Motorcycle riders have little protection and can easily sustain catastrophic injuries in a collision. Motorcycle riders may also suffer costly property damage and emotional anguish. The harm caused by a motorbike cannot be reversed, but the civil courts provide victims with a financial remedy. Speak with a highly experienced injury lawyer immediately after a motorcycle accident.
The Herro Law Firm has handled motorcycle accidents in Norcross and surrounding areas for years. We have assisted thousands of people in recovering after accidents similar to yours. Our goal is to defend the rights of motorcycle accident victims and represent them in talks with insurance providers who don’t have their best interests at heart.
Our Norcross motorcycle accident lawyers provide free consultations with no commitment to retain our firm. We also operate on a contingency-fee-basis, which means you won’t have to pay anything unless we obtain compensation.
Get in touch with our Norcross auto accident lawyers today at (404) 433-6876 or online.
How Can a Lawyer Help With My Motorcycle Accident Compensation Claim?
Hiring a Norcross motorcycle accident lawyer is crucial if you are involved in an accident. This is because an attorney will be able to do many things for you, which include:
Case Preparation
We will conduct a thorough investigation in order to identify parties who are liable to compensate you. We will gather evidence to support your case and estimate the evaluate the value of your claim.
File a Claim
The claims process can be long and daunting and is the last thing you’ll want to deal with. We can handle all this for you, including filling out paperwork, answering calls, and obtaining a detailed record of your losses.
Negotiations
We will handle negotiations with insurers on your behalf. The truth is that insurance companies frequently pay victims far less than they are entitled to. Thankfully, the right attorney can negotiate for a fair settlement, so you’re compensated for property damage and your injuries.
Trial Preparation & Representation
Suppose the negotiation process doesn’t go as planned. If the insurance company refuses to offer a fair settlement amount, we are prepared to take your case to court and provide the skilled, aggressive representation that you deserve.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
While motorcyclists are often blamed when involved in accidents, careless truck and car drivers account for most of these mishaps.
The following are common causes of motorcycle crashes.
Over Speeding
Suppose the road and weather conditions are acceptable. In that case, drivers who exceed the posted speed limit require at least 16 vehicle lengths to successfully slow down or stop to avoid colliding with a car or motorcycle in front of them. Motorcyclists are more likely to have catastrophic injuries because speeding increases the force of the impact in a collision.
Unsafe Lane Maneuvers
Drivers risk colliding with motorcycle riders or causing them to be hit by another vehicle if they attempt to swerve out of the way when they fail to signal before changing lanes or forget to check their blind zones for approaching motorbikes.
Intoxication
Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs increases the chances of an accident because vision, reaction time, judgment, vision, and other driving skills are significantly diminished.
Left Turns
Before making a left turn onto a road or at an intersection, drivers must yield to oncoming traffic. If they try to beat the light or fail to see a motorcycle behind a passenger car, they could be held accountable for any accidents.
Open Car Doors
Before opening the doors to get in or out of a car parked beside the road, the occupants should look for approaching traffic to avoid getting in or out in a rider’s way.
Road Hazards
No matter how competent they are, motorcyclists might lose control when encountering potholes, asphalt fissures, and debris. In an injury compensation case, a city or local municipality may be held responsible for restitution if the accident was caused by poor road maintenance.
Georgia Motorcycle Accident Statistics
The Georgia Motorcycle Traffic Safety Fact Sheet data revealed that motorcycle riders accounted for 11% of all traffic fatalities in 2019. The number of fatal motorcycle accidents in Georgia has risen considerably in recent years. Motorcycle fatalities climbed by 22% between 2017 and 2019.
Other key findings include:
- 23% of motorcycle operator fatalities in Georgia are between the ages of 25 and 34.
- In accidents, 83% of motorcycle riders wore helmets.
- Speeding was a factor in 18% of fatal motorcycle accidents.
- The total cost of motorcycle-related emergency room visits and hospitalizations was $221 million.
What Are the Motorcycle-Specific Laws in Georgia?
Every motorist is expected to follow all traffic rules and be considerate of other road users. Georgia also has laws specific to motorcycles.
