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At a glance: Georgia law gives cyclists the same rights as drivers and requires vehicles to leave at least 3 feet when passing. You generally have 2 years to file. Foster James, LLC handles Georgia bicycle accident claims on a no-fee-unless-we-win basis. Call 855-211-8999.

A cyclist hit by a car has little protection and often suffers severe injuries. Drivers frequently blame the rider, and insurers follow their lead. If you or a loved one was injured while cycling in Atlanta or anywhere in Georgia, Foster James, LLC can hold the at-fault driver accountable and pursue full compensation. There is no fee unless we win.

Georgia bicycle laws

Cyclists in Georgia have the same rights and duties as other drivers. When passing a bicycle, a motorist must leave a safe distance of at least three feet (O.C.G.A. Section 40-6-56). Violations of this and other rules of the road can help establish a driver’s fault.

Common causes of bicycle accidents

  • Drivers failing to yield or turning into a cyclist’s path
  • Unsafe passing within three feet
  • Dooring, where a driver opens a door into a cyclist
  • Distracted or impaired driving
  • Running lights and stop signs
  • Poor road conditions

Georgia law you should know

  • Two-year deadline to file a personal injury lawsuit (O.C.G.A. Section 9-3-33).
  • Modified comparative fault (O.C.G.A. Section 51-12-33): you can recover if less than 50% at fault, reduced by your share.
  • Uninsured or hit-and-run drivers. You may be able to recover through your own uninsured or underinsured motorist coverage.
  • 2025 tort reform (SB 68) changed how medical bills and damages are presented to juries, making experienced representation more important.

Compensation you may recover

Medical bills, lost wages and earning capacity, pain and suffering, rehabilitation and long-term care, and wrongful death damages in a fatal crash.

What to do after a bicycle crash

  1. Call 911 and get medical care.
  2. Get the police report.
  3. Photograph the scene, the vehicle, your bike, and your injuries.
  4. Get driver and witness information.
  5. Preserve your bike and gear without repairing them.
  6. Contact Foster James, LLC.

Why Foster James, LLC

We know how insurers try to shift blame onto cyclists, and we build the evidence to counter it. We work on a contingency-fee basis, so you pay nothing unless we recover for you.

Frequently asked questions

The driver says the crash was my fault. Do I still have a claim? Possibly. Georgia’s comparative negligence rule lets you recover if you were less than 50% at fault. We investigate to establish the driver’s responsibility.

What is Georgia’s three-foot law? When passing a cyclist, a driver must leave at least three feet of space (O.C.G.A. Section 40-6-56). A violation can help prove fault.

How long do I have to file in Georgia? Generally two years from the date of the crash, under O.C.G.A. Section 9-3-33.

What does a bicycle accident lawyer cost? Nothing up front. Foster James, LLC works on contingency, so you only pay if we win.

Contact a Georgia bicycle accident lawyer

Injured while cycling in Atlanta or anywhere in Georgia? Call Foster James, LLC at 855-211-8999 or contact us online for a free consultation. Our office is at 1718 Peachtree St NW, Suite 332, Atlanta, GA 30309.

See our full Georgia personal injury practice, or our related pedestrian accident page.