A motorcycle accident can cause serious consequences and even fatalities because motorcycles do not have a protective structure. The injuries can completely change your life. It is expensive to recover from these injuries. The accident can even cause permanent disabilities. A motorcycle accident can, therefore, negatively impact the life of your family.
Once you decide to file a motorcycle accident claim in Athens, GA, we encourage you to hire a good Athens motorcycle accident lawyer. Your lawyer will explain your rights, provide legal guidance and advice, protect your rights, build a strong case, and negotiate for a fair settlement.
We have the best motorcycle accident lawyers in Athens. At H Groves Law, we serve our clients in Athens. We have the resources and experience to help you win your case. We are committed to protecting your rights. So, we will not let the insurer take advantage of you. Call us at (770) 329-1868 to schedule your FREE consultation today.
How Can a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help With My Compensation Claim?
A motorcycle accident can have a big impact on your life and the life of your family. If you were not responsible for the accident, you can seek compensation. You can use the funds to pay for your medical bills. If you want to file a motorcycle accident claim, here is how our personal injury lawyers can help you:
Collect Evidence
It is crucial to collect strong evidence for your motorcycle accident claim. Luckily, your lawyer can investigate your accident and collect the necessary evidence. Your lawyer will use the evidence to build a strong case. If you are collecting the evidence on your own, you might not collect all the necessary evidence.
Assess Liability
Your lawyer will work hard to prove the party responsible for your motorcycle accident. The lawyer will review the evidence and tell you the type of claim you can bring. Once your lawyer identifies the responsible party, they can now file your claim.
Calculate Damages
A motorcycle accident can leave you with serious injuries. It is, however, not easy to calculate the value of your motorcycle accident claim. Your lawyer can hire specialists to help them determine the full value of your motorcycle accident claim.
Negotiate a Fair Settlement
Do not rush to accept the first settlement offer of the insurance company. In fact, the insurance company may bully you to accept their low settlement offer. Hire a lawyer to help you negotiate a fair settlement. Your lawyer will protect your rights.
Take Your Case to Trial
Insurance companies usually resolve motorcycle accident claims through out-of-court settlements. It is, however, not easy to get full compensation from the insurance company. Your lawyer will take your case to court to ensure you get fair compensation.
What are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcycle accidents happen regularly on our roads. It is possible to avoid and prevent some of these motorcycle accidents. One of the main causes of motorcycle accidents is distracted driving. If the driver does not focus on the road, they can cause hit a motorcycle.
Here are the most common causes of motorcycle accidents:
Distracted Driving
If the driver texts, talks on the phone, talks to passengers, or even eats while driving, they can cause a motorcycle accident. A motorcycle is smaller than a car. Therefore, if the driver is not paying attention, they can collide or even crash into a motorcycle.
Failure to Pay Attention to Motorcycles
If the driver focuses on the vehicles on the road, then they can fail to notice the motorcycles. It is not easy to spot motorcycles. The driver can see them when it is too late. Drivers must pay attention to pedestrians, motorcycles, and other vehicles on the road.
Drunk Driving or Drugged Driving
It is illegal to drink and drive or take drugs and drive in Georgia. If a driver drives under the influence of alcohol or drugs, the driver can spend time in jail. Drugs and alcohol can impair the judgment of the driver. They can even slow down the reactions of the driver.
Faulty Lighting, Brakes, or Mirror
It is the duty of the driver to maintain their vehicles. If the driver drives with faulty mirrors, lighting, or brakes, then the driver can be held liable. For instance, if the brakes are faulty, the driver may not stop their vehicle on time. They can, therefore, cause a motorcycle accident due to faulty brakes.
Unexpected Pedestrians on the Road
People are always busy. They are always rushing from one place to another. They can, therefore, enter the road unexpectedly. If the driver was not paying attention, they can knock them. In fact, they can stop their vehicles suddenly causing a collision accident. Pedestrian accidents are very dangerous.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics in Georgia
Motorcycle deaths have been steadily increasing over the past few years in the state of Georgia. The number of motorcyclist deaths was 137 in 2007, 154 in 2018, 170 in 2019, and 179 in 2020. The number of motorcyclist deaths increased by 22% from 2017 to 2019.
What Are the Motorcycle-Specific Laws in Georgia?
