Bicycle Accident Attorney in Norcross, Gwinnett County

Bicycle accidents can result in serious injuries and even death. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle accident, you need an experienced attorney who can help you obtain compensation for your losses. Dermer Appel Ruder, LLC is a law firm with extensive experience handling bicycle accident cases. Our Norcross bicycle accident attorneys are here to help you through every step of the legal process.

Bicyclists have a tough time staying safe and out of harm’s way even when they are following all the rules of the road and paying careful attention to the drivers around them. Texting and driving, speeding, drunk driving, and failing to yield the right of way are all bad driver habits that endanger vulnerable bicyclists. One bicyclist has died in Gwinnett County every year since 2013. If you or a loved one was recently injured in a bicycle accident, call the Georgia bicycle accident lawyers at Dermer Appel Ruder. We can help you understand your rights and seek compensation for your damages.

Common Causes of Bicycle Accidents

Most bicycle accidents happen when motor vehicle drivers aren’t paying enough attention to the road. Distracted driving can take a driver’s attention away from the road enough to miss a nearby or crossing bicyclist. Motorists ignoring the right of way rules and following dangerously close to bicycles can also cause wrecks. The following are some of the most common types of bicycle accidents:

• Left-hand turn accidents
• Intersection accidents
• Door-opening accidents
• Unsafe roadway accidents
• Side-swipe accidents

Some bicycle crashes aren’t from other drivers but from dangerous roadway conditions. Bicyclists are prone to accidents due to roadway hazards such as potholes, loose gravel, sticks and debris in the road, and unsafe intersections and crosswalks. It is up to the city or other municipal entity to keep its roads well-maintained for drivers, bicyclists, and pedestrians. Failure to fix a hazard when the city, county or other municipality reasonably could have done so is negligence and may result in government liability.

Unfortunately, bicycle accidents are pretty common in Norcross and the entire Gwinnett County and incidents have been on steady rise in the last decade according to the U.S. Department of Transportation. This is because many causes trigger them. Here are common causes of bicycle accidents in Norcross:

• Driver negligence – Many bicycle accidents occur due to drivers’ negligence. This includes distracted driving, speeding, running red lights or stop signs, and failuring to yield the right of way. If you are injured in a bicycle accident involving a negligent driver, a bicycle accident attorney in Norcross will help you get justice.
• Poor road conditions – Bicyclists are vulnerable to accidents caused by poor road conditions, such as potholes, debris, and uneven surfaces. These conditions increase the risk of bicycle accidents.
• Door collisions – Bicyclists risk colliding with car doors that suddenly open in their path. Drivers are warned against opening car doors in the middle of the road without warning.
• Speeding: Most road accidents in Georgia and the United States are caused by speeding. When a car is moving at a high rate of speed, it can easily knock down cyclists, causing catastrophic injuries. Our dedicated bicycle accident lawyers in Norcross at Dermer Appel Ruder, LLC, will ensure you get compensated for injuries suffered under these circumstances.

Different Types of Bicycle Accidents

Bicycle accidents can take many different forms. Some of the different types of bicycle accidents include:

• Intersection accidents – Accidents at intersections can be particularly dangerous for bicyclists. Drivers who fail to yield or run red lights or stop signs can cause serious injuries to bicyclists.
• Rear-end collisions – Bicyclists are vulnerable to rear-end collisions, especially when motorists are following too closely or not paying attention.
• Right hook accidents – Right hook accidents occur when a motorist turns right into the path of a bicyclist. These accidents can be hazardous when the bicyclist is in the motorist’s blind spot.
• Left turn accidents – Left turn accidents occur when a motorist turns left into the path of a bicyclist. These accidents can be caused by a failure to yield or a misjudgment of the bicyclist’s speed.

Tips to Avoid Bicycle Accidents

There are several things that bicyclists can do to reduce their risk of accidents resulting in injuries or death, including:

• Wear a helmet – In case of any accident, wearing a helmet can significantly reduce the risk of head injuries.
• Avoid wearing headphones of any kind which can cause a cyclist to not be aware of or be able to hear what is going on around them.
• Avoid texting or using anything that distracts you by taking your eyes off the road
• Use lights and reflectors and wear bright clothes – It is helpful for bicyclists to use them to increase their visibility to motorists, especially at night.
• Follow traffic laws – Bicyclists should follow the same traffic laws as motorists, including obeying traffic signals and signs.
• Stay alert and be alert to the road and traffic- Bicyclists should always be aware of their surroundings, especially when riding in areas with heavy traffic.

Determining Liability in a Bicycle Accident

In a bicycle accident case, determining liability can be complex. Liability can depend on various factors, including:

• The actions of the parties involved – Liability may be determined by the actions of the bicyclist and the motorist involved in the accident.
• The applicable traffic laws – Liability may also be determined by whether the parties involved followed traffic laws at the time of the accident.
• The road conditions – Liability may also be determined by the road condition at the time of the accident and whether any hazardous road conditions contributed to the accident.
• Witness statements – Witness statements can be important in determining liability. Witnesses help unravel what happened in the bicycle accident and who might be viable. They also paint a picture of what happened.

At Dermer Appel Ruder, LLC, our experienced Norcross bicycle accident lawyers can help you navigate the complexities of determining liability in a bicycle accident. We will thoroughly investigate the accident and gather all the necessary evidence to determine liability and pursue maximum compensation for your losses.