Georgia Injury Lawyer Blog

The Georgia injury lawyers at Finch McCranie, LLP represent clients who have suffered personal injuries from bicycle accidents or who are survivors of cyclists killed in accidents caused by the careless or negligent conduct of others. Surprisingly, many of these bicycle accidents do not involve other drivers but were caused by the negligence of road contractors, construction companies, and even public utility companies. Injuries suffered as a result of these types of accidents can be severe and life altering. Most common are nerve damage, broken or dislocated bones, and injuries to the neck, back, brain, or spinal cord. Sadly, some of these bicycle accidents result in the wrongful death of the cyclist.

Recently, we represented the family of an Atlanta cyclist who was killed when his bicycle struck a copper ground wire which had been pulled loose from a utility pole and was hanging out across a public sidewalk.

The photograph above was taken by Atlanta Police when they arrived at the scene of this tragedy. Given that the utility pole was literally located within 5 inches of Peachtree Street, the grounding wire was likely pulled loose by a passing bus or large truck because it was not secured properly to the pole. Although they are not visible in the photograph, our investigation showed that there were other wires which had been cut and left hanging from the pole and nearby tree.

During our investigation of the case we became aware that in metropolitan Atlanta, there are literally thousands of utility poles with loose wires hanging off of them in close proximity to public sidewalks and roadways. Many of these wires and cables serve no purpose and are there because someone was too lazy to either remove them or secure them in such a way so as not to endanger the public. Now that we are aware of this danger, hardly a day goes by that we do not see example after example of this hazard. The photograph below, taken on June 21, 2010 directly in front of the Dunwoody Library, illustrates the point. This potential hazard has been present for months.

Other recent bicycle cases involved road/bridge construction defects. Two cases involved bridge expansion joints which were left open and created a serious danger to cyclists.

Continue reading "Georgia Bicycle Accidents" »

In February of 2006, John Lamb was killed when a bicycle he was riding became entangled with hazardous utility wires which draped across a city sidewalk. Mr. Lamb did not see the wires that were still attached to the utility pole until it was too late. Unfortunately, he was thrown from his bicycle, landed on his head, broke his neck and was killed.

This spring, PEDS, a pedestrian safety advocacy group located in Atlanta, will be conducting the Second Annual John Lamb Hazardous Wire Hunt. Citizens are encouraged to photograph hazardous wires on or near City sidewalks and then send the photographs to PEDS, which in turn will send them to the City of Atlanta and/or to the utility companies implicated by the pictures. Obviously, the purpose of this Wire Hunt not only is to honor the memory of John Lamb, who was killed through the negligence of the City and the utility companies who failed to maintain their wires in a safe condition, but also to prevent future accidents of a similar nature. Once PEDS sends the photos to the City and to the utility companies, it is anticipated that they will clean up their act (so to speak) and hopefully, one day, make the City “wireless.”

Finch McCranie, LLP was honored to have represented the Lamb family in connection with his tragic wrongful death. We are also pleased that PEDS is performing this important community service on behalf of each and every Atlanta citizen who enjoy using sidewalks for safe ingress and egress. The City has a legal duty to maintain its sidewalks safely. Leaving hazardous wires on sidewalks for periods of days, weeks, and sometimes months clearly is not a safe practice. It is our hope that the PEDS Hazardous Wire Hunt in memory of John Lamb will serve its intended purposes and help make this City’s sidewalks safe for pedestrian use. One preventable and unnecessary death is one death too many.

Thank you PEDS for all you do.

Of all the possible traffic accidents in Atlanta, cases in which vehicles collide with a bicycle or a pedestrian can have the most tragic results. When walking or riding a bike, you do not have the same structural protection against impacts that you do while driving, so you are more likely to be the injured party, and you are more likely to be hurt badly.

If you are severely injured or if a loved one was killed in a bike or pedestrian accident due to the negligence of a driver, you deserve compensation for your losses, and you may need a lawyer to help you win your case.

When you are injured, unable to work, and facing medical bills, the situation can seem very dark. You not only need an attorney who will protect your rights and demand compensation, you need a friend who can give you the information and support you need.

With convenient offices in Atlanta, Georgia, Finch McCranie, LLP is dedicated to helping the victims of bicycle and pedestrian accidents in Georgia and to providing a high level of responsiveness, communication, and personal attention. At Finch McCranie, LLP, we take care of our clients. Our bicycle and pedestrian accident lawyers will fully inform you about the details of your injury case and the legal issues involved so you can make confident, educated decisions.

If you are someone you love was severely injured in a Georgia bicycle or pedestrian accident, please call the Georgia injury lawyers at Finch McCranie, LLP at 1-800-228-9159.