While riding a motorcycle is fun and exhilarating, motorcycles have very little to offer when it comes to protection. And while you might be a responsible motorcycle rider, there are still many hazards on the roads, from irresponsible drivers to debris and potholes, that could lead to you getting hurt.
If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident caused by another person’s negligence or recklessness, then make sure you get in touch with our experienced and reputable South Fulton motorcycle accident lawyer for professional legal counsel and representation.
At Humphrey & Ballard Law, we are committed to helping motorcycle accident victims identify and understand the different circumstances that may complicate their claim. As personal injury attorneys, we aim to preserve and protect your interests and rights by building a rock-solid case and working hard to ensure that justice is served and that you receive fair compensation for your pain, suffering, injuries, and losses.
We understand the impact that motorcycle accidents can have on those affected, and that compensation isn’t enough to restore what you may have lost. However, compensation is still crucial in helping you pay bills and regain some normalcy in your life. For help with a motorcycle accident claim in South Fulton, get in touch with us to a professional auto accident attorney. Call 404-341-0499 now to schedule a free case review.
How Can a South Fulton Motorcycle Accident Attorney Help Me?
Having your claim handled by a professional and knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyer could help increase your likelihood of getting compensated for damages and injuries sustained. Once you get in touch with Humphrey and Ballard Law, we’ll review your case for free.
Some of the ways our legal team can help you with your motorcycle accident claim include:
Providing You With Dependable Legal Counsel and Representation
The process of filing for compensation can be a bit complicated and will often require that some legal obligations are first fulfilled before the claim can start. With so much legal documentation that needs to be filled out and filed, you need someone who understands what it takes to file such cases to ensure that your compensation claim stays on track.
Establishing Who Is at Fault
Determining who’s at fault in an accident involving a motorcycle can be difficult especially since most drivers won’t admit that they are responsible for causing the accident. To establish fault, our attorney will conduct investigations to determine what exactly happened on that fateful day and who is at fault.
Protecting Your Interests
Our attorneys are skilled professionals with the knowledge and experience required to protect your rights and interests as a motorcycle accident victim. We are ready and willing to do everything in our power to make sure you get well compensated for your injuries and damages.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Georgia?
Riding a motorcycle presents a greater share of hazards and risks than driving a truck/car since bikes offer no protection to the rider. And while that is the case, there are a couple of situations that are considered the main causes of motorcycle accidents in the state and the country at large. These are:
- Failure to pay attention to other road users
- Road hazards
- Distracted driving
- Faulty lighting, brakes, or mirrors
- Drunk driving
- Car doors opening
- Left-turn intersections
- Improper or unsafe lane change
- Rear-end collisions
Motorcycle Accident Stats in Georgia
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Georgia is one of few states in the country that’s registered a drop in motorcycle fatalities and accidents. And while that’s the case, there’s still room for improvement as pedestrians, drivers, and riders are all encouraged to be more careful while on the road.
According to data provided by the NHTSA:
- Most motorcycle crash victims in Georgia are aged between 35 and 44.
- A vast majority of riders in the state are licensed to ride a motorcycle.
- Most accidents typically occur between 6 and 9 PM on weekends in normal weather.
- Left-turn and Head-on collisions are the most common types of accidents involving another vehicle.
Does Georgia Have Motorcycle-Specific Laws?
Yes. Georgia, much like every other state in America, has specific laws that govern the operation of motorcycles in the state. As a rider, it is your responsibility to be conscious of other users on the road and to obey traffic laws. These laws include:
- In Georgia, riders are not allowed to share lanes. According to state law, it’s illegal to ride side by side with another motorcyclist on the same lane.
- Riders that travel at speeds higher than 75 miles per hour are considered super speeders and are liable to pay a $200 fine.
- Riders are required, by law, to have protective eye gear (goggles, visors, etc.) on at all times.
- Anyone riding on a motorcycle, including passengers, must have protective headgear (i.e., helmet) on whenever on the road. Additionally, the helmet must be DOT compliant.
