Bike Accident Lawyer Dekalb County, GA
Getting into an accident can occur at any time and for almost any reason, which is why you need the help of a Dekalb County, GA bike accident lawyer from The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch Many times, the bicyclist involved in an accident is usually involved because they were a victim in an accident caused by a bigger vehicle (like a truck or a car) or there were road hazards they did not see. However, another common type of accident that can occur that can leave both parties severely injured is a bicycle accident that involves a pedestrian. Both the bicyclist and the pedestrian likely weren’t wearing much safety gear, and the speed at which the cyclist was going could account for mild to severe damage for the pedestrian. When it comes to this type of accident, it should be treated as any other kind. Your bicycle accident lawyer Dekalb County, GA relies on will be looking to provide evidence showing who was at fault.
Is fault always so obvious?
Especially when no larger motor vehicles are involved in the accident, it can be even harder to determine who was at fault in an accident like this, though many insurance companies will try to pin all of the fault on the other party regardless of the facts. More often, though, lawyers and insurance companies are finding that both parties may hold some of the responsibility for accidents like this. Your Dekalb County, Georgia bike accident lawyer can help establish fault.
For example, a bicyclist may be legally riding their bike in the bicycle lane on the road and a pedestrian may have stepped out into that lane. While the bicyclist was in their right of way to be riding there and the pedestrian should not have been there, it is also possible that the bicyclist did not successfully maintain control of his or her bike and it failed to brake in the normal amount of time. In this case, both parties owed a duty of care and failed to live up to that duty.
What duty of care does a cyclist owe?
When a bicyclist is on the road, a Dekalb County bike accident lawyer knows they owe others a duty of care. This means that they should:
- Obey traffic laws
- Not drive distracted
- Maintain their vehicle
- Avoiding riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Wear appropriate safety gear
What duty of care does a pedestrian owe?
Similarly, a pedestrian also owes other vehicles and bicyclists a duty of care. They should:
- Pay attention and obey traffic signals
- Not walk around intoxicated
- Cross on a crosswalk at the appropriate time
- Walk in their designated areas (such as a sidewalk)
How can a Bike Accident Lawyer in Dekalb County, Georgia help?
When both parties are following their duty of care, it is much harder to get into an accident. However, when you are a bicyclist and got into an accident with a pedestrian, you may be experiencing serious personal injuries in addition to property damage. When this is the case, you should contact a bike accident lawyer Dekalb County, GA trusts from The Law Offices Of Andrew Lynch to see how we can help you.