We have posted before about the importance of bicycle safety on Georgia roadways. As a personal injury law firm, we have represented victims of and family members who lost loved ones in bicycle accidents as a result of negligence by motorists. Attorney Chase Swanson and his wife, Whitney, are avid cyclist themselves, which increases our concern for the general public to use appropriate caution in regards to bicyclists traveling on Georgia roadways.
726 cyclists lost their lives as a result of crashes with automobiles in 2012 alone. Bicyclists have the right to travel on Georgia roadways, as long as they adhere to cycle laws. Unfortunately, motor vehicle drivers do not always exercise the appropriate caution when traveling near cyclists. Instead of providing extra space or slowing when passing a bicycle rider, many people simply continue as though the rider were not there. This often leads to serious injuries and deaths because bicycle riders cannot protect themselves sufficiently from a moving vehicle, regardless of the safety gear that they wear.
In an effort to raise awareness about bicycle roadways safety and to remember the lives of those lost in bicycle roadway crashes, Bike Cobb is advertising the Marietta Ride of Silence on Wednesday, May 21. The ride begins at the Cobb County Parking Deck (191 Lawrence Street, Marietta, Georgia) and will extend nine miles. Those riding will be asked to do so in complete silence in respect of the lives being commemorated. Riders are asked to where different colored arm bands to signify what they are riding for: red for injured victims and black for those who have died in bicycle-automobile crashes. Riders are being asked to gather at 6:30 PM. The ride will begin at 7:00 PM. The Ride of Silence does not only occur in Marietta, though. There are hundreds of locations for participants to ride at, each of which can be found at www.rideofsilence.org.
Attorney Andrew Jones has experience representing victims of bicycle-automobile accidents. These types of claims are often difficult to be involved in, as injuries are often severe. Negligence must be proven in order to receive compensation for medical bills, loss of wages, or pain and suffering. The best method of proving that negligence is to hire an attorney and let them to do work for you while you concentrate on recovery. For more information about bicycle safety and how to operate your vehicle while traveling near cyclists, visit our bicycle safety blog post or contact us at (770) 427-5498.