BICYCLE SAFETY WHILE SHARING THE ROADS IN ATLANTA
Bicycle riders often share the road with drivers, increasing their risk of injury in an accident simply because of their comparative exposure and weight differential. Because there is not much to shield cyclists from impact, accidents involving bicyclists can often result in serious injuries or death. It is important to work to make the roads a safer place for bicyclists, and holding drivers responsible for negligently causing a crash can help improve safety for everyone.
Making roads safer in Atlanta
It is difficult for cyclists and vehicles to share the road when drivers have bad attitudes about bicyclists. Often times, drivers believe that they are in a faster, heaver, stronger vehicle, so no one should get in their way. This attitude is dangerous and puts cyclists and other drivers at risk.
Atlanta’s Mayor recently announced that the city will be taking steps to increase cyclist safety. The city plans to double the number of miles of bike lanes and multi-use trails by 2016. A sum of $2.5 million has been approved to fund high quality bicycle projects that will hopefully result in safe bicycle facilities and streets.
The Georgia Department of Transportation has also stepped in, announcing a policy that focuses its projects on the needs of all users. This means that projects should not favor vehicle drivers over cyclists and vice versa.
When drivers are at fault
When an injury occurs in a collision between a car and bicyclist, many concerns and questions may arise as to why the accident happened and how one’s medical expenses will be covered. If the driver of the vehicle was negligent in causing the crash, he or she may be held responsible for the damages that result through a personal injury lawsuit.
Sometimes cyclists are lucky and are able to walk away from an accident with only a few bruises or scratches, but often an accident is much more severe. Broken bones, traumatic brain injuries and even death can result. A traumatic brain injury can have a serious effect on a person’s life, causing an individual to potentially suffer from memory loss, depression, a change in personality or pain and suffering from many other symptoms.
Experienced personal injury lawyers know how to assess liability for a bicycle accident and can help an injured party seek damages for his or her medical expenses, pain and suffering and missed time at work. If you have been injured in a bicycle accident, contact a personal injury lawyer with experience in bike accident cases to discuss your legal options.