Georgia’s I-285 is one of the most dangerous roadways in the area and the country. In any large city like Atlanta, traffic almost never stops, and accidents happen far too often.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2021, about 14% of traffic fatalities in Georgia were motorcyclists. If you or a loved one is ever involved in a motorcycle accident, you will want an experienced personal injury lawyer in Atlanta. Our law firm can help.
Call Bader Scott Injury Lawyers today for a free consultation.
Frequently Asked Motorcycle Accident Questions
These are some of the questions our Atlanta personal injury lawyers are asked most often. While this is general information on motorcycle accidents in Georgia, you may need more specific information about your case.
For a free legal consultation with a motorcycle accidents lawyer serving Atlanta, call (404) 888-8888
Atlanta Motorcycle Accidents FAQs
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Accidents have many causes, but if you were injured due to someone else’s negligence, you should consider filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit against the at-fault driver. Doing so could result in fair compensation that will reimburse you for any losses resulting from the accident.
Because insurance companies want to save money, they will try to minimize damages. Whether you are at fault or not, the insurance companies will try to shift blame for the accident. Keep in mind that the insurance adjuster doesn’t work for you – they work for the insurance company, and they will go to great lengths in order to save the company money.
That’s why you should get a lawyer for your motorcycle crash. Our Atlanta motorcycle accident attorneys know how to negotiate with the insurance company to get you the best settlement they can. If your motorcycle accident case ends up going to court, our lawyers will fearlessly fight for justice on your behalf. We’ll worry about working on your case so you can focus on recovering from your crash.
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What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
Vehicle and car accidents can result from a variety of things, including but not limited to bad weather, mistakes, or a refusal to share the road. Common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- A passenger vehicle turning left in front of a motorcycle – In a huge percentage of accidents involving a motorcycle, a motorcyclist gets hit when a passenger vehicle turns left and cuts off the motorcycle.
- A failure to check blind spots – Motorcycles are much smaller than the average passenger vehicle. If a driver fails to carefully check their blind spots, they may sideswipe a motorcycle rider.
- A failure to share the road – Some drivers refuse to share the road with motorcyclists and cause accidents by refusing to yield right-of-way.
- Distracted driving – Distracted drivers can rear-end motorcycles stopped in traffic or at a red light.
- Tailgating – A driver tailgating a motorcycle may not have enough time to stop.
Regardless of the specifics, negligence is a known cause in the majority of accidents. If you were injured, you might be wondering, “Is it worth hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer?” When someone else is at fault, and the accident could have been avoided, you should consider hiring a personal injury attorney to help you get the compensation you deserve.
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How Do I Avoid a Motorcycle Crash?
While the driver of a vehicle should be attentive and check twice for bikes, bikers should take responsibility and do everything possible to make themselves more visible so the odds of a motorcycle crash can be reduced even more.
By making yourself conspicuous, you are making yourself more visible and reducing your odds of being in a crash significantly. Here are some effective tips for increasing visibility when you are riding your motorcycle:
- To make drivers aware of your presence, install an aftermarket horn and honk it to let drivers know when you are approaching.
- Properly position yourself in the lane to put a cushion between you and other vehicles.
- Multiple bikes are easier to see than a single bike, so ride in groups whenever possible.
- Wear gear that offers high visibility. Wear a brightly colored jacket or vest and add some reflective tape to it. Hot pink, lime green, neon yellow, or bright orange will get you some attention. Add reflective tape on the chest and back for added visibility at night. Reflective safety vests are inexpensive and effective.
- Add a modulator for your brake light and headlight. They can make the light appear to flash and will switch your headlight from high beam to low so you will stand out when you are riding your bike around other vehicles.
- Wear a brightly colored and highly visible helmet. Bright colors and unusual designs will help you get noticed much more quickly.
- Keep an eye on your speed. If you get too fast too quickly, drivers will have a smaller window of opportunity to see you. Your odds of being in a crash increase significantly when you are riding your bike at a faster speed.
- When you are shifting lanes, do so carefully and watch for drivers. Keep in mind that drivers won’t see you and your motorcycle as quickly as they will other vehicles. While drivers need to be watching for you and look twice, you need to be watching for drivers and other vehicles as well.
- Ride predictably. Don’t swerve in and around vehicles. Don’t ride on the line. Put yourself in the center of the lane so you will be noticed and in an area where cars won’t pass too close to you. You want to be noticed.
You should do everything that you possibly can to make yourself and your bike stand out and be more visible. Always adhere to traffic laws and make sure you use your signals and ride so drivers will know where you are headed. Adhere to any traffic signs and signals. You should always be responsible for your own safety. You can significantly reduce your chances of being in a crash.
