What are Georgia’s Car Seat Laws?

Child sitting in front facing car seat with a thumbs up.

What Are Georgia’s Car Seat Laws?

Georgia has specific laws that require certain car safety seats for children. Children’s lives are precious, priceless and irreplaceable, so of course you want to protect them in every way you can. One of the ways that you can ensure your child’s safety is by utilizing the proper car seat every time you put them in a vehicle. However, it can be tricky to know what car seat your child needs. Today we will discuss what Georgia law tells us about your child’s car seat needs. Georgia has a statute, O.C.G.A. 40-8-76, which lays out child safety seat requirements. Georgia’s Car Seat Safety Statute is a primary law rather than a secondary law, meaning that you can be pulled over and cited for a violation, even if you have not committed another traffic violation.

Where Should My Child Be Seated in The Car?

First and foremost, children under the age of 8 should always be in the back seat as required by Georgia law. It is recommended that children under the age of 13 ride in the back seat. All children under the age of 8 must be seated in the back seat in a proper safety seat based on their age, height and weight. Motor vehicle crashes are the number 1 cause of death of children in the US age 14 and under. Children seated in the front have a 40% to 70% higher risk of injury or death than children seated in the back. The linked study indicates that the center rear seat is the safest, with a risk reduction of 9%-24%. The reason that the center rear seat is the safest is because it is the position in the vehicle where the passenger is least likely to suffer an airbag injury or fatality. Children in the front seat are more likely to suffer injury or death caused by airbag deployment.

Which Car Seat is Right for My Child According to the Law?

Every child is different and Georgia laws account for that. Let’s look at age, weight and height requirements for child safety seats.

Georgia Law on Car Seats for Newborns and Infants:

You want to make sure your infant is protected in a rear-facing car seat until they are over the age of one year AND over 20 pounds. If your one-year-old is not yet 20 pounds, keep them in a rear-facing seat at least until they reach that milestone. It is recommended to keep your child rear-facing as long as possible. Even if your child is over 20 pounds, you may keep them in a rear-facing seat as long as that seat is rated for their weight and height per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Rear facing seats have harness-type straps that go over the head and should fit snuggly across the shoulders and chest. Some of these rear facing seats are designed to be rear facing only, while others are convertible models that can be adjusted to suit your child’s needs as they grow. Rear facing only seats usually come with a base that stays in the car, and the seat itself clicks onto the base. This makes it easier to transport your child to and from the car and also helps to ensure that the seat stays properly installed in your vehicle.

Georgia Law on Car Seats for Toddlers (One to Three Years):

Once your infant has reached one year AND 20 pounds, you can then transition them to a forward-facing car seat with a harness if you choose to do so. Just like the rear-facing seats, these front facing seats have harness-type straps that go over the head and should fit snuggly across the shoulders and chest. Your child should remain in a forward-facing seat with a harness until they are at least four years old AND over 40 pounds. Again, safety is our number one priority, so even if your child is over the age of four and over 40 pounds, you may choose to keep them restrained by a harness in a rear or front facing seat so long as the seat is rated for their weight and height per the manufacturer’s instructions.

Georgia Car Seat Laws for Young Children (Four to Eight Years):

Finally, your child is ready to graduate into a big kid booster seat! This means they have reached age four and are over 40 pounds. Your child should remain in a booster seat until they have reached the height of 4’9”. Children using booster seats are 59% less likely to be injured in a crash than those using a seatbelt alone, per the Georgia Department of Highway Safety. In this age range, children should remain in the back seat.

Children under 4’9” cannot safely sit in a car’s seat with the seatbelt alone, because the seatbelt will not fit them properly. The purpose of the booster seat is to position the child and the seatbelt so that your child is properly secured. Some of these seats have high backs, while some of them are backless. High-back booster seats are for smaller children, while the backless seats are for taller children.

