Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Law Firm
The state of Georgia may offer gorgeous weather and beautiful riding conditions for motorcyclists, rolling roads and numerous motorcycle-friendly routes, but riding a motorcycle isn’t always safe in our state. Indeed, Georgia ranks 18th in the nation for states with the highest number of motorcycle crashes, and every year, there are dozens of motorcyclists involved in injury-causing or fatal crashes.
When a car and a motorcycle collide, the chances of the motorcyclist walking away from the crash unscathed are very low. At the law office of Miller Injury Trial Law, our Georgia motorcycle accident attorneys know how devastating these types of crashes are and can work with you to bring forth a motorcycle accident claim for damages. To learn more about your legal rights after a motorcycle accident and how our lawyer can help, please call us today to request your free consultation.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Like most other types of motorcycle vehicle accidents, the top cause of motorcycle accidents in Georgia is negligence. Negligence is the failure to exercise the proper degree of care in a given situation. On the road, negligence may take the form of:
- Swerving
- Performing illegal maneuvers
- Failing to yield
- Failing to signal
- Failing to double-check blind spots
- Speeding
- Driving while distracted
- Driving while drunk
- Driving aggressively
- Otherwise engaging in unsafe road behavior as a motorist
While drivers’ behaviors often cause motorcycle accidents, sometimes, crashes can be caused by factors such as:
- Poor road conditions, such as potholes or other defects in the road
- Animals or other objects on the road
- Poor signage
- Motorcycle or vehicle defects, such as defective brakes or steering equipment
Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents
The average passenger car weighs about 4,000 pounds—much more than a motorcycle. The faster a vehicle is traveling at the time of impact, the more force that’s involved in the collision. A high-speed crash that occurs on the highway could involve devastating—and fatal—amounts of force.
Unlike passenger cars, which offer airbags, side-impact protection, impact-absorption designs, and seatbelts, motorcycles don’t keep their riders safe. If a motorcyclist is involved in a crash, they may be facing severe, permanently disabling, or even fatal injuries. Common injuries in a motorcycle accident include:
- Traumatic brain injuries. Traumatic brain injuries are more common if the motorcyclist is not wearing a helmet at the time of impact.
- Crush and amputation injuries. If a motorcyclist’s limbs are hit with enough force, pinned between the road and the motorcycle, or run over, they could be facing crush and amputation injuries.
- Spinal cord injuries. The spinal cord can be damaged during a crash, leading to permanent paralysis or partial paralysis from the injury site and down.
- Internal injuries. If the body is hit with force, internal bleeding or internal organ puncture injuries are both common.
- Road rash injuries. Sliding on the road before coming to a complete stop can cause road burn/road rash injuries that are painful, at risk of infection, and result in permanent scarring.
- Psychological injuries. Motorcyclists who are involved in serious crashes often develop psychological injuries in addition to their physical injuries.
Of course, the above list is not inclusive. Other injuries are possible. The extent of injuries depends on many factors, including any protective gear the motorcyclist is wearing at the time of the crash.
Damages Available in a Motorcycle Accident Claim
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident caused by the negligence of another driver, our experienced Georgia motorcycle accident attorneys want to help you recover a settlement that fully compensates you for your losses. By filing a motorcycle accident claim, you may be able to recover compensation for the full value of your economic and noneconomic losses.
Economic damages are those damages you’ve suffered that are purely financial in nature. These types of damages include medical expenses, lost wages, and property damage costs. Noneconomic damages refer to the intangible losses you’ve suffered that don’t have an obvious or concrete economic value, such as the value of your pain, suffering, emotional distress, or disability. Both types of damages are available in a motorcycle accident claim.
Proving Liability
When a motorcycle accident occurs, any insurance companies involved will conduct an investigation into the cause of the accident in order to determine fault, or liability (legal responsibility). In many cases, both insurance companies are in agreement about fault. If there is evidence that the other party was at fault, the insurance company representing the at-fault party may agree to an out-of-court settlement.
If an out-of-court settlement cannot be reached, however, the burden of proving the liability of the defendant will rest on the plaintiff. If your case goes to court, you’ll need to provide compelling evidence that proves that the at-fault party owed you a duty of care, breached the duty of care owed to you by doing something negligent, that the breach was the proximate cause of your accident and injuries, and that you’ve suffered actual damages as a result.
How Our Georgia Motorcycle Accident Law Firm Can Help
Our Georgia motorcycle accident lawyers will handle all elements of your claim, including opening an investigation into your accident, proving liability, calculating damages, negotiating your settlement, and representing you in court if need be. We are skilled investigators, negotiations, and litigators with a track record of success.
If you have been involved in a motorcycle crash, or if you have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, there is hope of recovering monetary compensation. When you call our law firm, we’ll immediately start building your case and exploring your options for compensation. We know how much you’ve lost and how much is on the line, and we want to help. We’ll aggressively advocate for you to improve your chances of recovering every cent you’ve lost.
To schedule a free consultation with our Georgia motorcycle accident law firm, please visit our law office today, send us a message online, or call us directly at 855-44MILLER. We offer free consultations and always work on a contingency fee basis.
