicyclists must observe traffic signs and signals like a motor vehicle.
Damages in Georgia Bicycle/Vehicle Crashes
If you were injured or lost a loved one in a Georgia bicycle accident you may be able to seek compensation for the following damages:
• Lost Wages — This amount can include the amount of time that the victim was out of work but it can also include future lost income if the victim is unable to return to his or her previous employment role.
• Medical Expenses — Victims are not only entitled to have the costs of their initial emergency treatment covered but also any costs of future rehabilitation.
• Loss of Consortium — If a victim is killed or suffers particularly catastrophic injuries such as paraplegia then his or her spouse may be able to collect these damages the reflect the loss of ordinary marital relations.
• Pain and Suffering — Unlike economic damages such as lost wages or medical expenses that are easier to calculate and prove pain and suffering is a kind of noneconomic damage that is much more subjective.
• Punitive Damages — Although punitive damages in bicycle crashes may be rare they can be awarded to punish egregious misconduct that causes injuries or wrongful death. In bicycle accidents punitive damages may be awarded if a motorist was driving under the influence (DUI) or another type of criminal offense.
Cumming Bicycle Accident Attorneys
[3] provides that the approximate amount of bicycle/motor vehicle accidents totals 48000 annually. These statistics remind us that both the pedestrian/bicyclist as well as the motor vehicle operator must take precautions. If you or a loved one were involved in a bicycle accident you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced bicycle accident attorneys call our office today at (770) 887-3162.
Contact:
Boling Rice LLC
207 Pirkle Ferry Rd
Cumming GA 30040
770-887-3162
References:
[1] http://www.forsythnews.com/section/6/article/29607/
[2] http://www.dot.ga.gov/drivesmart/travel/Documents/BikePedSAP.pdf
[3] http://www.pedbikeinfo.org/data/factsheet_crash.cfm
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