If you or a loved one has suffered injury or death in a motorcycle accident, get in touch with the Law Office of John B. Jackson and speak with an experienced Douglasville motorcycle accident lawyer. Do not accept an insurance company’s settlement offer without seeking legal representation first! Our firm has fought insurance companies on behalf of countless motorcycle accident clients, and we want to make sure you receive full compensation for the injuries and damages you’ve suffered.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident don’t hesitate to speak with one of the top-rated personal injury lawyers in Georgia and schedule a risk-free consultation.
What Do I Do If I Or A Family Member Gets Into A Motorcycle Accident?
It is important to begin gathering as much information as possible as quickly as possible after a motorcycle accident. Collect all the information you can on any other drivers involved in the accident. Solicit contact information from any witnesses you can find. Take photos of anything you think might relate to the accident. If the police do not respond to the accident, make sure you submit a report of it. It is an unfortunate fact of the road that insurance companies try to shift blame for motorcycle accidents onto riders; this is why you need to establish an official record by filing a police report.
Of course, your first priority in the immediate aftermath of a motorcycle accident is to get medical help for anyone who needs it. Call 911 and request an ambulance if you are injured or you can see anyone who is injured.
As the insurance companies go to work on your case, you need to secure representation by a personal injury attorney as quickly as possible. Do not give a recorded statement to any insurance company — not even your own — without seeking legal counsel first. Resolving your case in your favor will mean contacting all the insurance companies involved, but you have the right to professional legal representation throughout the process. Having an experienced motorcycle lawyer on your side will protect you from saying anything that might be turned against you.
What Makes Motorcycle Accidents Different From Other Road Accidents?
When you’re riding a motorcycle, there’s hardly anything at all between you and the road. Most of the time, this makes riding exhilarating and alluring. When things go wrong, though, it means that injuries and deaths are more likely for motorcyclists than other road-users.
Although there are less than 9 million motorcycles on the nation’s roads, motorcycle accidents account for 13 percent of all road accident fatalities. Cars and trucks have the space to incorporate an ever-growing array of safety features, but motorcyclists still have to depend on helmets and clothing to protect themselves. Motorcyclists also face an increased risk from hazardous road conditions, as having just two wheels makes the loss of control more likely.
Because of the great forces involved in motorcycle accidents and the minimal protection offered to riders and passengers, severe injuries to the head and/or neck are unfortunately common.
Related: The Police Report is Crucial Douglasville Car Accident Lawsuit
What Causes Motorcycle Accidents?
Driver error or lack of attention contributes just as much to motorcycle accidents as to those involving other vehicles, though the results tend to be more serious for the reasons described above.
Motorcycles are at a disadvantage because their small size makes them more likely to be overlooked by other drivers. According to government crash statistics, in 42% of fatal motorcycle crashes involving two vehicles, the larger vehicle turned into the path of the motorcycle because its driver was unaware of the motorcycle’s presence. 78& of the motorcycles involved in two-vehicle crashes are struck in the front.
Not all motorcycle accidents come down to other drivers, though. In 25% of all motorcycle accidents, there are no other vehicles involved, with the cyclist hitting an obstruction or losing control of the bike. And sadly, alcohol plays a role in 40% of motorcycle accidents that do not involve other vehicles.
Related: How Can You Prevent Georgia Auto Accidents with Motorcycles?
Who Can Be Taken To Court In A Motorcycle Accident Suit?
When a motorcycle accident involves two or more vehicles, responsibility for damages lies with the at-fault driver and his or her insurance company. Proof of fault is often critical in motorcycle accident cases. The Law Office of John B. Jackson is accustomed to investigating motorcycle accidents on our own initiative to make your case as strong as possible. The laws of Georgia state that as long as your share of fault for the accident is less than 50%, you’re entitled to recover damages for all of the following:
- Medical costs
- Vehicle repair or replacement costs
- Lost wages
- Pain and Suffering
When it comes to determining fault, bear in mind that motorcyclists have responsibilities dictated by Georgia’s laws:
- All riders and passengers must wear helmets.
- Motorcycles cannot “lane split” or thread between other vehicles.
- The rider must be licensed to operate the vehicle.
- The motorcycle must have head and tail lights active.
What Changes If I Wasn’t Wearing A Helmet?
So long as responsibility for the accident lies with another driver, you may still sue for damages.
What If I’m Involved In A One-Vehicle Motorcycle Accident?
We strongly urge you to seek legal counsel even if your motorcycle was the only vehicle involved in your accident. A variety of different factors could have caused or contributed to your crash. Examples include road defects like pooled water or potholes, poor road design, obscured signage, malfunctioning traffic lights, and more.
What Can I Do If I Was Injured As A Motorcycle Passenger?
You have the right to file a personal injury claim if you were a motorcycle passenger in an accident. Because you were not driving, it is virtually certain you were neither the cause of or at fault for the accident.
Is There A Time Limit On Filing A Claim in Douglasville?
You have a limited amount of time to file a claim following a motorcycle accident. Georgia law generally gives you two years from the date of the accident to file, but specific circumstances may impose a shorter statute of limitations. If you are filing a claim against a government body, for instance, you have less time. Filing a claim quickly is entirely in your favor; over time it becomes harder to establish conclusively what happened in your accident. The sooner you put an experienced attorney to work on your behalf, the greater the protection you give yourself.
Schedule A Free Consultation With Our Douglasville Motorcycle Accident Team
Reach out to a Douglasville personal injury lawyer at the Law Office of John B. Jackson after any serious motorcycle accident. We’re ready to extend the full value of our extensive motorcycle accident experience to protect you and help you secure full compensation. We stand behind our work and we believe our results show what we can do for you. Call the Law Office of John B. Jackson now 770-988-6155 to schedule a free case evaluation.
