A motorcycle accident can cause personal injuries and a lot of damages. It can, therefore, cost you a ton of money to recover from your injuries and damages. If you did not cause the motorcycle accident, you do not have to pay for anything. Hire a College Park motorcycle accident lawyer to help you seek compensation.
It is important to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer. Why? The lawyer can collect better evidence. They will help you navigate the complex laws. They can negotiate settlements on your behalf. So, you do not have to deal with insurance companies. In short, a lawyer will work with you to get you the maximum settlement.
If you live in College Park, GA area and you are looking for reliable motorcycle accident lawyers, contact us at 404-341-0499 to find out how we can help you. At Humphrey & Ballard Law, our auto accident attorneys are ready to help you with your motorcycle crash case.
How Can a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help With My Compensation Claim?
We do not recommend you seek compensation on your own. It can take time to understand the complicated laws. If you spend more time learning the laws, you will waste your precious time, increasing your chances of losing your case. It is, therefore, crucial to contact a motorcycle accident lawyer after your accident.
Here is how a motorcycle accident lawyer can help with your compensation claim:
Do Not Accept a Low Settlement Offer
Once the at-fault party contacts their insurance company, the insurance company may contact you to attempt to resolve the claim out of court. The insurance company will, however, offer you a low settlement offer. If you have a motorcycle accident lawyer, the lawyer will ensure you do not accept a low settlement.
Collect Better Evidence
A lot of people usually struggle with collecting better evidence. Motorcycle accident lawyers can collect better evidence since they know what to look for. If you can present better evidence in court, you can win your case. It is, therefore, better to let an experienced attorney help you collect evidence.
Prove the Severity of Your Injuries
A motorcycle accident can lead to severe injuries, lasting disabilities, and even death. If the insurance company can prove your injuries were not serious, they can reduce your compensation. Your lawyer will gather the necessary evidence to prove the severity of your injuries.
Represent You in Court
If the insurance company decides not to offer you a settlement offer, you can take your case to the court. If you do not want to speak in the courtroom, you need to have a lawyer. Having a motorcycle accident attorney representing you in court can give you peace of mind and increase your chances of winning your case.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
Everyone needs to know the most common causes of motorcycle accidents. Why? If you know the most common causes of these accidents, you can know the cause of your motorcycle accident. On the other hand, if the drivers know these causes, they can protect the motorcyclists on the road.
Here are the most common causes of motorcycle accidents:
Distracted Driving
Distracted driving can cause motorcycle accidents on the road. If a driver is distracted while driving, they can fail to see a motorcyclist. Also, if the motorcyclist is distracted, they can cause accidents on the road.
Failure to Pay Attention to Motorcycles
If a driver fails to pay attention to motorcycles, they can hit them. It is, therefore, necessary for the driver to focus on driving and pay attention to motorcycles.
Drunk Driving or Drugged Driving
It is illegal to drive under influence of alcohol and drugs. If the driver uses drugs or alcohol, the drugs or alcohol can reduce the reaction time and impair the judgment of the driver. So, the driver is more likely to cause an accident.
Faulty Brakes, Lighting, or Mirrors
Faulty brakes, lighting, or mirrors are some of the main causes of motorcycle accidents on the road. For instance, if the brakes fail, the driver will not stop the vehicle on time. If the vehicle cannot stop on time, the vehicle can hit motorcyclists and other road users.
Unexpected Pedestrians in the Road
It is hard for pedestrians to see motorcycles on the road since they are small. The pedestrian can, therefore, pose a safety threat to motorcyclists.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics in Georgia
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 154 motorcyclists due to motorcycle accidents in Georgia in 2018. However, 4985 motorcyclists died in motorcycle accidents in the country in 2018. Alcohol impairment was the main cause of 61% of motorcycle accidents.
What Are the Motorcycle-Specific Laws in Georgia?
Pertinent motorcycle laws apply in the state of Georgia. Georgia law requires all motorcyclists to wear protective headgear. The law allows motorcyclists to ride their motorcycles on the full lane of any public road or highway. However, the law does not permit them to operate between multiple traffic lanes.
In addition, Georgia law requires motorcycle riders to wear a safety helmet, avoid lane-splitting, and have a Class M motorcycle license. The motorcycle riders need to check if their turn signals, headlights, and brake lights work.
