Motorcycle accidents in Alpharetta, Georgia, can be extremely serious at times. You may be in need of an Alpharetta motorcycle accident lawyer. Motorcycles have little protection from cars and other larger vehicles because they don’t have the surrounding structure. Hence, motorcycle accident injuries can be severe and even fatal. But even when a motorcyclist isn’t clearly at fault for an accident, he or she can suffer more than the driver or passengers in the other vehicle.
If you or a loved one is currently suffering due to a motorcycle accident, you may find yourself facing medical bills and lost wages from missing work. On the other hand, insurance companies love to point the finger at the motorcyclist in order to deny their rightful claim or pay as little compensation as possible. Motorcycle accidents are quite complex and require legal expertise from a professional who has handled similar cases in the past.
Alpharetta has plenty of personal injury law firms, but all of these firms are not created equal. Your extensive research is crucial to picking the right motorcycle accident law firm in Alpharetta to handle your case. H Groves Law employs highly specialized personal injury attorneys who have represented hundreds of clients in proving their motorcycle accident claims and winning millions of dollars in compensation.
At H Groves Law, we offer a free case evaluation and a Zero Fee Guarantee, which means you don’t have to pay anything until our experienced lawyers prove your claim and obtain the necessary compensation that you rightly deserve. Call (770) 329-1868 for a free initial consultation with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer at H Groves Law in Alpharetta, Georgia!
How Can An Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help With My Compensation Claim?
Even though you are legally not required to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer to represent your claim, an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Alpharetta can help you with your case by:
- Launching a comprehensive investigation into your motorcycle accident
- Collecting and preserving important pieces of evidence to support and prove your claim
- Finding and interviewing witnesses and experts to testify on your behalf
- Negotiating with the insurance companies to get you the maximum amount of compensation that you rightly deserve
- Taking your case to trial if the insurance company fails to pay out adequate compensation or denies it completely
What Are Some Of The Most Common Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents In Alpharetta?
While many motorcycle accidents in Alpharetta are both avoidable and preventable with a little caution, the majority of serious accidents happen due to the negligent and careless actions of others. It doesn’t mean motorcyclists are innocent and not to be blamed in any way for the incident. Some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in Alpharetta include:
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
- Texting or calling while driving
- Illegal passing
- Tailgating
- Unsafe lane changes
- Impaired driving due to alcohol or drugs
- Failure to yield when making a left turn
- Opening a car door into the path of an unsuspecting motorcyclist
- Motorcycle defects
- Inexperienced drivers
- Hazardous road conditions
- Unsuspected pedestrians on the road
Motorcycle Accident Statistics In Alpharetta, Georgia
There were 3,948 motorcycle crashes and a total of 4,269 motorcyclists involved in crashes in Georgia in 2019. In fact, motorcycle fatalities have increased statewide in recent years. For example, there were 139 fatalities due to motorcycle accidents in 2017 and 154 fatalities in 2018. This number increased to 170 in 2019 and 179 in 2020. Motorcycle accident fatalities have increased by 22% from 2017 to 2019.
Motorcycle-Specific Laws In Georgia?
Operators of motorcycles are required to follow all traffic laws just like any other passenger vehicle driver in Georgia. But there are additional motorcycle-specific laws that you need to follow when operating a motorcycle in Alpharetta, GA:
- You should apply for a Class MP (motorcycle permit) to operate a motorcycle in Georgia once you are 16 years old.
- If you are 17, you should apply for a class M license with parent/guardian consent.
- Riders must wear helmets for their own safety.
- The motorcycle should have a windshield unless you wear proper eye protection equipment
- The handlebars of the bike cannot be more than 15 inches above its seat.
- The motorcycle should have at least one side mirror.
- The headlamp and tail lights should be illuminated at all times while you ride your motorcycle.
- You should have at least $25,000 of property damage insurance coverage.
- You should carry at least $50,000 of bodily injury & death insurance coverage for two or more people.
Common Injuries Seen In Motorcycle Accidents
The most common motorcycle injuries are usually to the lower extremities of the rider or passenger. But head and chest injuries are also common. Here are some of the common motorcycle injuries seen in Alpharetta, GA:
- Spinal cord injuries
- TBI or traumatic brain injuries
- Lacerations and burn injuries
- Whiplash and broken ribs
- Broken limbs
- Amputated limbs
- Organ damage and internal bleeding
- Facial disfigurement
- And more…
How Is Fault Determined In An Alpharetta Motorcycle Accident?
Negligence has to be proven in order to assert a claim for a motorcycle accident injury in Georgia. Your lawyer should demonstrate that the other driver’s recklessness or negligence lead to the accident and subsequent injuries to you. Here are the most important points to prove in order to prove negligence:
- Every motorist on the roadway has a duty to obey the traffic laws of Georgia.
- The at-fault driver breaches his or her duty of care by driving recklessly.
- The accident occurred as a result of his/her reckless driving.
- You were injured as a direct result of the accident and not by any other means.
What Type Of Compensation Could I Receive For My Motorcycle Accident?
The type of compensation you receive may depend on the facts surrounding your case and the seriousness of your injuries. You are usually entitled to one or more of the following:
Medical expenses
You are entitled to claim past and future medical expenses from the responsible party. Medical treatments may include hospitalization, doctor visits, physical therapy, rehabilitation, and more.
Lost wages
You will also receive past and future wages including vacation, bonuses, commissions, sick time, and other perks of your job.
Pain and suffering
You may suffer long-term psychological trauma and physical pain as a result of the injuries you suffered after the accident. Putting a dollar amount of this pain can be difficult. An experienced lawyer knows how to accurately value this portion of your claim.
Property damage
You should be reimbursed for the cost to repair or replace your motorcycle and any other property including helmets, jackets, and protective gear.
Punitive damages
Punitive damages are not meant to compensate the victim but to punish the negligent party for his/her reckless behavior. It will also deter other drivers from engaging in such activities.
Why Was My Motorcycle Accident Claim Denied?
There could be many reasons for the denial of your motorcycle accident claim. Here are some of the most common reasons the at-fault driver’s insurance company uses to deny your claim:
Delayed medical care
When you haven’t received prompt medical care for your injuries, the insurance adjuster can argue that the injuries were caused by another incident or accident. They may also claim that your injuries were not very serious.
Bias
Many insurance companies and adjusters stereotype motorcycle riders as reckless and accident-prone. This could be another reason for denying your claim though they may not admit it in public.
Disputes about liability
The insurance company may claim that you were responsible for the crash. If your claim has been denied for this reason, you need to collect additional evidence to prove your case. That’s why you should work with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in town when you are involved in a serious motorcycle accident.
Pre-existing conditions
If the medical report reveals that you had a previous injury similar to the current one, the insurance company may try to deny your claim. An experienced lawyer knows how to deal with such a situation.
Lack of coverage
If the negligent driver didn’t have adequate coverage, the insurance company can deny your claim. An experienced lawyer will review the insurance policy and explore other avenues of compensation for you.
Are There Time Limits To File a Claim In Georgia?
Georgia’s statute of limitations comes into effect after two years. You have two years from the date of the accident or injury to file your motorcycle accident claim in Alpharetta, GA.
Contact An Alpharetta Motorcycle Accident Lawyer From H Groves Law Today!
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Alpharetta, GA, you are entitled to claim adequate compensation from the responsible party. You need to prove the negligence of the at-fault driver in order to obtain maximum compensation for your injuries. H Groves Law employs highly specialized personal injury attorneys who have represented hundreds of motorcycle accident victims in the past. Call (770) 329-1868 for a free initial consultation with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer at H Groves Law in Alpharetta, Georgia!
