Savannah Bicycle Accident Lawyer
A Savannah bicycle accident lawyer pursues compensation when a driver or other party causes a crash through negligence. Under Georgia law, cyclists have the same rights as motorists, and drivers must follow the state’s three-foot passing rule when overtaking a bicycle.
Hasner Law represents injured cyclists throughout Chatham County and the greater Savannah area, handling collisions involving cars, trucks, and commercial vehicles. Drivers who violate traffic laws and strike a cyclist may face both criminal penalties and civil liability.
Our firm handles cases on a contingency-fee basis, so you pay nothing unless compensation is recovered. Call (912) 234-2334 for a free consultation.
Why Do Savannah Cyclists Choose Hasner Law After a Bicycle Accident?
Insurance adjusters treat bicycle accident claims differently than car-on-car collisions. They look for reasons to blame the cyclist, whether through lane positioning, helmet use, or alleged failure to signal.
Hasner Law Injury & Workers’ Compensation Attorneys brings more than 100 years of combined legal experience to injury victims across Savannah, Atlanta, Kennesaw, and communities throughout Georgia.
The firm’s founding attorney, Stephen Hasner, co-founded the Georgia Injured Workers’ Advocates (GIWA) and has spent his career representing people hurt through the negligence of others.
How the Legal Team Builds a Savannah Bicycle Accident Case
Bicycle accident evidence disappears quickly. Skid marks fade, road debris gets cleared, and the driver’s insurance company begins building its defense within hours.
The legal team at Hasner Law moves fast to lock down proof. The firm’s approach typically involves:
- Obtaining traffic camera footage, dashcam video, and business surveillance recordings from the area surrounding the collision before the footage is overwritten
- Documenting the road conditions, lane markings, signage, bike lane configuration, and sight lines at the crash location
- Downloading and preserving the at-fault driver’s cell phone records to determine whether the driver was texting or using an app at the time of impact
- Gathering the police report, witness statements, and any citations the officer issued to the driver at the scene
- Coordinating with your medical providers to build a complete record linking your injuries to the collision
The stronger the evidence collected in the first days after the accident, the harder it becomes for the insurance company to shift blame to the cyclist. Call (912) 234-2334 for a free case review.
What Legal Rights Do Cyclists Have on Savannah Roads?
Bicycles are legally classified as vehicles in Georgia under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-291. Cyclists have the same rights and duties as drivers of motor vehicles on every public roadway.
A driver who fails to yield to a cyclist, passes too closely, or opens a car door into a rider’s path violates Georgia traffic law and may face civil liability for the resulting injuries.
Georgia’s Three-Foot Passing Law
Georgia’s three-foot passing law under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-56 sets specific requirements for drivers overtaking a bicycle. The statute requires drivers to either change lanes entirely or, if a lane change is not possible, slow to at least 10 mph below the posted speed limit (or 25 mph, whichever is greater) while maintaining a minimum three-foot clearance.
A violation of this statute is a misdemeanor carrying a fine of up to $250 and may support a finding of negligence per se in a civil injury claim.
Cyclist Duties Under Georgia Law
Cyclists also carry legal obligations under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-294. Georgia traffic law requires riders to follow specific rules that differ in some ways from the rules for motor vehicles:
- Ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, except when turning left, avoiding hazards, passing a stopped vehicle, or riding in a lane too narrow to share safely with a car
- Travel in the same direction as motor vehicle traffic, including when riding in a designated bike lane
- Obey all traffic signals, stop signs, and yield signs just as a driver of a motor vehicle must
- Use hand signals when turning or changing lanes to communicate intentions to nearby drivers
- Ride no more than two abreast on a roadway, except on paths or lanes designated for bicycles
Understanding these duties matters because the insurance company examines every detail of your riding behavior to argue that you contributed to the collision. A cyclist who followed the rules has a much stronger position against these arguments.
How Does Comparative Negligence Affect a Savannah Bicycle Accident Claim?
Georgia’s modified comparative negligence rule under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33 reduces your compensation by your percentage of fault and bars all recovery if that percentage reaches 50 or more. Insurance companies use this rule aggressively against cyclists.
The arguments insurers most frequently raise against bicycle accident victims in Savannah include:
- That the cyclist was riding outside the bike lane or too far from the right side of the road
- That the cyclist failed to signal a turn or lane change before the collision
- That the cyclist was not wearing a helmet, which they argue contributed to the severity of head injuries
- That the cyclist ran a stop sign or red light, even when the evidence is unclear
- That the cyclist was wearing dark clothing or riding without proper lights at night
Georgia law does not require adults to wear helmets while cycling, and helmet noncompliance does not bar a claim. Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-296(e)(5), failure to wear a bicycle helmet does not constitute negligence per se or contributory negligence per se.
Your attorney’s role is to counter each of these blame-shifting arguments with physical evidence, witness testimony, and the applicable Georgia traffic statutes.
What Compensation May You Recover After a Bicycle Accident in Savannah?
Compensation in a Savannah bicycle accident case depends on the severity of the injuries, the strength of the liability evidence, and the insurance coverage available.
Cyclists have no structural protection around them, so injuries from a collision with a motor vehicle tend to be far more severe than injuries in car-on-car crashes.