While this list isn’t exhaustive, it highlights some of the more crucial regulations and rules that your South Fulton motorcycle accident lawyer will consider when handling your case.
What Are Some of the Most Common Injuries in Accidents Involving Motorcycles?
Since riders are more susceptible to the hazards and dangers of the road, most of the injuries that most motorcycle riders sustain after being involved in an accident tend to be calamitous, and in some instances, fatal. Common injuries include:
- Spinal cord injuries
- Road rash
- Internal injuries
- Traumatic head & brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Lower-extremity injuries
- Fractures
How’s Fault Determined in a Georgia Motorcycle Accident?
In virtually all motorcycle crashes, either one of the parties will be responsible for causing the accident while the other is the victim. Nevertheless, there’s always a likelihood that both parties were partially at fault for the crash.
Since Georgia uses the modified comparative negligence system, the potential settlement you’ll receive as compensation for injuries and damages sustained will be subject to deductions in proportion to how much you are at fault for the accident. Furthermore, it is worth noting that according to Georgia’s modified comparative negligence law, plaintiffs are only eligible for compensation if they are 49% (or less) at fault for the accident.
To find out if you are eligible to receive compensation for your motorcycle accident, get in touch with us at Humphrey & Ballard Law for help. Our motorcycle accident lawyers are experts at reviewing such cases and can help you determine if you are liable or not.
What Type of Compensation Can Motorcycle Accident Victims Receive?
Since most motorcycle accident injuries are quite serious, you, as a victim, must consider the amount of money you need to cover the cost of treating your injuries and the implications they’ll have on your life in the long run. As motorcycle accident lawyers, we can help you determine which type of compensation you should seek and how much to claim for your injuries and damages.
Damages in a motorcycle accident case can include:
Economic Damages
These cover all costs related to your treatment, medical diagnosis, physical therapy, and recovery assistance. Economic damages also cover lost wages and any losses whose financial value can be determined.
Non-Economic Damage
These cover losses you may have sustained but whose value can’t be determined such as paralysis, physical disfigurement, etc. While pursuing non-economic damages is generally complex, our attorneys are committed to ensuring that the courts understand the impact your damages and injuries have had on your life and why you need to be compensated for your loss.
Punitive Damages
We only take this route if, after investigations, we find out that the crash was a result of gross misconduct and negligence on the party’s part. Pursuing punitive damages in Georgia is not easy as it’s something that’ll require having sufficient evidence and leveraging all available resources to ensure a favorable outcome is achieved.
Why Was My Motorcycle Accident Claim Denied?
There are several reasons why a motorcycle accident claim in Georgia might get rejected. They include:
- Your policy was canceled because you started the claim process too late or had lapsed before you were involved in the accident. In such instances, you can’t hold your insurer accountable for losses and damages sustained.
- The person responsible for causing the accident had no insurance cover.
- It’s determined that you’re 50% or more at fault for the accident.
- You didn’t sustain any injuries during the accident
- You cannot prove that your injuries and damages are directly linked to the crash.
Is There a Time Limit to Filing a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Georgia?
Georgia’s statute of limitations dictates that you have exactly two years from the day the accident occurred to file a claim. However, there are situations where circumstances may shorten the amount of time you have to file a compensation claim like when your case is against a federal or state agency. To ensure that your case is heard for a chance of receiving compensation, you need to make sure you file your claim before you run out of time.
Therefore, the sooner you get a professional South Fulton motorcycle accident lawyer on your case, the better. The attorneys at Humphrey & Ballard Law are here to guide and help you through the process.
Contact a Reputable South Fulton Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Now
Having professional and seasoned attorneys handling your case could help ensure that you receive the compensation you deserve for your injuries and damages. At Humphrey & Ballard Law, we are focused on getting our clients the results they want, which is why all our attorneys are ready to aggressively fight for your interests and rights to ensure justice is served. We’re committed to helping people like you win and get what they are rightfully owed.
Reach out to us today to speak to a dependable and experienced South Fulton motorcycle accident lawyer. Call 404-341-0499 now for more on how our attorneys can help. We offer free case reviews and consultation meetings.
