Many Braselton residents ride their bikes as a means of transportation or exercise. Unfortunately, there are risks associated with cycling around town due to reckless or careless drivers on the road. If a negligent driver struck you while riding your bicycle, you might be able to hold them legally accountable for the accident and your injuries. Pursuing legal action against those responsible for your harm may be vital to ensure you are not overwhelmed by your financial, physical, and personal losses.
A qualified Braselton bicycle accident lawyer could work tirelessly to demand the restitution you deserve and provide custom-tailored legal support throughout your case. Additionally, a seasoned personal injury attorney could help ensure that common legal roadblocks do not keep you from obtaining fair restitution. This is especially important in bicycle collision cases where it may initially be unclear who is responsible for your crash. Contact Smith Hulsey today to get started.
A comprehensive lawsuit or settlement demand following a bicycle accident should account not just for immediately evident short-term losses, but for any long-term harm as well. For example, if a bicyclist suffers a permanent injury requiring extensive rehabilitative care, the costs associated with that future care should be factored into their claim alongside any bills they already have for emergency medical treatment.
Furthermore, various non-economic damages may be incorporated into a bike crash on top of objective economic losses—for instance, physical pain, psychological distress, and long-term loss of enjoyment of life. A Braselton bicycle collision attorney could discuss which losses may potentially be recoverable in a private consultation. Once retained, legal counsel could tenaciously pursue compensation for an injured party’s damages.
Because bicyclists are much more likely to suffer severe injuries in traffic accidents than drivers inside of motor vehicles, it might seem sensible to assume that drivers who hit bicyclists are always legally at fault for such accidents. In reality, though, injured bicyclists cannot recover compensation unless they can prove the person who struck them was legally negligent—and, importantly, that they were not negligent themselves.
A bicyclist who disobeys traffic laws, rides in reckless ways, or simply ignores their surroundings may be found partially liable for an ensuing wreck. If this is the case, the courts may reduce their total available compensation in proportion to that rider’s share of total blame. Under Official Code of Georgia §51-11-7, any person found equally or more to blame for an accident than all other involved parties combined is ineligible to recover any compensation whatsoever through a civil claim.
Another legal restriction worth noting is the statute of limitations for personal injury litigation. For most prospective plaintiffs in Georgia, O.C.G.A. §9-3-33 outlines this limit as being two years from the date of the accident. Support from a knowledgeable attorney could prove essential in overcoming procedural obstacles like these following a bike wreck in Braselton.
Any kind of bicycle accident could potentially cause severe and permanent injuries. If you believe that someone else is to blame for negligently causing your bike crash, taking proactive legal action against them might be your best means of protecting your future prospects.
A dedicated Braselton bicycle accident lawyer’s assistance could make all the difference in how your unique case plays out. Learn more by calling the dedicated attorneys at Smith Hulsey today.
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