In 2016, there were a total of 196,277 motorcycles registered in the state of Georgia, and this number continues to increase every year. As motorcycling continues to rise in popularity, so too do motorcycle-related traffic accidents. Motorcycle accidents are serious and can often be fatal because motorcycles do not provide the same amount of protection that cars and trucks do. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you should contact a motorcycle lawyer near McDonough, Georgia, who can help you with your case.
If you have been involved or injured in a motorcycle accident, you should consider speaking with a motorcycle accident lawyer who is experienced in these types of cases. Motorcycle accident lawyers can help determine what type of case a motorcyclist may have if she or he been injured in an accident. A qualified motorcycle accident attorney can also help determine what type of compensation you may be entitled to.
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident you should call a personal injury firm serving McDonough with a good track record and experience dealing with these types of cases. Often the injuries involved in motorcycle accidents can be severe and serious. If you have suffered a severe injury from a motorcycle, you will want an experienced motorcycle wreck lawyer who can do everything they can to help you during this difficult time.
What Causes Motorcycle Accidents in McDonough, GA?
Motorcyclists have a much higher chance of being involved in a fatal accident on roadways than regular vehicle drivers. This is because motorcycles do not have seat belts, airbags, and other forms of protection that cars do. Motorcycles are also small, which means that they are not as visible and can often be overlooked by distracted drivers.
Motorcycle accident lawyers who are experienced in these types of accidents likely have an understanding of many of the different reasons motorcycle accidents can occur, including but not limited to:
Lane Splitting:
Lane splitting occurs when a motorcyclist straddles the barrier dividing two lanes. This leaves the motorcyclist in both lanes and can cause accidents if drivers are distracted or fail to see the motorcyclist.
Left Turns:
These types of accidents occur when drivers make a left turn in front of a motorcyclist and hit him or her.
Distracted Driving:
Motorcycles are small and are not as visible to drivers. Inattentive drivers are dangerous to motorcyclists because they are less likely to spot a motorcycle if they are driving while distracted.
Speeding:
When a person driving a car is speeding and hits a motorcyclist, it can lead to a fatality or severe injury due to the small sizes of motorcycles. In addition to this, if a motorcyclist is speeding and has to make a sudden change in speed, it is very easy for them to lose control and crash.
Alcohol:
A large percentage of motorcycle accidents are caused by drivers and riders who are under the influence of alcohol. In 2015, the Fatalist Analysis Reporting system reported that 25 percent of the motorcyclists who were killed in motorcycle crashes had a blood alcohol concentration at or above .08. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident involving a drunk driver, you may be eligible to sue for negligence and should contact a car accident lawyer to determine the steps you should take to do so.
Debris or bad road conditions:
A motorcycle that hits debris or encounters bad or unsafe road conditions can easily lose control and crash.
Rounding a corner too quickly:
A motorcyclist who is speeding may lose control of his or her motorcycle when attempting to round a corner too quickly.
The type of injuries a motorcyclist sustains from a motorcycle accident will be determined by the severity of the crash. Most motorcycle crashes in Georgia are caused by other drivers, which is a big part of determining what type of compensation an injured person can receive. A qualified motorcycle wreck lawyer can help determine who was at fault in your motorcycle accident case to determine if you should proceed with seeking compensation.
Being in a motorcycle accident can lead to catastrophic injuries or even death, which is why it is important to speak to a qualified motorcycle accident lawyer if you have recently purchased a motorcycle and would like more information on the steps you should take in the event that you do get injured in a motorcycle accident.
Common Types of Motorcycle Injuries
Injuries incurred in motorcycle accidents can be severe. Some common types of injuries motorcyclists can receive from motorcycle accidents include:
Fractured or broken bones:
Broken knees and legs are common in motorcycle accidents when motorcyclists come into contact with the road or another vehicle.
Bruising, road rash, and scrapes:
When a motorcyclist comes into contact with the road, they can get bruising, cuts, and scrapes as they slide on the road.
Head and neck injuries:
Head injuries can be extremely severe, especially if the motorcyclist is not wearing a helmet. Head or neck injuries can cause brain damage, loss of motor skill and even death.
Spinal cord injuries:
This type of catastrophic injury can cause loss of function or movement in legs or more.
The severity of your injury will determine how much compensation to which you are entitled. Your motorcycle accident lawyer will review your medical reports, the accident report, and any other evidence to gain a full understanding of the circumstances surrounding your accident. Your motorcycle wreck lawyer will do what they can to help you obtain the right compensation for the injuries you have sustained from your motorcycle accident.
If your motorcycle accident was caused by a drunk driver or a driver who was driving while impaired, your personal injury lawyer might even try to seek punitive damages, which are charges inflicted upon a defendant who has exhibited extreme recklessness. This type of charge is used by the courts as a form of punishment. Speak to a motorcycle accident attorney if your injury is related to drunk driving to see what kind of charges you can bring forth in court.
