Motorcycle riders have a particularly high risk of serious injury when they are involved in a motorcycle accident in Atlanta. Road rash and whiplash are often the mildest injuries riders can expect to experience in motorcycle crashes, and more severe impacts—especially those involving car accidents—may cause catastrophic injuries and life-altering losses.
If your motorcycle accident occurred because of a negligent driver, a personal injury attorney could bring a personal injury claim to pursue compensation from that reckless or careless individual for the injuries and losses you suffered. Working with an experienced Atlanta motorcycle accidents lawyer at Atlanta Personal Injury Law Group is the best way to increase your odds of recovering compensation for damages from a wreck.
Atlanta Personal Injury Group is dedicated to helping victims of negligent drivers receive compensation for their injuries. Our team can reduce your stress and provide financial relief by negotiating a fair settlement or filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit on your behalf.
When you read what our clients say about the services we provide, you'll understand the kind of results we obtain for our clients. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney at our firm can provide a free case evaluation to help you determine your claim's value. There is no obligation to move forward, and we are happy to listen to your story and answer all of your questions about your case.
Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Guide
The High Number of Motorcycle Accidents in Georgia
Atlanta is like many other major cities in the United States. Traffic seems to never stop, and accidents happen frequently. Georgia is also host to one of the busiest interstates in the United States. Interstate 285 sees more accidents per mile than any other, making it the deadliest interstate in the country.
A National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) study reveals that motorcyclists made up 14 percent of all traffic-related fatalities in the state. That number is surprisingly disproportionate considering how few motorcyclists there are in Georgia compared to other motorists.
Atlanta Personal Injury Law Group: Your Top Choice for an Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Attorney
If a negligent motor vehicle driver injured you while on your motorcycle, we understand what you are going through. Our founding partner, attorney Jennifer Gore-Cuthbert was the victim of a serious car accident. After fighting with the other party's insurance company, she knows full well how hard it can be for accident victims to receive fair compensation.
Jennifer founded Atlanta Personal Injury Law Group to help victims just like you seek justice. Our legal team can fight for your rights by using our years of experience and deep understanding of Georgia laws. We'll make sure you never face unsympathetic insurance companies while recovering from your accident. Let us help you plan your next legal steps in your motorcycle accident claim.
Do I Need a Lawyer for a Motorcycle Accident?
Motorcyclists can get into an accident in many ways. Although most crashes are the fault of negligent drivers, cyclists are usually hurt much worse. Because most riders suffer serious injuries or even fatal injuries, it's crucial to work with a motorcycle accident lawyer who understands the complicated laws and procedures involved in motorcycle crash claims.
There is, unfortunately, a bias against motorcycle riders by many other drivers. They feel a motorcycle rider is assuming the risk by driving in a way that limits their protection from potential injury.
These drivers fail to understand motorcycle riders have the same legal rights on the road as any other driver. When a negligent at-fault driver ignores the law, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries. When the at-fault driver's insurance company gets involved, seeking compensation for your injuries can be a struggle.
Insurance companies are like any other business. They exist to make money and turn a profit. They will fight in most circumstances to avoid paying a claim. They may try to shift the blame to you as the motorcycle rider for the accident. They will use the bias against motorcyclists as a tactic to deny or significantly reduce paying you what you deserve. A seasoned Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer can see through these tactics and fight for fair compensation.
How Can an Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help Me?
Personal injury cases of any kind can be very complicated. The driver who caused your accident is not likely to admit liability. Their insurance company may try to offer you a quick settlement for far less than what you are rightfully due. A skilled personal injury attorney can help you navigate these legal waters.
We Can Investigate Your Case
A lawyer can conduct a thorough investigation of your case.
This investigation may include:
- Examining the accident scene
- Speaking to accident witnesses
- Investigating the other driver’s background, including traffic infraction patterns
- Securing traffic camera video footage
- Reviewing building security footage
- Gathering your medical records to prove your injuries to the opposing party’s insurance representatives
These and other steps serve to build a solid foundation for your case. When armed with this information, your lawyer may be able to negotiate a fair settlement from the person responsible.
We Can Negotiate a Settlement
Many personal injury cases settle out of court. When negotiating a settlement, both sides often want to avoid the extra time and expense of a jury trial. Representatives for both sides should try to work out an agreement acceptable to all sides.
Your attorney can handle these negotiations, see through the delay tactics, and work to secure a settlement that will compensate you for your injuries and your pain and suffering. If both sides cannot agree on terms, then you have the option of taking your case to trial.
What if your case goes to trial? In Georgia, most vehicles on the road are cars, trucks, vans, and sport utility vehicles (SUVs). Motorcycles make up only 2 percent of registered motor vehicles. There are even fewer in Fulton County. If your case goes to trial, seating sympathetic fellow motorcycle riders on a jury is slim without our lawyers carefully screening them. Otherwise, the jurors may bring the same anti-motorcycle bias against you.
Most jurors have never ridden a motorcycle in their lives, so they may find it difficult to understand the appeal of motorcycle riding. They may also assume the motorcycle rider was at fault before hearing the facts.
