Riding on a motorcycle is fun, and it can feel free. Unfortunately, unlike vehicles, motorcycles do not have surrounding protection, making motorcycle accidents severe and deadly. Getting in a motorcycle accident will leave you with life-altering injuries.
Motorcycle accidents are common in Georgia, and often, following up with insurance can be very hectic. While several factors can cause a motorcycle accident, most insurance firms do everything to pin the blame on the motorcyclist. They will likely want to offer you the least compensation possible.
Fortunately for you, our Buckhead motorcycle accident lawyers at The Hurt Boss can help you get the compensation you deserve. We have years of experience handling these types of cases and know how to deal with the insurance companies.
If you have suffered damages and injuries from a motorcycle accident due to another person’s negligence, let us help you get your rightful compensation. To learn more, call us at 678-806-7715 and let our Buckhead auto accident lawyers assess your case for free and let you know your legal options.
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How Can a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help with My Compensation Claim?
Pursuing a claim after being in a motorcycle accident can be challenging and an equally frustrating process, especially without having legal representation. Insurance will do anything to offer you the least settlement and insist you are to blame for the accident. Hiring a Buckhead motorcycle accident lawyer will be wise.
There are multiple ways our skilled motorcycle accident lawyers can help with your compensation claim, from offering legal advice to ensuring you get the settlement you deserve.
If you are ever in a motorcycle accident, always find and talk to a motorcycle accident attorney near you to assess your case and let you know your available legal options. Here is how the expert motorcycle accident lawyers from The Hurt Boss can help you with your compensation claim:
Preparing Your Claim
We will prepare and gather all the necessary information and evidence on your behalf to ensure you have a successful case. Apart from preparing your claim while you focus on getting better, we also help you file your claim on time.
We are thorough in our job and work closely with other experts, so your claim accounts for any damages and injuries you may have suffered from your motorcycle accident.
Negotiations
Our Buckhead personal injury attorneys will conduct negotiations with the insurance company on your behalf. We have experience dealing with similar cases, so we guarantee that we will prioritize your needs and ensure the insurance company offers you the compensation you deserve.
Representing You in Court
If we cannot reach a satisfactory settlement with the insurance company during negotiations, we will represent you in court. You can relax knowing you have skilled experts on your side representing you in court.
Do not hesitate to contact The Hurt Boss when you get into a motorcycle accident in Buckhead. Our skilled attorneys will represent you and ensure the insurance pays you your rightful compensation.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Different factors can cause a motorcycle accident, including driving under the influence. While all motorcycle accidents are different, a common factor is that insurance companies tend to blame motorcyclists.
We understand that motorcyclists are not always at fault despite the misconception. Many motorcycle accidents are both avoidable and preventable. Common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Distracted driving
- Failure to pay attention to motorcycles
- Drunk driving or drugged driving
- Faulty mirrors, brakes, or lighting
- Unexpected pedestrians on the road
- Lane changes and lane splitting
- Inexperienced drivers
- Other motor vehicle drivers not yielding to motorcyclists
- Disregarding traffic laws
- Tailgating
- Driving under the influence
- Speeding
- Careless driving
- Road hazards
Multiple factors can contribute to motorcycle accidents, so ensure you find a skilled motorcycle accident attorney near you. The Hurt Boss motorcycle accident attorneys will help you investigate the accident to determine the party at fault and negotiate a satisfactory settlement with the insurance company on your behalf.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Per the NHTSA, motorcyclists are 27 times more likely to die in an accident than other motor vehicle passenger occupants. The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety’s data shows that Georgia has about 200,000 motorcycles. The report shows that in 2015, the state of Georgia had 138 motorcycle fatalities.
One hundred and fifty-four motorcyclists lost their lives in motorcycle accidents in Georgia in 2018. Most of these accidents could have been preventable. A report by the Georgia Department of Driver Services shows that in 2019, motorcyclists made up 11% of the total accident fatalities in Georgia. In 2020, the number of motorcycle accident fatalities was 179.
If you are from Buckhead and get into a motorcycle accident, ensure you contact a reputable and experienced motorcycle accident attorney near you. At The Hurt Boss, we can help you navigate your motorcycle accident case and ensure you get the compensation you need and deserve.
What Are the Motorcycle Specific Laws in Georgia?
Before you drive a motorcycle in Georgia, it is essential to familiarize yourself with the motorcycle-specific laws. Knowing these laws is essential and will help you avoid traffic violations and accidents.
It is worth noting that each state has its specific motorcycle laws, and not knowing these laws can result in a penalty or fine and even lead to significant legal repercussions when you are involved in a motorcycle accident.
The motorcycle-specific laws in Georgia are under Section 40-6-310 through to section 40-6-315 of the Motor Vehicle and Traffic Code. They include:
GA Code § 40-6-314 (2019)
- Any motorcycle carrying passengers should have footrests for the passenger. The only exception is enclosed cabs or sidecars
- No individual should operate a motorcycle whose backrest’s design forms sharp points at the apex or whose handlebars are over 25 inches high
GA Code § 40-6-312 (2019)
- When operating a motorcycle in Georgia, you must at all times keep your headlights and taillights on
- No motorcyclists should operate their motorcycle between traffic lanes or adjacent rows of motor vehicles.