Eight to Eighteen Years:

Once your child has reached the height of 4’9”, they may graduate from the booster to a regular car seat with seatbelt. Once your child reaches the age of 8, he or she may ride in the front seat, with either a booster, or without once they meet the height requirement. It is important that the seatbelt fit the child properly. The lap belt should sit snugly across the upper thighs (not the stomach), and the shoulder belt should rest snugly across the chest (not the neck or face). Your child should be tall enough to sit in the seat with their back to the seat and their knees bent over the edge of the seat comfortably. Your child needs to be able to maintain this seat position throughout the entirety of your trip, otherwise, they need to remain in a safety seat.

How Can I Be Sure My Child’s Safety Seat is Properly Installed?

According to a 2002 study, 81 percent of children are incorrectly restrained when traveling in a vehicle. In Georgia, you can go to your local fire department or any of the other locations linked below to learn how to properly install a car seat.

Georgia Department of Highway Safety’s list of Child Safety Seat Fitting Locations.

A Child Passenger Safety Technician (CPST) can also help you properly install your child’s car seat.

Child Safety Seat Tips:

  • When the child is seated in a seat with a harness, the retainer clip at the top of the harness should sit at armpit level.
  • Harness straps should be flat and untwisted and should be adjusted snugly.
  • Lap belts should be fitted low and snugly across the hips.
  • Shoulder belts should not sit across the face or neck, and should never be behind the child’s arms or back.
  • Make sure your child’s safety seat is correctly rated for their height and weight per the manufacturer’s instructions. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions for your child’s safety seat.
  • Do not use a secondhand safety seat or a seat that has been in a collision or has been recalled. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has a tool that allows you to search and see if your child’s seat has been recalled. It is also important to register your car seat! Complete the registration that comes with your child’s car seat to receive notifications if the seat is ever recalled.
  • Your child should not wear a large or puffy coat when in a safety seat, as this can prevent proper fitting of the harness, shoulder or lab belts. We’ve included a link to some tips to help keep your child warm and safe in the winter months while on the road.
  • Car seats should be used for travel only. Do not allow your child to remain strapped into a car seat outside of the vehicle. This practice has resulted in unfortunate infant deaths. Car seats are not a replacement for cribs or bassinets.
  • Do not use a seat that is too old, or has any visible damage, such as cracks or missing parts.
  • Be a role model! Always wear your seatbelt (It’s the law, after all!) and help your child build the healthy habit of always buckling their seat belt when on the road. Remember, click it or ticket!
  • Never leave your child unattended in or around a vehicle.

Your child’s safety is your highest priority as a parent. Ensuring that they are properly restrained every time you drive is the best way to keep your kids safe on the road. We have linked a recent Car Safety Seat Product Listing to help you choose the seat that is right for your child.  For more child passenger safety information, please visit the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety website.

Nursing Home Abuse and Injury Cases in Georgia

Elderly abuse from negligent nursing home in Georgia.

A national, privately-owned nursing home chain advertised its services with glossy brochures, showing its smiling staff serving 5-star dinners to happy residents in immaculate dining halls.  Pictures of nurses out of central casting were seen providing “concierge” medical care to healthy residents in beautiful bedrooms.  The goal, of course, was to induce residents and their families to believe that top-notch service was provided.  Both private insurance and taxpayer-funded Medicare was happily accepted. 

In reality, residents who were unable to feed or care for themselves routinely went without adequate nutrition and basic healthcare. In one instance, a diabetic patient died because he was not given a snack by a poorly trained and overworked nursing assistant.  A subsequent lawsuit by Williams Elleby Howard & Easter attorneys revealed the chain had a pattern of staffing shortages and inadequately trained staff that repeatedly resulted in substandard care.  After fighting hard to obtain internal records, the chain was required to turn over emails and memos that showed the profit motive behind these staffing shortages. 

“[R]esearch findings consistently show higher staffing levels are related to higher quality of care,” However, “under current government prospective payment systems, nursing homes make choices on how to allocate their resources. About 70% of nursing homes are for-profit facilities with an orientation to maximizing profits for owners and shareholders.”  