Here are examples of motorcycle-specific laws in Georgia:
- All riders in Georgia must wear a helmet that meets the Department of Transportation helmet standards at all times.
- Eye protection is mandatory unless your motorcycle has a windscreen.
- Lane splitting is prohibited.
- Only two motorcycles can ride next to each other in the same lane.
- Your headlamp and tail lights must be on at all times when riding on a motorcycle.
- One rear-view mirror is a must-have.
- All motorcycles must have turn signals (unless manufactured before 1972).
What Are the Most Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents?
Sadly, it’s not uncommon for motorcycle accidents to result in catastrophic injuries like spinal cord damage or even death.
The most common motorcycle accident injuries include:
- Broken bones
- Crushed limbs
- Head and traumatic brain injuries
- Road rash
- Internal injuries
- Burn injuries
- Muscle damage
- Neck and back injuries
What Type of Compensation Can I Receive for My Motorcycle Accident?
Every motorcycle accident case is different, so there is no definite figure for what your claim is worth. The amount of compensation you can receive will depend on factors like the severity of your injuries, if you are left disabled or permanently scarred, your recovery time, etc.
Call our Norcross motorcycle accident lawyers at (404) 433-6876 to get an estimate of what your case may be worth.
There are three types of damages motorcycle accident victims can recover.
Economic Damages
These are damages/losses that have financial value. Economic damages in your case may include:
- Medical bills
- Lost income
- Property damage costs
- Reduced future earning capacity
Non-Economic Damages
These refer to those damages that do not have set financial values. Non-economic damages in your motorcycle accident case may account for:
- Pain and suffering
- Disability
- Disfigurement and scarring
- Reduced quality of life
Punitive Damages
These are rare for motorcycle accident claims, but punitive damages can be awarded in cases where the party at fault showed malicious intent to cause harm or extreme negligence. They are designed to punish the liable party and discourage others from reckless behavior.
Why Was My Motorcycle Accident Claim Denied?
These are the most often cited reasons insurers give for denying claims or paying less than the entire amount, according to claims adjusters, who evaluate insurance claims for a living.
Policy Limits
Every insurance includes a cap on how much it will reimburse in the event of an accident. If your claim exceeds the at-fault driver’s policy limits, their insurance company may deny your claim.
Policy Coverage
What does your policy cover? Different policies cover different scenarios. Suppose the at-fault driver’s insurance does not cover your unique situation; in that case, they can deny your claim
You Were Breaking the Law
If you broke state or federal laws when the accident occurred, your insurer might reject your claim even if you have proper coverage and enough of it. Driving without a permit would be one instance of such. Another is if you were drunk or under the influence of drugs while operating your motorcycle.
Additional Reasons
Additionally, an insurer has the right to reject a claim if it is deemed fraudulent or if you could have prevented the accident. Among the red flags that insurers regularly look out for are:
- Not informing the police or your insurer right after an accident.
- Not getting any necessary medical care right away after the accident. This could raise concerns that you are claiming injuries that weren’t caused by the collision.
- You gave inaccurate information when you bought the insurance, which the insurer might discover while looking into your claim.
Are There Time Limits for Filing a Motorcycle Accident Claim?
The details of the responsible party’s insurance coverage policy will determine how soon you must file a motorcycle insurance claim in Georgia. Most insurance companies prefer to be informed of a collision as soon as it occurs.
Suing someone is a different matter. According to O.C.G.A. 9-3-33, you typically have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. There are some rare exceptions where this deadline can be extended.
Call Our Skilled Norcross Motorcycle Accident Lawyers!
If you were injured in a motorbike accident, the path to recovery is long and stressful. In addition to property damage and medical bills, you might have lost wages and be forced to deal with pain and suffering due to your injuries. You shouldn’t be forced to shoulder the costs if someone else caused your accident.
The skilled motorcycle accident attorneys at The Herro Law Firm will vigorously defend your rights and fight for the financial compensation you deserve and need. Call our Norcross law firm today at (404) 433-6876 to schedule a free consultation.