- There should not be more than two motorcycles working abreast on one lane
- Motor vehicles are not to be driven in a way that hinders motorcycles from using a full lane because motorcyclists are entitled to using an entire lane.
GA Code § 40-6-313 (2019)
No motorcyclists will attach themselves or their motorcycle to any vehicle on the roadway.
GA Code § 40-6-315 (2019)
The mandatory motorcycle helmet law in Georgia was passed in 1969 and is still reinforced today:
- Anyone operating a motorcycle must have a visor on their helmet with a windshield offering them eye protection or use the approved eyewear.
- All motorcyclists and their passengers should use approved helmets.
Common Injuries Seen in Motorcycle Accidents
There are several motorcycle accident injuries, and these typically range in their severity. Unlike other motor vehicles, motorcycles are less stable, making the injuries one suffers more devastating.
The lack of protection that motorcycles have, which enclosed motor vehicles offer, also compounds the severity of injuries. Here are the most common injuries seen in motorcycle accidents:
- Broken bones
- Road rash
- Head and brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
How Is Fault Determined in a Buckhead Motorcycle Accident?
There are several ways to determine liability or fault in a Buckhead motorcycle accident. Once fault is determined, the party at fault is held responsible for the damages and injuries the other person may have suffered from the motorcycle accident.
Several parties can be held accountable in a motorcycle accident, including the government for failing to properly maintain the road where the accident occurred, other involved motorists, and the motorcycle manufacturer.
Here is how motorcycle accident fault is determined:
- Through investigations conducted by the police and other professionals
- Evidence that is gathered from the scene of the accident
- Statements made by eyewitnesses
Georgia’s modified comparative negligence law states that “If the plaintiff by ordinary care could have avoided the consequences to themselves caused by the negligence of the defendant, they are not entitled to recover.”
It is essential to work with our skilled Buckhead motorcycle accident lawyers. We will work collaboratively with other experts to uncover the party at fault, which will help us build a strong case ensuring you get the settlement you need and deserve.
What Types of Compensation Can I Receive for My Motorcycle Accident?
Every motorcycle accident is unique, and while most accidents are often severe, you will sustain minor injuries and scratches if you are lucky. You may receive different forms of compensation after getting in a motorcycle accident.
The compensation you receive is significantly determined by the severity of the injuries and damages you suffered due to the accident. Our skilled team will assess your case and help you determine your legal options and the type of compensation you qualify for, depending on your specific case.
Here are the different types of compensation you can expect to receive for your motorcycle accident:
Economic Damages
Economic damages are damages that can are easily quantified financially. They are the most common type of compensation most motorcycle accident victims receive.
How much economic damages you receive is influenced by your unique case and the extent of your injuries. Economic damages include:
- Medical expenses
- Loss of income
- Damage replacement and repair costs
- Loss of earning capacity
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are not easy to calculate because there is no specific monetary value you can attach to these damages. Non-economic damages include:
- Permanent disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Emotional distress
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of consortium
Punitive Damages
Overall, punitive damages are rarely awarded, and unlike economic and non-economic damages, they do not serve as compensation. Instead, punitive damages are meant to caution the public against similar action and punish the party at fault for their negligence.
Punitive damages are only awarded if the at-fault party’s behavior showed disregard for the general public’s lives. For instance, if they were driving under the influence.
Why Was My Motorcycle Accident Claim Denied?
Insurers believe that motorcyclists are always the party at fault, so it is not uncommon to have your claim denied. Insurers do everything to ensure you get the least compensation possible or find ways to pin the blame on you.
By hiring a Buckhead motorcycle accident lawyer, you will receive your rightful compensation and do not have to feel frustrated by the insurers. Here are reasons why your motorcycle accident claim may be denied:
- The policy had lapsed or was cancelled
- They don’t believe you were hurt
- They believe the accident was your fault
- The motorist was not insured under the policy
- They don’t think the accident is what caused your injuries
- Unlicensed driving
- There is a time-lapse between your accident and the time you sought medical attention
Are There Deadlines for Filing a Claim in Georgia?
Yes! There are strict time limits for filing a lawsuit after a motorcycle accident in Georgia. Please, ensure you file your claim as soon as possible when you get into a motorcycle accident.
There is a time limit for when you can file your motorcycle accident claim in Georgia. You have two years from when the accident happened to file for a personal injury claim. It is worth noting that this time limit is also applicable in wrongful death claims due to a motorcycle accident.
The two-year time limit does not apply to anyone under 18. The time limit will only apply after they turn 18 or if they are emancipated. It is essential to find and talk to a professional motorcycle accident attorney near you after being in a motorcycle accident. Talking to a lawyer ensures you file your claim before the two-year limit period elapses.
Buckhead Motorcycle Accident Lawyers You Can Trust
Motorcycle accidents are a common occurrence that claims many lives every year. If you are a motorcyclist, always wear a helmet and ensure you adhere to the traffic rules.
Have you been in a motorcycle accident that has altered your life? Let the skilled and experienced lawyers at The Hurt Boss help you. We are knowledgeable about the Georgia laws and have helped several motorcycle accident victims.
We will help you get the settlement you need and deserve. Call us 678-806-7715 today, and let us assess your motorcycle accident case for free.
