What if the driver flees the scene?
State law clearly requires any driver involved in an accident to stop immediately and remain at the scene to assist as needed. This would include cooperating in any police investigation of the event.
If the driver flees the scene, the situation becomes legally complicated for the victim, in addition to whatever injury you might have suffered. In an ideal situation, witnesses would step forward to help identify the vehicle or driver and corroborate your account. If there are no witnesses, you can file a claim with your own insurance company if you have uninsured motorist coverage, which will substitute for the at-fault driver’s liability coverage, the same way it would if the at-fault driver were uninsured.
What should I do if I am hit by a car on my bicycle?
You should treat a car-bike accident as if it were a car accident. If you are able, call the police and make sure the incident is properly reported and documented. This is crucial in determining liability and compensation. Also, get the driver’s insurance information, ask eyewitnesses for contact details, and, if you need it, ask for medical assistance. Even if you did not suffer serious injuries, set up an appointment with your doctor shortly after the wreck for an evaluation; this could be crucial to connect your injuries (the extent of which you might not realize yet) to your accident.
Do I need a lawyer if I was hit by a car while on my bike?
There’s nothing more terrifying for a cyclist than being hit by a car. While bike laws in Georgia may change, it remains the responsibility of motorists to maintain a safe distance from the cyclists with whom they share the road and to recognize them as rightful road users.
When this fails to happen and an accident occurs, the damage is likely to be one-sided. In the unfortunate event of a motorist striking a person on a bicycle, the bicyclist will have to navigate insurance coverage along with recovering from his or injuries. Get the legal help you need to successfully navigate this process and recover compensation for your damages.
Georgia has a two-year statute of limitations on personal injury claims, so time is a factor on top of all the other complexities. The Law Office of Jason R. Schultz, PC, can help. Call us at 404-474-0804 to set up a free consultation.