Georgia’s picturesque scenery and temperate climate make it ideal for riding motorcycles. However, motorcycles can also be incredibly dangerous, particularly for inexperienced riders. According to the Georgia Department of Driver Services, 21 percent of driver fatalities in the reported year were motorcyclists, even though just two percent of all registered vehicles in the state were motorcycles.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence in Lawrenceville, contact the motorcycle accident lawyers at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC right away. You could be entitled to compensation for your medical expenses, lost income, and other losses you incurred due to the accident. Our Lawrenceville motorcycle accident attorneys have extensive experience helping people like you seek the full and fair compensation they deserve. Contact us by phone, fill out a contact form, or chat with us live for a free, no-risk case evaluation today.
Compensation Available in a Georgia Motorcycle Accident Claim
If another motorist caused your injuries, you could recover compensation for expenses and losses you suffered in the motorcycle accident.
You might be able to recover compensation if you were injured in a Lawrenceville motorcycle accident for:
- Present and future medical costs —Medical costs can include hospital bills, physical therapy, prescription costs, and more.
- Lost income —This includes lost income if you can’t work while you are recovering from your injuries.
- Lost future income —If the accident leaves you disabled and you can no longer perform your vocational duties, it can affect your future income.
- Property damage —These damages can include the cost of repairing or replacing your motorcycle.
- Physical and emotional pain and suffering —This can include loss of quality of life, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and more.
- Punitive damages — Punitive damages are rare but can be awarded to punish an at-fault party in addition to other compensation.
A Lawrenceville personal injury attorney can help you document your financial and non-financial losses and calculate the value of your claim. Insurance companies are for-profit entities, which means they will actively look for ways to minimize the amount they must pay you. Hiring an injury attorney to handle negotiations on your behalf will significantly improve your chances of recovering the settlement you deserve.
If insurance does not provide the compensation you deserve, you may want to pursue a motorcycle accident lawsuit. An experienced Lawrenceville motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to navigate you through this process. They can also ensure you have all of the evidence to demonstrate your needed motorcycle accident compensation.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Lawrenceville
While some motorcycle accidents are caused by driver error, many are caused by other drivers’ negligence. Motorists often fail to notice motorcyclists even when paying attention because they’re so focused on other cars.
Some of the most common causes of motorcycle crashes in Lawrenceville are:
- Distracted driving — Distracted driving occurs when a motorist takes their attention off the road. Common driving distractions include texting, talking on the phone, eating and drinking, personal grooming, and adjusting the radio. Distracted driving is one of the most common causes of traffic-related accidents today.
- Drunk driving —Alcohol, drugs, and even some types of prescription drugs can cause impaired judgment and delayed reaction time. Drunk driving is also frequently accompanied by other reckless driving behaviors, such as speeding, aggressive driving, road rage, and more.
- Speeding —Speeding also frequently causes motorcycle accidents. The faster a motorist travels, the more time and distance they need to stop. Driving too fast for conditions can also contribute to motorcycle crashes. If a motorist is driving too fast in inclement weather or heavy traffic, they are more likely to cause an accident.
- Tailgating —Tailgating occurs when a motorist follows another vehicle or motorcycle too closely. If the rider in front suddenly slows down or stops, the tailgating driver might not have time to stop before causing a rear-end collision.
Common Injuries You Can Suffer After a Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle accidents commonly result in severe and life-altering injuries. Passenger vehicles come equipped with airbags, seatbelts, anti-lock brakes, and other safety features designed to protect motorists from the force of a collision. However, motorcyclists have very little protection from an impact.
Some common motorcycle accident injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries —Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs) are frequently caused by a violent blow to the head. This can result in a range of injuries, from minor concussions to severe brain bleeds and hematomas. TBIs commonly cause symptoms such as persistent headaches, confusion, blurred vision, light sensitivity, impaired motor functions, and psychological issues. In severe cases, they can be life-threatening and require emergency medical care. Motorcyclists who don’t wear a helmet are especially vulnerable to TBIs.
- Back and spinal cord injuries —Back sprains and strains, pinched nerves, ruptured discs, and fractured vertebrae commonly occur in motorcycle accidents. While some back and spine injuries are minor or moderate, others can be life-altering. If the spinal cord is broken, it can lead to paralysis. Depending on where the injury occurs, paralysis could occur in the legs, pelvis, or all four limbs.