If you do not adhere to these rules, you can be held liable for any injuries and damages. It can, therefore, affect your overall settlement amount.
What Are the Most Common Injuries Seen in Motorcycle Accidents?
People can suffer minor and severe injuries in motorcycle accidents. It is necessary to know the common injuries seen in these accidents. If you sustain one of these injuries in a motorcycle accident, you can seek full compensation for your injuries.
Here are the most common injuries seen in motorcycle accidents:
Broken Bones
The impact of the accident can break your bones. You are more likely to experience breaks and fractures around your thighs, ribs, pelvis, and legs. If you suffer broken bones, you might never regain full mobility.
Road Rash
If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, your skin can scrap across the road. It exposes your nerve endings. If you do not treat the wounds, they can become infected.
Head and Brain Injuries
If you experience a severe blow to your head, you can experience head and brain injuries. Head and brain injuries can completely change your life. These injuries can impair your thinking, your senses, and your ability to work as well as cause emotional problems.
Spinal Cord Injuries
If you are ejected off your motorcycle, you are more likely to injure your spinal cord. In fact, if you smash into a vehicle or a wall, you can end up with severe spinal cord injuries. You can become permanently paralyzed because of these injuries.
How Is Fault Determined in a College Park Motorcycle Accident?
Your College Park motorcycle accident lawyer must prove that the at-fault party did not meet the standard of care under the laws of the state of Georgia. Therefore, the lawyer can apply comparative negligence to determine fault in the College Park motorcycle accident.
If your liability for the motorcycle accident is under 50%, you are eligible to receive compensation for your injuries. If your liability, however, is 50% or higher, you are more likely to lose your claim. That is why we encourage you to hire a College Park motorcycle accident lawyer to protect your rights.
What Type of Compensation Can I Receive for My Motorcycle Accident?
If you have suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident in College Park, GA, you may be entitled to seek compensation for your injuries. Here are the types of compensation you can receive for your motorcycle accident:
Economic Damages
Economic damages cover the expenses that you may have incurred because of your physical injuries and damages. These damages can, therefore, cover medical bills, lost earning capacity, property damage, and lost wages. It is essential to get the necessary evidence to prove economic damages.
Non-Economic Damages
A motorcycle accident can leave you with intangible damages. If you suffer injuries because of someone else’s negligence, you can seek non-economic damages, including emotional distress, permanent disability, bodily impairment, loss of life enjoyment, pain and suffering, and mental anguish.
Punitive Damages
If you can prove the negligence of the at-fault party was too extreme, you can be entitled to punitive damages. It is, however, necessary to hire a motorcycle accident lawyer to gather evidence to prove the at-fault party’s severe negligence or malicious intent.
Why Was My Motorcycle Accident Claim Denied?
An insurance company can deny your claim due to several reasons. In fact, insurance companies love to lowball their offers. If they deny your claim, you will need a lawyer to help you appeal your denied claim. Here are some of the reasons an insurance company can deny your motorcycle accident claim:
- They do not believe you were really injured.
- They believe you are at fault.
- The responsible driver was not injured under the insurance coverage.
- The insurance coverage has lapsed or been canceled.
- They think the accident did not cause your injuries.
Are There Time Limits to Filing a Claim in Georgia?
Yes! The time limit for filing a motorcycle accident claim in Georgia is two years from the date of the motorcycle accident in question. If the time limit expires, you void your case.
Looking for an Experienced College Park Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
It costs a ton of money and takes a lot of time to recover from the severe injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident. In fact, the injuries can cause life-changing side effects since you can sustain permanent disability. If you are not responsible for the motorcycle accident, you can seek compensation for your injuries and damages.
It is, however, difficult to recover the compensation. If you do not seek legal representation, the insurance company can deny your motorcycle accident claim. Hire a good motorcycle accident lawyer to file your case, negotiate the settlement, and represent you in court.
If you are looking for a good motorcycle accident attorney in College Park, GA, contact us, Humphrey & Ballard Law, for a free case review. At Humphrey & Ballard Law, our motorcycle accident attorneys have the experience and knowledge to fight for your rights and get you the maximum settlement. Contact us today to discuss your case at 404-341-0499.