Failure to Meet Nurse Staffing Standards: A Litigation Case Study of a Large US Nursing Home Chain .

Providing substandard care including minimum staffing for residents, especially to increase profits, is illegal. 

Under federal regulations, nursing homes are required to:

  • Provide nursing care to all residents on a 24-hour basis in accordance with resident care plans.
  • Have a “licensed nurse to serve as a charge nurse on each tour of duty… and licensed nurses have the specific competencies and skill sets necessary to care for residents’ needs, as identified through resident assessments, and described in the plan of care.”
  • The facility must meet or exceed a minimum of 3.48 hours per resident day for total nurse staffing including a minimum of 0.55 hours per resident day for registered nurses 2.45 hours per resident day for nurse aides; and
  • aides must be “able to demonstrate competency in skills and techniques necessary to care for residents’ needs, as identified through resident assessments, and described in the plan of care.”

Code of Federal Regulations, 42 C.F.R. § 483.35.

A good way to research whether a nursing home has a history of poor staffing or other problems is to look on the Medicare’s “nursing home compare” website.  Medicare.Gov   This site provides information on nursing homes by location and includes comparisons on the quality of care and staffing. 

In many states, including Georgia, a nursing home that hurts someone by failing to follow regulations is liable for negligence and negligence per se.  For example, in 2006, the Georgia Court of Appeals specifically held that violations of nursing home staffing regulations allowed a resident’s family to sue for harm that resulted from the violations because “It is obvious that as a resident of the nursing home owned by [Defendant, Plaintiff’s] father belonged to the class of persons for whom these statutes and regulations were intended to protect, and that the injuries set forth in the complaint… were among those these same statutes and regulations were designed to prevent.”    McLain v. Mariner Health Care, Inc., 279 Ga. App. 410, 413, 631 S.E.2d 435, 438 (2006).

Some of the most important questions to ask when looking at a potential nursing home negligence or malpractice case are:

  • Did the harm result from a violation of a federal or state regulation;
  • Was there a pattern of such violations;
  • Was there a profit motivation behind the violations?

Nursing home cases can be complex and difficult to prove. Having an experienced lawyer who knows the federal and state regulations is important so that victims can understand their legal rights and options.

The experienced medical malpractice attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, handle negligent nursing home cases throughout the State of Georgia. If you would like to discuss your case, call today to schedule a free consultation at 833-534-2542.

If you or a loved one has been harmed because a nursing home failed to properly staff and provide proper care, Attorney Marc Howard along with the Williams Elleby Howard & Easter team, can help you understand your personal injury claim and work to get you the compensation you deserve.

Animal Bite Injuries

A dog with sharp teeth aggressively barking.

WHAT IS GEORGIA’S DOG BITE LAW?

In Georgia, there is a statute regarding injuries caused by animals, including dogs. This is found in O.C.G.A. § 51-2-7. According to the 2024 version of this statute, a negligent owner of a violent dog that causes unprovoked harm can be held liable for damages. Specifically, the statute states:

A person who owns or keeps a vicious or dangers animal of any kind and who, by careless management or by allowing the animal to go at liberty, causes injury to another person who does not provoke the injury by his own act may be liable in damages to the person so injured. In proving vicious propensity, it shall be sufficient to show that the animal was required to be at heel or on a leach by an ordinance of a city, county or consolidated government, and the said animal was at the time of the occurrence not at heel or on a leash.

Dogs can be loyal and loving members of the family. But with ownership comes responsibility, and the potential for liability from a dog bite or attack if you are not careful. According to an article written by Peter Tuckel and William Milczarski that was published in 2020, dog bites are a common cause of emergency room visits in the United States each year.

Dog bites, as you could imagine, can cause serious injuries and even death. When dangerous or vicious dogs cause harm, or when dog owners negligently permit dogs to attack others, dog bite victims may be entitled to compensation for the damages and injuries they suffer.