The state of Georgia requires ALL operators of motorcycles to wear helmets when operating or riding their motorcycles. The motorcycle helmets need to meet Department of Transportation helmet standards.
The state of Georgia requires the operators of motorcycles to be at least 16 years of age. The operators must, however, successfully pass a Georgia motorcycle license test. Their license needs to have a Class M designation.
The state of Georgia also requires ALL operators of motorcycles to carry auto insurance coverage. The coverage must meet the state minimum of coverage.
The state of Georgia requires ALL operators of motorcycles to provide seating for their passengers. Passengers should not ride motorcycles without seats.
The state of Georgia requires ALL motorcycles to have side mirrors, turn signals, and brake lights.
The Most Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents?
It is risky to ride a motorcycle because it is less stable. If you get into a motorcycle accident, you are more likely to suffer serious injuries. In fact, a person is more likely to die in a motorcycle accident. Here are the most common injuries seen in motorcycle accidents:
Broken Bones
If you riding your motorcycle and a vehicle hits you, you are more likely to get thrown off your bike. Motorcycles do not have seatbelts or other protections. If you are thrown off your motorcycle, the impact can break your bones. It takes time to recover from broken bones.
Road Rash
If you are thrown off your motorcycle, you can also slide across the road. If you are not wearing protective gear, your skin can peel away to expose your muscles underneath. It is best to wear protective gear to avoid road rash.
Head and Brain Injuries
A motorcycle accident can cause head and brain injuries. If you are thrown off your bike, you can hit something hard. For example, if your head hits another vehicle or the road, you can suffer head and brain injuries.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries can lead to permanent disabilities. Unfortunately, motorcyclists are not protected because their bikes do not have protective covers. If you fall off your bike, you can injure your spine.
How is Fault Determined in Athens Motorcycle Accident?
The state of Georgia is a comparative negligence state. The court, therefore, assigns a percentage to every party involved in the motorcycle accident. If you are only responsible for under 50% of your motorcycle accident, you are eligible for compensation. It is best to hire an Athens motorcycle accident lawyer to help you determine the fault in your motorcycle accident.
What Type of Compensation Can I Receive for My Motorcycle Accident?
Here are the types of compensation you can receive for your motorcycle accident:
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover the monetary losses you suffered in your motorcycle accident. It is easy to calculate these damages because they are subjective. They include lost wages, medical costs, and more.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages cover the pain and suffering you suffered in your motorcycle accident. It is difficult to calculate these damages because do not have actual value. They include stress, loss consortium, and more.
Punitive Action
The court awards punitive damages to punish the party responsible for your motorcycle accident. If the responsible party was reckless or negligent, the court uses punitive damages to prevent the responsible party from repeating the same action in the future.
Why Was Your Motorcycle Accident Claim Denied?
The insurance company can deny your motorcycle accident claim because of so many reasons, including:
- The insurance of the responsible party had lapsed or was canceled
- The insurance policy did not cover the driver
- The insurance company found that you were more than 50% responsible for your motorcycle accident
- It was found you did not sustain injuries in the motorcycle accident in question
Are There Time Limits to Filing a Claim in Georgia?
The time limit to filing a claim in Georgia is two years from the date of your motorcycle accident. This is called the statute of limitations. If you lost a family member in a motorcycle accident, you have two years from the death of the wrongful death to file a wrongful death claim.
How H Groves Law Can Help With Your Claim
If you were hurt or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, you can seek compensation for your injuries and losses. It is, however, hard to get compensation from the insurance company of the responsible party. We encourage you to hire an experienced and skilled lawyer to help you get what you rightfully deserve.
Working with the right Athens motorcycle accident lawyer can help you understand your legal options. Your lawyer has your best interest at heart. You can trust your lawyer to fight for your rights and win your case. Do not trust the insurance company to pay the full settlement.
If you do not have strong legal representation, the insurer can deny your case. The insurer denies your case because they know you are less likely to win your case if you take it to court. Insurance companies usually hire the best motorcycle accident lawyers to represent them.
At H Groves Law, we understand you and your family are at a disadvantage. We are ready to help you gather evidence and tell you your legal options. We will work hard to get you and your family the compensation you rightfully deserve. Our motorcycle accident lawyers at H Groves Law are ready to review your case for FREE. Contact us at (770) 329-1868 to know your legal options.
