Victims of bike accidents face sudden changes, usually including serious injuries, lost wages, and intense fear about getting back on a bike. Insurance adjusters will make the situation sound simple, hoping you settle early and for less than what you actually deserve. Make sure you get legal help so you don’t get taken advantage of. Send us a message to set up a free legal case review with an Alpharetta bike accident attorney.
Reasons to Choose Gonzalez Torres Law as Your Alpharetta Bike Crash Attorney
Selecting the right Alpharetta injury lawyer after a bike accident can help your recovery journey feel a little easier. With Gonzalez Torres Law, you get:
- More than twenty years of legal advocacy for injured clients
- Bilingual communication – we speak English and Spanish and can discuss your case in your preferred language
- We do the free consultation wherever you are – we will come to your house, office, or hospital if needed
Our firm works hard to take the weight off your shoulders so you can focus on your recovery.
Ways a Lawyer in Alpharetta Can Strengthen Your Bike Accident Case
Hiring an Alpharetta bike accident lawyer can make things feel a little more manageable while you heal. These attorneys provide the following support for your claim:
- Explain legal terms so you understand what’s really happening in your case
- Calculate the damages you have experienced as a result of the accident
- Talk directly with insurance adjusters and opposing lawyers to try to get maximum compensation
With strong legal guidance in your corner, it’s easier to focus on recovery.
Proving Negligence in a Bike Accident Claim
When you’re hurt in a bicycle accident, you’ll need to prove another party is negligent if you want to recover compensation. To do this, you have to prove four elements:
Duty of Care
The person who hit you had a legal responsibility, or a “duty,” to act with care toward you. For drivers, this includes following traffic laws, paying attention, and watching for bikes.
Breach of Duty
You must show that this person didn’t live up to that responsibility. This could mean they ran a red light, opened a car door into your path without looking, or were speeding near a bike lane.
Causation
There has to be a clear link between their careless action and your injury. If you were hit because of something they did or didn’t do, causation exists.
Damages
Finally, you need proof that you suffered a loss or injury because of what happened. This might mean medical bills, lost work, pain, or changes to your daily life.
Statute of Limitations For Alpharetta Bike Accident Claims
If you’ve been hurt in a bicycle accident in Alpharetta, you might not be ready to think about legal action right away. However, it’s essential that you know there’s a deadline to file your lawsuit. This is known as the statute of limitations. In most cases in Georgia, you have two years from the date of the accident to bring a claim for your injuries.
§ 9-3-33. Injuries to the person
Except as otherwise provided in this article, actions for injuries to the person shall be brought within two years after the right of action accrues, except for injuries to the reputation, which shall be brought within one year after the right of action accrues, and except for actions for injuries to the person involving loss of consortium, which shall be brought within four years after the right of action accrues.
There are situations when the time limit can be different, though. Examples include:
- Discovery Rule: If you didn’t learn about your injuries right away, the “discovery rule” may allow the two years to start from the day you found out or should have known you were injured because of the bike accident.
- Injured Minors: If a child is hurt and wants to bring their own claim, they’ll have 2 years from the day they turn 18.
- Government Entities: If a government employee or city car caused the accident, you’ll need to move even faster. Many agencies require special notices within months of the incident. You need to act quickly, or you’ll lose your chance to file a claim.
Speaking with a lawyer shortly after your accident helps protect your rights and gives you the best chance of filing a lawsuit before the statute of limitations expires.
Schedule a Free Meeting With an Alpharetta Bike Accident Attorney From Gonzalez Torres Law
The confusion and uncertainty you feel after a bike accident is valid. Navigating the claims system and understanding your rights may be unfamiliar, but it does not have to be done alone. Gonzalez Torres Law is here to help. Schedule a free consultation with one of our Alpharetta bike accident attorneys to learn how we can help you in this situation.