Whether a dog bite claim will be successful depends on a number of factors and are what we like to call “fact specific.” If you have suffered an injury as a result of a dog bite or dog attack, it is important to understand the law and to be aware of your rights. Of course, it is always best to consult with an attorney as soon as possible.

Four elements dog bite victims must prove to win their claim in Georgia:

  1. Vicious propensity. A dog that has a history of aggressive behavior towards people, or has been involved in past incidences of biting, may be considered “vicious or dangerous” under the statute. This element is automatically met if a dog was required by law to be at heel or leashed and was instead running free. S&S Towing & Recovery, Ltd. v. Charnota, 309 Ga. 117 (2020). Most cities and counties have ordinances requiring dogs to be on a leash. For example, in Cobb County, Georgia, dogs must be on a leash not exceeding six feet in length when away from their home. In addition, you can prove vicious propensity if you can gather evidence of prior bites or attacks. This can be done by sending an open records request to your local animal control agency for any and all complaints or incident reports regarding animals at a specific address.
  2. Careless management. Letting a dog off-leash in public or otherwise allowing it to roam free around others could meet this element. If a dog is on its owner’s property, careless management could occur if an owner knows the dog is aggressive to guests yet fails to contain or control it. Careless management could also occur if the owner does not have control of the dog while on leash and knew, or should have known, the dog could lunge or attack. If you undertake to restrain a dog, and do so in a negligent manner, you can be liable for that dog attacking or biting someone else. Myers v. Ogden, 343 Ga. App. 771 (2017).
  3. Unprovoked attack. To meet this element, a dog bite victim must not have provoked the dog into attacking. Unlike other types of torts, the doctrine of comparative negligence will not apply in this circumstance. If a person provokes a dog into attacking by antagonizing it, a dog bite claim will be completely defeated. Teasing, kicking, yelling, throwing objects, and other antagonizing behavior toward a dog that results in an attack or bite will not be recoverable.
  4. Attack causes injuries. As with any personal injury claim, a dog bit victim must prove that any injuries sustained were caused by the dog bite or the attack. This can include an actual bite from the animal, or an attack where the bog chases someone off leash causing that person to fall and become injured. In the second scenario there would be no “bite” but the attack and behavior of letting a dog run off a leash led to the injuries.

The Statute of Limitations for Bringing Dog Bite Claims

Under Georgia law, you have two years from the date of the incident to bring a claim for a dog bite or attack. The two-year period begins the moment that the victim knows that they have been injured by a dog bite. In certain circumstances this two-year period can be “tolled” or delayed, for instance when a victim is unable to bring a lawsuit because of their injury or because the defendant prevented them from doing so. When bringing a claim, the injured party is almost always bringing the claim against the dog owner’s homeowner’s insurance policy. If the dog owner does not own a home, or live in a home where coverage applies, we would look to renters’ insurance to cover any potential claim.

I have handled many dog bite cases in my career, and everyone is different. As an example, a prior client was bitten on the leg by a dog while running on a sidewalk. Not only was the dog off leash and roaming the neighborhood, after an investigation, we discovered that the owner in question had many prior offenses with dogs escaping their property. This was enough to make an allegation for punitive damages. In another case, my client was bitten by a dog at a park while the dog was on a leash. However, the owner knew the dog would lung and bit and failed to properly control their dog which resulting in a serious bite to the face. Finally, in another example, a client was attacked by a god while playing in a neighbor’s yard when the adult supervising the children carelessly let the dog out of the house. The adult was aware the dog was aggressive and had been barking excessively prior to being let outside. As soon as the dog escaped from the house, they attacked our client’s child and drug her into the bushes. In each of these examples, we were able to seek justice on behalf of our clients and secure favorable settlements.

Contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter Today for More Information

The dog bite personal injury attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, are dedicated to vigorously representing personal injury victims throughout Georgia. If you have been bitten or attacked by a dog, the injury attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter can help you understand your rights and get you the compensation you deserve. Call Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, to schedule a consultation today at (833) 534-2542.