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What Injuries Are Common in a Motorcycle Accident?
Although recent developments in motorcycle safety equipment have made riding motorcycles safer than ever before, riders can still sustain critical and fatal injuries – like spinal cord injuries – when traveling in inclement weather, at high speeds, dealing with other drivers, and encountering other hazards on the road.
Vehicle and motorcycle accidents can happen at any time of the day, in any kind of weather, but certain elements can contribute to a more dangerous driving or riding experience. Because motorcycles aren’t as big as cars, trucks, or vans, for example, some drivers don’t see them. Some drivers don’t pay attention to the road and other vehicles (including motorcycles) as they should – this contributes to the overall more dangerous motorcycle ride.
In a motorcycle accident, you could suffer any one or many of the following bodily injuries, which may be temporary or permanent and run the gamut from minor to severe:
- Breaks or fractures
- Cuts, burns, and road rash
- Disfigurement
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI)
- Neck injuries, back injuries, and paralysis
What Damages Can I Get in a Motorcycle Accident Case?
When making a motorcycle accident claim, you need to show how much you are owed by proving what damages you suffered because of the other party’s negligence. To do that, your auto accident lawyer will calculate the economic damages (financial expenses such as medical expenses) and non-economic damages (losses to quality of life or well-being) that occurred after your crash.
Possible damages to collect after your motorcycle accident include:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Wrongful death
A personal injury lawyer can help with the pain and suffering calculation, as the award can fluctuate a lot based on the specifics of each case.
What if I Contributed to My Motorcycle Crash?
The negligent party is responsible for an accident. Negligence means that a party knew, or should have known, that something they did could cause an accident and catastrophic injuries. A driver doesn’t need to be issued a traffic ticket to be considered negligent. In most cases, the police won’t issue a ticket if they did not witness the accident themselves.
One of the most common negligent actions is speeding. When a driver travels over the posted speed limit, he knows that an accident with severe injuries could occur. There are other actions that are also considered negligent. Whenever a driver disobeys the law or drives irresponsibly, he is likely negligent.
In some cases, your actions may have contributed to the accident. You may still be entitled to compensation as long as you were not more responsible than the other driver.
Can I Get Compensation for a Single-Vehicle Motorcycle Accident?
If you were the only person involved in your motorcycle accident, that doesn’t mean it was totally your fault. Unsafe roads, missing signs, a reckless or distracted driver, or any other factor may have played a role in your crash.
A motorcycle accident lawyer in Atlanta can help you with your personal injury claim, even if the person responsible wasn’t another motorist. An attorney from our firm can tell you more about your options during your initial consultation.
What Do I Do After a Motorcycle Accident?
If you are involved in a motorcycle accident in Atlanta, there are a few steps to follow. It is essential to know what to do at the scene of a motorcycle accident.
Get Medical Care
First and foremost, you need to seek medical attention for any injuries. This is particularly important in motorcycle crashes because you could have head trauma or internal injuries that are not immediately apparent.
Call 911
Call the police to report the accident. The police will review the accident scene, take witness statements, and determine the cause of the crash when possible.
Call a Lawyer
Consult with an Atlanta motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible after the incident. You will probably be contacted by the insurance company and asked to make a statement. Talk to your lawyer before you make a statement because what you say could matter to your case.
Don’t Accept a Settlement Before We Review It
You might be offered a settlement check by the insurance company. Don’t accept it if it is less than your expenses. All too often, the insurance company tries to resolve cases quickly in this manner, but by accepting a check, you are probably limiting your right to make any further claims, even if the check doesn’t adequately cover your damages. We will review any settlement offers you get to ensure they cover your current and future losses and pain and suffering.
Is There a Statute of Limitations for Georgia Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits?
Yes; according to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 9-3-33, you can file an accident lawsuit up to two years after your accident. However, if you’ve been in an accident, you should consider filing as soon as possible so that your attorney can more easily contact any witnesses as well as the other individuals involved. Plus, the sooner you get compensation for your injuries, the better.
Do I Have to Pay for a Lawyer Upfront?
No. You have enough unexpected expenses to deal with right now. We don’t want to add another one. We handle motorcycle accident cases on a contingency-fee basis. You pay no upfront fees, no retainer, and no hourly fees. You only pay our attorney’s fees if we win your case.
Talk to a Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Atlanta for Free
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, call Bader Scott Injury Lawyers to speak with a knowledgeable motorcycle accident attorney in Atlanta for free. As experts in dealing with these types of cases, we can communicate and negotiate with the insurance companies on your behalf so that you can focus on the important things in life, like recovering from your accident.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form