Georgia’s mild climate and natural beauty make it an excellent location for biking, but when you’re on your bike, it’s essential to remember just how vulnerable you are to the risks of the road. If a negligent motorist leaves you injured in a bike accident, make the prudent choice by working closely with an experienced personal injury attorney in Marietta, GA, from the start.
Your Bike is Classified as a Vehicle in Georgia
In Georgia, bikes are classified as vehicles, meaning you must obey all general traffic laws when you ride a bike in the state. As such, you must abide by all traffic signals and signs, yield the right of way as required, and signal your turns. When a bike path is available, you’re generally required to use it – unless it is blocked, poorly maintained, or otherwise unsafe to ride on.
You are generally afforded the right-of-way when you ride in a bike lane and follow all applicable traffic laws. When there is no bike lane, bicyclists must travel as far to the right-hand side of the road as is safely possible, other than when preparing to make a left turn, when passing another vehicle, or when traveling on a narrow roadway.
Further, you are entitled to a full lane whenever the road conditions are poor or the road is not wide enough to share safely. Finally, Georgia employs a three-foot law, which requires motorists to give cyclists at least three feet of clearance when passing.
Driver Negligence
Every form of driver negligence becomes much more dangerous when you’re on your bike. Consider the following examples:
- Excess speed increases the likelihood of accidents and raises the risk of them being deadly, particularly for cyclists. Driving at a safe speed is about more than simply obeying the speed limit – motorists must also factor in the road’s conditions, the traffic, and the effects of bad weather.
- Distracted drivers are dangerous, and cyclists can pay the ultimate price.
- Drunk drivers experience severe impairments that limit their ability to accommodate bicyclists safely.
- Drowsy driving leads to impairments that are not dissimilar to those experienced by drunk drivers.
- Aggressive drivers are among the most hazardous on our roadways, and they pose a significant threat to the safety of cyclists. When drivers fail to follow the rules of the road, they are as unpredictable as they are dangerous.
Get the Legal Support You Deserve After a Bicycle Accident
At Essa, Janho & Associates, LLC, we understand the impact a bicycle accident can have on your life. Our team is here to protect your rights and pursue the full compensation you need to move forward. Contact us online or call 770-955-8322 to speak with a dedicated attorney today.