Bedsores: Can a GA Nursing Home Be Held Liable?

Elderly woman in nursing home bed.

Bedsores are one of the most common injuries that occur in Georgia nursing homes.  When you place a loved one in a nursing home, it is typically because they can no longer care for themselves and you are not able to provide the care they need. When you choose a nursing home, you are entrusting the nursing home’s administrators and staff with one of the most important duties imaginable: caring for another human being, your loved one.

Finding out that your loved one has developed bedsores can understandably feel like a violation of that trust. In Georgia law, you may have a legal claim against the nursing home and/or some of its staff members for the harm.

Pressure Ulcers and Bedsores

Pressure ulcers and bedsores are two different terms for the same condition of skin sores that develop as a result of limited blood flow to an area. Blood flow is limited when a part of the body is pressed up against something, like a bed or wheelchair, for a long period of time. Bedsores are more likely to develop on the skin atop bony areas such as the hip, ankle, back of head, and tailbone.

Bedsores range in severity from a red, swollen area on the skin’s surface to a deep open wound that may never fully heal. Their severity is identified by stages; stage 1 is the least severe and stage 4 is the most severe. More severe cases can lead to severe complications including sepsis, which is a body-wide infection, and even death.

Causes of Pressure Ulcers

Bedsores are a common problem in nursing facilities, particularly among patients with limited or no independent mobility. These patients are often spending the bulk or all of their days in bed or between a bed and a wheelchair. Being in the same position creates pressure at certain spots, which cuts off blood flow and causes bedsores.

Nursing homes sometimes argue that pressure ulcers and bedsores are unavoidable, but this is deceptive. It is true that even with the best nursing home care, pressure ulcers and bedsores sometimes develop. However, there are ways to significantly reduce the risk of bedsores. In fact, the Model Systems Knowledge Translation Center estimates that 95% of all pressures sores are preventable.

Legal Liability for Pressure Ulcers and Bedsores

Two of the most important steps for preventing bedsores in nursing home patients are repositioning the patient frequently and make sure skin is kept dry.   This means nursing home staff must promptly clean up any urine or feces for bedridden patients. Nursing homes are obligated to take these and other steps to prevent pressure sores. They must also provide adequate medical care for any bedsores that do develop. Unfortunately, nursing homes do not always live up to these responsibilities.

Get Legal Help for Nursing Home Malpractice and Negligence

There are far too many cases where a Georgia nursing home resident’s bedsores could have been avoided or complications minimized if the nursing facility provided the care it was ethically and legally required to. Fortunately, nursing homes and their staff can be held liable for their misconduct.  

Proving that pressure ulcers and bedsores are the result of negligent or intentional misconduct by a nursing home or its staff members and not an unavoidable consequence of being largely bedridden, can be difficult. Having counsel experienced in nursing home lawsuits can improve your likelihood of successfully obtaining fair compensation. If you would like more information or would like to discuss your case, contact Attorney Marc Howard at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter today to schedule a free consultation by calling 833-LEGALGA.

Bicycle Wrecks

bicycle accident wreck injured

Each year in the United States there are hundreds of thousands of accidents between automobiles and bicycles. Because of their vulnerable position, these accidents often have severe consequences for the cyclists involved. It is crucial for both motorists and cyclists to understand their rights and duties under Georgia law.

If you have been injured in a bicycle wreck and someone else was at fault, you need a qualified and experienced bicycle wreck injury attorney to represent you. Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, is dedicated to getting accident victims the compensation they deserve. To discuss your case, contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, to schedule a free case evaluation today online or by calling 833-LEGALGA.

Duties of Motorists and Cyclists to Each Other

Motorists and cyclists each have a duty to act with reasonable care while on the road. Drivers, as well as cyclists, must follow the “rules of the road” outlined by Title 40, Chapter 6 of the Georgia Code. If either a cyclist or motorist violates a traffic law, they can be considered at-fault in an accident. In some cases both parties are at-fault, and the issue becomes determining to what degree each party was at fault.

