Motorcycles are involved in a significant percentage of vehicle accidents that result in injury and death. Motorcycles offer no protection to their riders, and many drivers are not attuned to the presence of motorcycles on the road.
When negligence results in a motorcycle accident and you suffer an injury, working with an injury attorney could help you get the compensation you deserve. A Sandy Springs motorcycle accident lawyer understands bikers’ needs and could help you reach a fair settlement for your injuries.
Damages in Motorcycle Accidents
Severe injuries are common in motorcycle accidents. Since the bike does not shield you in any way, even accidents that do not involve another vehicle could result in road rash, fractures, internal injuries, spinal cord injuries, and traumatic brain injuries. Damages compensate you for your costs in treating and living with the injury and your lost quality of life.
Damages could include:
- Medical care for injuries resulting from the wreck, including the projected costs of necessary future treatment
- Lost wages if the motorcyclist missed work due to the injury
- Physical and occupational therapy and other forms of rehabilitation
- Diminished future earnings if the injuries will prevent the biker from returning to their job
- Costs of renovating a home to accommodate a permanent disability
Damages are available for intangible losses, as well. You could seek compensation for your pain and suffering, permanent disfigurement, lost enjoyment of life, and mental anguish. A seasoned attorney could identify how an injury impacts your life and use that information to support a claim for monetary compensation.
Follow the Law to Avoid Fault Determination
In Georgia vehicle accident cases, the person who is determined to be at-fault is responsible for paying the damages of other injured parties. Police reports provide persuasive evidence of fault, but other necessary evidence might include testimony from witnesses, safety records of the other drivers and vehicles involved, physical evidence, photographs, and videotapes. A savvy accident attorney could investigate the circumstances and gather evidence demonstrating which party was at fault.
Non-compliance with the law could be evidence of fault and is evidence of negligence. You should be wise to comply with all applicable laws, not just to avoid tickets but also to guard against being found at fault in the event of an accident.
All motorcyclists and their passengers must wear a helmet. The Official Code of Georgia Annotated §40-6-312 makes the practice of lane-splitting, or driving between cars in adjacent lanes, illegal. It also bars bikers from riding more than two abreast, and from passing slower traffic in the same lane.
Two-Year Deadline to Bring a Lawsuit
A biker seeking damages must file a lawsuit within two years of their injury. Although this could seem like ample time, injured claimants strengthen their position by seeking help from an experienced attorney in the early days after their injury. Insurance companies might try to pressure a biker to accept a settlement soon after an accident. Injured people are wise to resist these overtures until an experienced advocate can review the case.
When a state or a local government is potentially liable, there is less time. This situation could arise if a state or municipal employee was involved in the accident while working, or poor road conditions led to the accident. The law requires the injured person to file a notice of claim with the state within twelve months.
Contact a Sandy Springs Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
Recovery from motorcycle accident injuries could be a slow and arduous process. Having a knowledgeable professional in your corner negotiating on your behalf– and pursuing damages in court if necessary–can relieve some of the pressure an injured biker and their family might experience during their recovery.
Contact a Sandy Springs motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as you can, even if you are still in the hospital. The sooner they can get to work the stronger your case is likely to be. Call today.
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