- Broken and fractured bones — Because riders are typically directly impacted by a collision, motorcycle accidents frequently result in broken and fractured bones. Although fractures can occur anywhere throughout the body, they commonly occur in the legs, arms, hips, ribs, and wrists. These injuries can take months to recover from fully. Broken and fractured bones typically require surgery and rehabilitative care.
- Internal damage — Internal injuries are very common in severe motorcycle crashes. Some internal injuries, including internal bleeding, aren’t immediately apparent after an accident. This makes it critical to see a medical professional right away.
- Whiplash —Whiplash is a soft-tissue injury that occurs when ligaments, tendons, and muscles in the neck and shoulders are torn as the neck jerks violently back and forth during a collision, often from behind. If left untreated, whiplash can cause complications, including chronic pain and limited range of motion in the neck.
- Road rash —Road rash can occur when a motorcyclist is thrown from their bike during a collision. As they slide across the pavement, the asphalt can scrape their skin and cause bleeding. Complications can occur if the injuries become infected. Many motorcyclists wear leather jackets to prevent road rash.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident that someone else caused, you have the right to pursue compensation through a personal injury claim or lawsuit.
Determining Fault in a Georgia Motorcycle Crash
Establishing fault after a motorcycle accident can be challenging, especially if the other motorist tries to shift some of the blame to you. To prove liability, you will need to show that the person who hit you had an obligation to drive responsibly and that they neglected that responsibility somehow. For example, if the driver was texting when they hit you, that would be an example of negligence.
You will also need to show that the driver’s negligence directly contributed to the accident and your injuries. Traffic camera footage, cell phone records, witness statements, and other documentation can draw a link between the motorist’s negligence and your injuries.
Lastly, you need to demonstrate that you suffered losses due to the accident, such as medical expenses or lost wages. A skilled motorcycle accident attorney in Lawrenceville, GA will have the resources to conduct a thorough investigation into the accident, identify the liable party or parties, and gather the necessary evidence to prove fault.
What To Do After a Lawrenceville Motorcycle Accident That Wasn’t Your Fault
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident that was caused by someone else, there are several steps you should consider taking after the accident to safeguard your rights:
- Call 911 —If you can, call first responders to the scene. If not, have someone else call 911 for you. When law enforcement arrives, they will draft a report, which you’ll need for the motorcycle accident claims process.
- Collect evidence —If possible, take photos and videos before leaving the scene. You should take pictures of your injuries, the damage to your motorcycle and the vehicle that hit you, and the scene of the accident as a whole from various angles. If anyone witnessed the accident, you should ask them for their contact information. Witnesses can provide valuable testimony to strengthen your case.
- Seek medical attention —Get evaluated by a medical professional right away. You could have sustained injuries that you aren’t even aware of, which a physician will be able to detect. Additionally, most insurance companies require injury victims to be evaluated within 72 hours after an accident. If a medical professional doesn’t see you within that time frame, the insurance company might deny your claim.
- Gather documents —Keep a running file containing all of your medical records, hospital bills, other medical costs, evidence collected at the scene, the police report, and any other documentation related to the accident.
- Keep a pain journal —You should keep a daily journal in which you describe your level of physical pain and your emotional state. An attorney may use this document to quantify your non-financial losses.
- Don’t post on social media —Avoid discussing the accident on social media until your case has been resolved. Remember, the insurance company could use anything you say publicly against you to reduce or deny your claim.
- Contact a motorcycle attorney –You should consult with a seasoned Georgia motorcycle accident lawyer right away. Trying to navigate the claims process on your own can be overwhelming, especially if you are seriously injured. A motorcycle accident attorney will have the ability to handle every aspect of your case, including settlement negotiations with the insurance company.
Talk to Our Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Lawrenceville, GA Today
Were you injured in a motorcycle accident that someone else’s negligence caused? If so, you could be eligible to recover compensation. Contact the Lawrenceville motorcycle accident lawyers at Brauns Law Accident Injury Lawyers, PC for a free consultation to learn more about how our attorneys can help you with your case.