Specific Laws Applying to Cyclists

There are a few specific laws that apply to cyclists in Georgia. These are found in Chapter 6 Article 13 Part 1. Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-294, “every person operating a bicycle upon a roadway shall ride as near to the right side of the roadway as practicable, except when turning left or avoiding hazards to safe cycling.” This generally means a cyclist must remain in a bike lane or on the shoulder of the road unless they are turning left; however it is important to note that if there is a “hazard to safe cycling” then cyclists are allowed to move into the main lane of traffic temporarily.
Bicycles must only be used by one person at a time, unless it is designed to carry more than one person. When riding at night, bicycles must have a white light in the front and a red light or reflector on the back. Adults are not required to wear helmets when riding a bicycle; however children under the age of 16 are required to wear a helmet. Cyclists should also remember that riding a bicycle while legally intoxicated is illegal.

If You Have Been in a Bicycle Wreck, Contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, to Discuss Your Case Today

Bicycle wreck accidents claims, like other types of personal injury claims, can be complex. It is imperative for victims of harm to have qualified and experienced legal counsel on their side. A Kennesaw, Ga personal injury attorney that understands bicycle wreck cases and is familiar with local courts can ensure that your compensation is maximized.

If you have been involved in a bicycle wreck, the qualified bicycle wreck attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, can help you understand your rights and get you the compensation you deserve. If you would like more information, Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, is here to help. Call today to schedule your free consultation at 833-LEGALGA.

Georgia Child Booster Seat Laws

booster seat car children law

In 2002, John Creeks resident Jenny Harty was traveling with her husband and two small children when their car was struck by an SUV in rural Georgia. She told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, “a logging truck ran the stop sign, ignored the rumble strips and hit the tail end of [an oncoming] SUV. And the SUV lost control, hit us and literally shaved off the left side of our van.” Nobody was killed in the accident, but six-year-old Abby Harty was injured and five-year-old Madison Harty needed five surgeries to repair her arm. According to reports, the children’s booster seats “absolutely” saved their lives.

Since that the accident, Jenny Hart has been a staunch advocate for tougher child passenger safety laws in Georgia. She became a car seat technician and has worked with Georgia legislators to get new safety measures passed. Her efforts – and the efforts of like-minded safety advocates – have largely been successful. Georgia used to have somewhat lax child passenger safety laws, but now has laws requiring the use of child seats that are in-line with federal National Highway Traffic Safety Administration standards.

Just like the Georgia law requiring drivers and front seat passengers to wear a seat belt, the law requiring children to be secured in car seats or booster seats is intended to save lives in the event of an auto accident.

Georgia Child Passenger Safety Law

Under Title 40 Chapter 8 Section 76 of the Official Code of Georgia, children under the age of 8 years old are required to sit in a car seat or booster seat. These car or booster seats must be secured in the rear seat, but appropriate for the child’s height and weight, and meet all U.S. federal standards. However, there is an exemption for children under 8 that have a height of over 4’9”.

The precise requirements of the Georgia car seat laws are as follows:

• Children under the age of 4 and under 20 lbs must be in a rear-facing car seat.

• Once a child is over the age of 1 and weighs over 20 lbs, they must be placed in a rear-facing or forward-facing car seat.

• Children aged 4-7 must be placed in a rear or forward facing car seat if they weigh less than 40 lbs.

• Children aged 4-7 that weigh more than 40 lbs must be placed in a forward-facing car seat or a booster seat plus lap and shoulder belt.

The Georgia Office of Highway Safety also recommends that children remain in a booster seat until they are big enough to fit properly in a seat belt.