What Do I Do if I’ve Been Injured in a Motorcycle Accident?
If you have been in a motorcycle accident, the first thing you should do after seeking medical treatment is to consult a qualified and experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. A motorcycle accident attorney will help guide you through the process of what to do to help protect your rights and navigate through this difficult time in your life.
Here is what you should do immediately following a motorcycle accident:
- Call the police immediately
- Remain at the scene of the accident
- File a police report and be sure to obtain a copy for yourself and your motorcycle wreck lawyer
- Never admit your fault
- Take photos of the scene of the accident. This includes damaged vehicles, injuries, skid marks, and more. Your motorcycle accident lawyer will require copies of these photos to build your case.
- Gather contact information from parties involved. This includes witnesses.
- Exchange insurance information
- Keep a record of medical reports, appointments, struggles you have encountered since the accident, meetings you have missed, shifts from work you have missed, and any activities you are no longer able to perform because of your injuries
- Contact a motorcycle accident lawyer near McDonough, GA, to help you build a strong case
Georgia’s statute of limitations states that you have two years from the day of your accident to file a claim against the person responsible for your injuries, while the statute of limitations to file claims for property damage is four years. This is why it is important to speak to a motorcycle wreck lawyer as soon as you can so that you can file a claim within the respective time limits. This is important because if your motorcycle accident attorney cannot reach a settlement or negotiation with the other driver and their insurance company, your motorcycle accident lawyer will likely recommend that you file a suit, and this must be done before the statute of limitations for your motorcycle accident runs out.
To file a claim or a settlement after you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you should speak to an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. You should seek a motorcycle wreck lawyer who has experience dealing with these types of cases. A qualified motorcycle accident attorney will work with you to determine who was at fault for the accident, the type of compensation you are entitled to, and the steps you should take when filing your claim.
Your motorcycle accident lawyer should know motorcycle accident laws in Georgia and should also be able to answer any questions you may have about your case. When trying to determine the type of settlement you are entitled to, your motorcycle accident lawyer will obtain and review all the reports associated with the accident including the accident report, medical reports, and any applicable witness statements.
Your motorcycle accident lawyer will also inspect the scene of the accident and review all the evidence. An experienced motorcycle wreck attorney will also speak to crash reconstruction specialists and other types of accident professionals if necessary. They will also contact any witnesses and gather all necessary evidence to construct a case that will help you get the settlement you need.
Don’t let your injury stop you from fighting for your rights. You deserve compensation after receiving an injury from a motorcycle accident. Speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer immediately after your accident to get the compensation you deserve.
What Are Georgia’s Motorcycle Insurance Requirements?
Georgia law requires all drivers to have liability insurance coverage with the following minimum limits:
- Bodily injury: $25,000 per person involved as well as $50,000 per crash
- Property damage: $25,00 per crash
Ask a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer: What Type of Compensation Can I Receive?
Your motorcycle accident lawyer will help determine what type of compensation you are entitled to after establishing what caused the accident and who was at fault. Georgia is an at-fault state, which means that the person who was at fault for the accident is the one who is responsible for paying for the damages. If you are unsure who was at fault in your accident, speak to a motorcycle accident attorney who can review the evidence and accident report to determine who was at fault.
Your motorcycle accident lawyer will help determine what type of compensation you are entitled to after determining who was at fault for the accident. If you and your motorcycle accident lawyer determine that the other party was at fault for the motorcycle accident, you may be eligible for the following compensation:
- Any medical bills related to your injury or injuries
- Damage done to your vehicle
- Damage done to property
- Loss of wages
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
- Emotional distress
- Loss of the ability to make income in the future
- Other costs resulting from the accident
Your motorcycle wreck attorney will also advise you of what Georgia law requires from those who have been injured in a motorcycle accident if you do seek compensation. You must be able to prove the following:
- The person responsible for your injuries failed to follow safety rules and obligations on the road, resulting in your injury or injuries
- You have suffered personal damages, whether financial, emotional or bodily due to the injuries incurred in the accident
Your motorcycle accident attorney will also advise you of the Comparative Negligence Law in Georgia, which states that even if you were partially responsible for the accident (less than 50 percent responsible), you can still recover damages.
Motorcycle accident lawyers who are experienced with this law will also advise you that if you are at fault for over 50 percent of the damages, you will not receive any compensation at all.
Reach Out to a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near McDonough, GA Today
Contact a skilled injury lawyer near McDonough at The Weinstein Firm today to help build you a settlement that gives you the compensation you deserve. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will look through all the necessary reports and evidence, speak to any witnesses, and build a case that holds the person who injured you responsible. Don’t let your injuries hold you back.
Call one of our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers serving McDonough, Georgia today to get more information about what we can do to help you during this difficult time and what steps you should take. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will help you seek compensation for medical treatment, lost wages, rehabilitation, and any other expenses you are entitled to receive.