Skilled Atlanta motorcycle accident attorneys can help educate jurors and encourage them to review the facts. Our accident lawyers use vast trial experience to accurately convey to the jury that your accident, like many motorcycle accidents, was caused by a negligent driver who did not respect your rights on the road.
How Much Will I Receive for My Motorcycle Accident Settlement?
While there are no guarantees of any amount in a personal injury court case, successful settlements usually consist of economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Accidents are expensive. With serious injuries, you need to go to the hospital for medical care. Your doctors need to thoroughly assess and treat your injuries. You may be prescribed medication to help you recover. You may also need to undergo physical therapy as part of your recovery process. You can expect significant medical expenses after a motorcycle crash.
While all of this is happening, you may need to miss work, depending on your job responsibilities and your injuries. Missing work and lost wages can take a financial toll. And if your injuries are severe enough, you may never be able to return to your job again.
All these financial costs are grounds for compensation. Called economic damages, they include any direct cost to you that stems from your accident.
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are those you cannot attach a firm dollar value to. Traditionally, pain and suffering is the phrase most people think of when they hear about non-economic damages.
If you have suffered physically, emotionally, and psychologically, you deserve financial compensation for your troubles.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Most motorcycle accidents occur when a car driver fails to yield the right-of-way to a motorcyclist.
Other causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- The driver was careless and did not check for motorcycles before changing lanes.
- The person involved saw the motorcycle but refused to grant the motorcycle driver the right of way.
- A negligent driver was looking at their cell phone instead of paying attention to the road.
- Drivers may also neglect to check for motorcycles when backing out of a parking space.
Georgia passed a 2017 law forbidding drivers from using cell phones without hands-free features. They may not text or send emails while driving, as those activities force drivers to take their attention away from the road. Distracted driving is the cause of many collisions, not just motorcycle crashes.
How State Law Addresses Motorcyclists and Motorcycle Accidents
Just as many traffic laws apply to motor vehicle operators in Georgia, numerous safety regulations apply specifically to motorcycle riders. For example, Georgia prohibits motorcycle operators from sitting or carrying passengers anywhere except on a regular seat, and the law requires every motorcycle rider of any age in Georgia to wear protective headgear at all times while riding.
If another driver violates the duty of care they owe to others sharing the road, a motorcyclist injured as a result could file suit against that driver. Additionally, any motorcyclist who failed to obey motorcycle laws themselves may have their available damages reduced even if they were not primarily at fault.
Under Georgia law, a civil court can reduce a plaintiff’s recoverable compensation by whatever percentage of fault they bear for their own accident or bar them from recovery altogether if they are 50 percent or more at fault. In addition to proving the other party's negligence in a case, a seasoned Atlanta motorcycle accident attorney could also work on a plaintiff's behalf to contest allegations of comparative fault made against them.
Is It Dangerous to Ride Motorcycles in Atlanta?
According to several studies, Georgia and the city of Atlanta, in particular, rank very high in motorcycle accidents and fatalities. Below are two studies that reveal the relative danger of riding in or around Atlanta.
Allstate Insurance Study
Allstate Insurance released a study in 2018 ranking the largest United States cities for driver safety. Out of 200 cities, Atlanta ranked 186th. Allstate’s data further reveal these numbers are worse than the year before, showing the trend is getting worse.
Atlanta’s High Braking Events
Allstate's data shows that Atlanta drivers average higher than most cities for high-braking events. As the name implies, cars brake suddenly when something unexpected happens. Atlanta drivers average 30 such events for every 1,000 miles they drive.
A high number of braking events can drastically affect motorcycles. If car drivers brake suddenly, motorcyclists might have to swerve to avoid a collision. In some cases, this sudden swerving can lead to the motorcycle losing control and injuring the driver.
The Importance of Filing Suit on Time
Beyond the modified comparative fault system in Georgia, another legal roadblock that commonly hinders recovery following motorcycle accidents is the statute of limitations. Georgia’s statute gives most plaintiffs seeking compensation only two years following their accident to file suit.
If a prospective plaintiff fails to adhere to this statutory filing deadline, they cannot recover compensation for any of their injuries or losses, no matter how clear the defendant's fault may be.
When you work with our law firm, our qualified Atlanta motorcycle crash lawyers can determine what filing deadlines apply to your case and ensure your rights are protected by filing all court documents on time.
Speak With Our Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Today
Motorcycle accidents are often particularly devastating incidents, when compared to other types of motor vehicle wrecks. In addition to severe injuries resulting in expensive medical bills and missed time off work, motorcycle crash victims often end up dealing with significant non-economic losses, including loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, and various losses related to a permanent disability or disfigurement.
If you attempt to resolve your motorcycle crash claim without professional legal guidance you will face a significant—and unnecessary—disadvantage. Give yourself and your case a better chance of success by hiring an Atlanta auto accident lawyer at Atlanta Personal Injury Law Group. Call today to get started at (404) 609-1724 or contact us online for a free legal consultation.