Motorcycle accidents in Atlanta can be extremely serious. Motorcyclists have very little protection from cars, vans, trucks, and other vehicles on the road. Even when a motorcyclist isn’t at fault for the accident, he or she may face medical bills, lost wages due to missing work, and undergo physical, emotional, and financial hardships as a result of the accident.
Fortunately, Georgia law allows a motorcyclist who has been injured due to someone else’s fault to claim adequate compensation for his/her injuries. Proving the negligence of the at-fault party is crucial to claiming maximum compensation for your injuries, but it isn’t easy. That is why it’s so critical to find a reliable Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer to handle your case.
When you are searching for the best motorcycle accident lawyer in Atlanta, GA, you don’t have to look further than Humphrey & Ballard Law. Serious motorcycle accidents demand serious legal representation to claim maximum benefits for your injuries. The personal injury lawyers at Humphrey & Ballard Law are highly skilled and experienced in handling different types of car accident lawsuits including motorcycle accident cases.
We have represented hundreds of injured clients in the past and won millions of dollars in compensation on behalf of them. The best thing about working with our team is we won’t charge you a dime until we win your case. Every client is special to us, and we treat them with due respect. You can always take advantage of our free consultation session to see if our lawyers are the best to handle your case. Call 404-341-0499 for a free initial consultation with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer.
How Can a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help With My Compensation Claim?
An Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer from Humphrey & Ballard Law can help with your compensation claim in many ways. When you are injured in a motorcycle accident that isn’t your fault, you should claim adequate compensation for your injuries, property damages, and other financial losses.
Dealing with insurance companies isn’t easy. The insurance company will always try its best to pay out the minimum amount of compensation to the victim. They will cite various reasons and try to convince you that you were partly at fault for the accident. That is where you need an experienced lawyer to step in. Our lawyers have extensive experience negotiating with insurance companies. We will evaluate your case and recommend the best course of action for you.
Our lawyers will negotiate with the at-fault party’s insurance company to get you the maximum amount of compensation for your injuries. If the insurance company tries to minimize your payout, our team will take your case to trial in order to get you the compensation that you rightly deserve. Contact our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers to file your case and obtain maximum compensation for your injuries.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
Many motorcycle accidents in Atlanta are both avoidable and preventable. There are many causes for motorcycle accidents in Atlanta. Here are some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents:
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving is a common cause of motorcycle accidents in Georgia. A driver who is texting, talking on the phone, or consuming food and drinks is more likely to become involved in an accident because he/she fails to see the motorcycle riders around him/her.
Failure to See Motorcycle
Failure to see a motorcycle turn at an intersection is another common reason for motorcycle accidents in Atlanta. The size of a motorcycle makes it difficult for other drivers to see the motorcycle in time to prevent an accident. Motorcycle riders are more likely to make quick turns at intersections increasing the risk of an accident.
Drunk Driving or Drugged Driving
Driving under the influence of alcohol or while intoxicated is another common cause of motorcycle accidents.
Equipment Failure
Faulty mirrors, brakes, or lighting equipment failure is another cause of motorcycle accidents in Atlanta. Motorcycles with faulty mirrors, lighting, and brakes are more likely to get involved in an accident.
Unexpected Pedestrians on the Road
Unexpected pedestrian behavior on the road is another reason for increased motorcycle accidents in Atlanta.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Motorcycle accidents have steadily increased in recent years in Georgia. In fact, there were 139 fatalities in 2017, 154 in 2018, 170 fatalities in 2019, as well as 179 in 2020. The fatalities have increased by 22% from 2017. The Atlanta region accounted for more than 42% of motorcycle crashes during these years. In fact, metro Atlanta has a higher rate of motorcycle accidents compared to rural counties.
What Are the Motorcycle-Specific Laws in Georgia?
Even though motorcyclists should follow all the laws that other vehicles follow on Georgia highways, there are a few motorcycle-specific laws:
- Lane splitting is prohibited. It is easy to split lanes because a motorcycle is smaller than a car. But Georgia law doesn’t allow lane splitting for motorcyclists.
- Helmets are mandatory. Wearing a helmet is mandatory on Georgia roadways.
- Limit two motorcycles to a lane. Two motorcycles can share a lane. It helps increase the safety of the motorcyclists since two side-by-side motorcycles provide greater visibility.
- Have a windshield or wear eyewear. Georgia law mandates that a motorcyclist should either wear protective eyewear or have a windshield on the bike.
What Are the Most Common Injuries Seen in Motorcycle Accidents?
Some of the most common motorcycle accident injuries involve damage to the lower extremities. But chest and head injuries are also common in Atlanta. Here are some of the most common injuries seen in motorcycle accidents in Georgia:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Broken ribs
- Lacerations
- Whiplash
- Internal bleeding
- Broken or amputated limbs
- Facial disfigurement
- Organ damage
- Road rash
- Burn injuries
How Is Fault Determined in an Atlanta Motorcycle Accident?
Georgia is a modified comparative negligence state. If the judge or jury determines that you were 40% at fault for causing the accident, you will be able to collect 60% of the damages. Your lawyer needs to establish 4 important factors to prove the negligence of the at-fault party:
- The at-fault party had a duty to operate the vehicle with reasonable care.
- The at-fault party didn’t operate the vehicle lawfully and with reasonable care.
- The negligence or careless attitude of the at-fault party caused the accident.
- You suffered injuries or damages.
What Type of Compensation Can I Receive for My Motorcycle Accident?
When you are injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be wondering what types of compensation are available to you. You can claim three basic types of damages when you are injured in a motorcycle accident in Atlanta due to someone else’s fault.
- Economic Compensation: Economic compensation is easy to calculate and may include medical expenses, lost wages due to missed work, doctor visits, hospital stays, and more.
- Non-Economic Compensation: Non-economic compensation is harder to calculate and may include pain and suffering, emotional distress, and loss of quality of life due to the injuries sustained as a result of the accident.
- Punitive Damages:Â Punitive damages are usually not meant to compensate the victim but to punish the defendant for his/her reckless and unlawful behavior. Punitive damages help prevent similar future behavior of the at-fault party and deter other drivers from behaving recklessly.
Why Was My Motorcycle Accident Claim Denied?
Motorcycle accident claims can be denied due to many reasons. Insurance companies may cite various reasons to completely deny or pay out the minimum compensation to the victim. Hiring an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer helps increase your chances of getting adequately compensated for your injuries.
Here are some of the most common reasons insurance companies deny a motorcycle accident claim in Atlanta:
- The insurance policy was canceled or lapsed.
- The insurance company doesn’t believe that you were really hurt.
- The at-fault driver wasn’t insured under the policy.
- The insurance company believes that the accident was your fault.
- The insurance company doesn’t think the accident is what caused your injuries.
Are There Time Limits to Filing a Claim in Georgia?
In the state of Georgia, the statute of limitations for civil cases such as motorcycle accidents and other personal injury claims is two years from the date of the injury or death. The victim should file a claim with the court by the statute of limitations date or the case will be forever void.
Call Our Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today
When you are injured in a motorcycle accident in Atlanta, Georgia law allows you to claim compensation from the at-fault party. The motorcycle accident lawyers at Humphrey and Ballard Law are highly skilled, knowledgeable, and experienced in representing your case to obtain maximum benefits for your injuries and property damages. Humphrey and Ballard Law is a full-service personal injury law firm in Atlanta.
Call us at 404-341-0499 now for a free initial consultation with an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer.