The types of compensation that a successful bicycle accident claim in Savannah may include:
- Medical expenses covering emergency treatment, hospitalization, surgery, physical therapy, dental reconstruction, prescriptions, and future care
- Lost wages for time missed from work, plus lost earning capacity if the injury prevents a return to the same occupation or trade
- Pain and suffering for physical pain, emotional distress, anxiety about returning to cycling, and reduced quality of daily life
- Scarring and disfigurement compensation, which is particularly significant in bicycle collisions because road rash, facial injuries, and orthopedic trauma often leave permanent marks
- Property damage to your bicycle, helmet, cycling gear, and any personal electronics damaged in the crash
Each category requires supporting documentation. Medical records, wage statements, repair estimates, and photographs of injuries all build the value of the claim at the negotiation table or in a Chatham County courtroom.
What Deadlines Apply to a Bicycle Accident Claim in Savannah?
The statute of limitations for a bicycle accident personal injury claim in Georgia is two years from the date of the collision under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. Filing after this deadline permanently bars the claim.
Claims Involving Dangerous Road Conditions
If a pothole, crumbling bike lane, missing signage, or other road defect caused or contributed to your bicycle accident, the City of Savannah or Chatham County may share liability. Road conditions that frequently cause bicycle crashes in Savannah and across Georgia include:
- Potholes and crumbling pavement on streets used by cyclists in the Historic District and along Abercorn Street
- Bike lanes that end abruptly without warning, forcing riders to merge into motor vehicle traffic
- Missing or obscured road signage at intersections where cyclists have the right of way
- Drainage grates with slots running parallel to the road, which trap narrow bicycle tires and cause riders to fall
Claims against government entities require written ante litem notice within six months under O.C.G.A. § 36-33-5. Missing this shorter deadline bars the claim even if the two-year statute of limitations has not expired.
Claims Involving Minor Cyclists
If the injured cyclist is under 18, the two-year statute of limitations is generally tolled until the child turns 18 under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-90. A parent or guardian may file on the child’s behalf at any time before that deadline.
Georgia law requires cyclists under 16 to wear a helmet under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-296, but a child’s failure to comply does not constitute negligence per se and does not bar the claim.
Ask Hasner Law
How much does it cost to hire a bicycle accident lawyer in Savannah?
Hasner Law takes bicycle accident cases on a contingency-fee basis. You pay no upfront fees and owe nothing unless the firm recovers compensation on your behalf. The initial consultation is free, and the firm covers all case expenses throughout the process.
Do I have a case if I was not wearing a helmet during my bicycle accident?
Georgia does not require adults to wear helmets while cycling. Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-296(e)(5), failure to wear a bicycle helmet does not constitute negligence per se or contributory negligence per se.
The insurance company may argue that a helmet would have reduced head injuries, but helmet noncompliance does not bar your claim and does not automatically reduce your compensation.
What if the driver left the scene after hitting me on my bike?
A hit-and-run bicycle accident is a crime under Georgia law. If the driver fled, your own uninsured motorist (UM) coverage may provide compensation for your injuries.
Filing a police report immediately and gathering any witness descriptions, license plate fragments, or surveillance footage from nearby businesses helps both the criminal investigation and your civil claim.
What if a pothole or road defect caused my bicycle accident?
You may have a claim against the government entity responsible for maintaining the road. Claims against the City of Savannah or Chatham County require written ante litem notice within six months of the accident under O.C.G.A. § 36-33-5.
Photographing the road defect and reporting it to the local government creates documentation that supports both your claim and the notice requirement.
FAQs for Savannah Bicycle Accident Lawyers
How long do I have to file a bicycle accident lawsuit in Savannah?
Two years from the date of the accident under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. If a government entity is responsible for a dangerous road condition, you must provide written notice within six months. If the cyclist is a minor, the deadline is generally tolled until the child turns 18.
What if I was partially at fault for the bicycle accident?
Georgia’s comparative negligence rule reduces your compensation by your percentage of fault. If fault reaches 50 percent or more, Georgia law bars all recovery.
Insurance companies frequently argue that the cyclist was riding outside the bike lane or failed to signal. Your attorney counters those arguments with evidence of the driver’s traffic violations and the specific circumstances of the collision.
What injuries are common in Savannah bicycle accidents?
Bicycle accidents frequently cause traumatic brain injuries, broken bones, spinal cord damage, road rash requiring skin grafts, facial and dental injuries, and internal organ damage.
The severity of injuries is typically much greater than in car-on-car collisions because the cyclist has no structural protection.
Are bicycles considered vehicles under Georgia law?
Yes. Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-291, bicycles are legally classified as vehicles. Cyclists have the same rights and duties as drivers of motor vehicles on every public roadway in Georgia.
Drivers who fail to yield to a cyclist or pass too closely violate Georgia traffic law and may face civil liability for the injuries they cause.
Does the driver’s insurance cover a bicycle accident claim?
The at-fault driver’s liability insurance typically covers a bicycle accident claim, just as it covers a car-on-car collision.
If the driver lacks sufficient coverage, your own uninsured or underinsured motorist policy may provide additional compensation. Your attorney reviews all available insurance sources to identify every path to recovery.
Talk to Savannah Bicycle Accident Lawyers at Hasner Law Today
The driver’s insurance company is already building a case that the collision was your fault. Every hour without legal representation gives the adjuster more time to lock in that narrative before your side of the story is documented.
Hasner Law Injury & Workers’ Compensation Attorneys has spent decades fighting for injury victims across Savannah, Atlanta, and communities throughout Georgia. Call (912) 234-2334 today for a free consultation and find out whether the driver’s negligence gives you grounds for a claim.
Hasner Law Injury & Workers’ Compensation Attorneys – Savannah Office
221 W York St
Savannah, GA 31401
P: (912) 234-2334
