Motorcycle accidents in Brunswick can be particularly severe, as motorcycles just don’t provide the same level of protection as cars and trucks in a collision. If you’re involved in a motorcycle accident, you can suffer serious injuries like broken bones, concussion, road rash, and even death. This can result in huge medical bills, the loss of your bike, and other consequences that weren’t your fault.
If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident the other driver caused, you have rights. You’re entitled to seek money for all costs associated with the accident. Don’t let the other driver or their insurance company prevent you from getting the financial recovery you need and deserve to move on from this unfortunate event. Contact a Brunswick personal injury lawyer today who can help.
At John Foy & Associates, we’ve been working with motorcycle accident victims for 20+ years, and we understand the pain associated with the accident aftermath. Bikers are unfortunately too-often blamed for accidents they have no fault in, but we know the truth—and we’re here to help.
Our law firm is also risk-free to work with, meaning we don’t get paid unless we win YOU money. Get started today with a FREE consultation to discuss your accident and your options. Call us at 404-400-4000, or fill out the online form to your right for your free consultation.
The Other Vehicle didn’t Give Me Enough Space. What Are My Rights?
Motorcycles have the same rights on Georgia roads as all other drivers. Sadly, other motorists don’t always know or respect this, and they can fail to give bikers enough space on the roads. Since motorcycles are smaller and thinner than other vehicles, they are easily missed by drivers not paying enough attention. Bikers can be hit or “cut off” while drivers are changing lanes or turning, for example.
Under Georgia law, though, motorcycles are entitled to full use of a lane just like other drivers. Under code 40-6-312a, “no motor vehicle shall be driven in such a manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a lane.” If the other driver did not respect this and tried to take up a lane you were riding in, they were not following Georgia’s law regarding motorcycles.
It’s important to tell both Brunswick police (who should be called after an accident) and your motorcycle accident lawyer if the other driver was taking up space on the road you have a right to use. If your rights were being violated and it resulted in an accident, the other driver is liable for your damages.
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How Much Money Can I Recover in a Motorcycle Accident in Brunswick?
Georgia is an “at fault state,” meaning if an accident occurs, the person who caused the accident (and their insurance company) is responsible for all damages resulting from the accident. So, if the other driver is found to be at fault (which is commonly the case in motorcycle accidents), they are liable for any costs (also known as “damages”) you face from the accident. Those damages can include:
Medical Costs
When motorcycle accident occurs, the damage is often much worse for the biker than other motorists. Modern cars are built with lots of safety equipment, such as beat belts, airbags, and technology-driven safety responses, to protect the drivers and passengers. Since motorcycles don’t include these sorts of protection, injuries can be especially extreme—leaving the biker with mounting treatment costs.
Common motorcycle accident injuries include:
- Head injuries like concussions or traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Neck and back injuries
- “Road rash” from skidding on the highway
- Scarring
- Spinal cord injuries
The victim in a motorcycle accident can claim damages for all doctor’s visits, treatment costs, prescription medications, and surgeries related to injuries from the accident.
Motorcycle Repair Costs
If your motorcycle requires repair, or even replacement, from the accident, you’re entitled to recovery for those costs.
Time Missed from Work
The accident itself and treatment for your injuries can cause you to miss work. Those lost wages are damages you can claim.
Pain and Suffering Damages
If a physical injury is present (which is likely in a motorcycle accident), you may also be entitled to pain and suffering damages. Your lawyer can help in calculating these damages, which refer to the physical and mental pain you experience.
Wrongful Death
If a loved one was killed in a motorcycle accident, certain family members can bring a wrongful death case on behalf of the victim. While money can’t erase what the accident took from the victim’s loved ones, seeking financial recovery can help ease the burden.
Do I Have a Case If the Pavement Was Bad?
Motorcycle accidents are not always caused by other drivers. Sometimes, poor road maintenance can lead to serious accidents and injuries. Bad road conditions, like bad pavement, are more dangerous to motorcycles over four-wheel vehicles. Motorcycles are more dependent on having high-friction, level road conditions—otherwise, it’s easy to lose control and suffer an accident.
State and local governments are supposed to keep roads safe for all drivers through proper maintenance. They should also let drivers know of any dangerous road conditions by posting proper signs. Unfortunately, governments are not always good at doing this—leaving bikers at risk of poor road conditions and possibly catastrophic crashes.
If your crash was caused by bad road conditions and/or lack of proper warnings about potential road hazards, the entity responsible for providing upkeep and warning is responsible. In most cases with uneven pavement, that would be state or local government.
Just like with a two-vehicle crash, if a party is negligent, you are still entitled to financial recovery for your damages. If your motorcycle accident was caused by poor road conditions, you should:
- Take a picture of the uneven pavement and the environment surrounding it
- Also, take pictures of all injuries and damages resulting from the crash
- Look for any signs that indicate who is responsible for the pavement
- Speak with a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible
Your lawyer can help you investigate the issue and determine who is the best point of contact for the pavement issue.
Talk to a Brunswick Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for Free
Don’t suffer alone after a motorcycle accident. You shouldn’t have to pay for someone else’s negligence. At John Foy & Associates, we’re here to help you seek the fullest financial recovery possible. For a FREE consultation to discuss your case and the situation, contact us today. Call 404-400-4000, or fill out the form to your right to get started with your free consultation.
912-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