For More Information, Contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter

The experienced personal injury attorneys at Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, are dedicated to helping auto accident victims get the compensation they deserve. Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, is located in Kennesaw, Georgia, and serves clients throughout the State of Georgia. If you would like more information about Georgia’s child safety passenger laws or if you have been in an accident and would like to discuss your case, contact Williams Elleby Howard & Easter, at 833-LEGALGA to schedule a free personal injury consultation today.

10 Common Mistakes Cyclists Make

A boy wearing a bright red shirt and blue helmet riding a bike with a woman and boy blurred in the background, wearing blue and neon green shirts respectively, also riding bikes on a bike path.

Everyone makes mistakes on the road; however, when you make a mistake on your motorcycle or bicycle, the consequences and injuries can be deadly. Whether you’re riding around your neighborhood or going to work in Cobb County, we’ve put together ten common mistakes cyclists make, and how you can avoid them.

1. Not Knowing Georgia Laws

Just like motorists are required to know the law when driving, you need to know what is and isn’t acceptable when cycling in Georgia. While we did a recent blog post on what your rights are as a bicyclist, it would benefit you to brush up on Georgia bicycle laws and Georgia motorcycle laws, as well.

2. Riding When Fatigued

Riding for 60 miles straight without stops or a snack break is a wonderful accomplishment, but it also affects your ability to react on your bike. Riding a bike, unlike riding in a car where you can relax, involves sitting upright and engaging your core for long periods of time. Make sure you take breaks and refuel your body as necessary when you’re out on long rides. The more alert you are, the safer you’ll be.

3. Failing to Yield

If you’re traveling on a public roadway, you’re going to have to yield to pedestrians or cars at some point. Slow down on curves and make sure you come to a complete stop or yield as necessary at stop signs or traffic lights. Be safe and look before merging. Even if the other drivers don’t see you, you can see them and avoid possible collisions.

4. Cycling on Sidewalks

Don’t do it. If you’re on a bicycle, it may seem safer than the road since there are no cars, but it can be more hazardous. You have a small space to maneuver and have to dodge pedestrians, strollers, and cars backing out of driveways. Stay on the roads or in designated bike lanes when possible.

5. Failing to Signal

Cars have to signal (or they should) when turning and that means you do too. Familiarize yourself with hand signals to let motorists know when you are stopping, turning, or braking. If you’re a motorcyclist, this can still help you even if you have blinkers; the blinkers are small, and some motorists may not be paying attention. If you have a hand up, they may spot you easier, keeping you safe from avoidable collisions.

6. Not Wearing Proper Safety Equipment

Staying visible is crucial for cyclists in Kennesaw. Put a white headlight on your bicycle, as well as a red blinking light on the back of your seat for night riding. Ensure your headlights are bright and in working order if you are on a motorcycle. Regardless of your bike, wear a reflective vest at all times for increased visibility. Always make sure to wear a helmet to help prevent traumatic brain injuries and concussions if you fall.

7. Riding More Than Two Abreast

When you are riding with your friends, make sure that you ride no more than two across the roadway. This is the law, and it ensures that drivers can safely pass with at least three feet between you and their vehicles.

8. Wearing Headphones

Listening to your jam may get you across town in a good mood, but it can seriously affect your cognitive functions and reaction times when in traffic and around cars. Ditch the tunes and pay attention to what is around you to ensure you get to your destination without any accidents.

9. Hugging the Curb

While it may seem like staying close to a curb is a good thing, it causes more wrecks than it prevents. Why? The closer you are to a curb, the less room you have to maneuver if a driver pulls out in front of you, stops suddenly, or opens his door without warning.

10. Swerving Through Lanes

Just because you are on a bike and can zip through traffic doesn’t mean you should. Continuously switching lanes increases the probability of an accident because it puts you in a driver’s blind spot more often than not. Only switch lanes when necessary, such as when turning, for your safety.

Contact Us

Stay visible and alert on your bicycle or motorcycle to avoid cycling accidents. If you or a loved one has been injured in a bicycle or motorcycle accident, then please call Joel Williams at 833-LEGALGA to set up your free consultation today.