Have you been hurt in a motorcycle accident? If you have, you are not alone. Statistically, thousands of people are injured or killed while riding a motorcycle every year. Following these accidents, only some choose to file a legal claim against the person who caused the accident because doing so can be challenging.
If you feel like you were injured due to the negligence of someone else, it is time for you to contact a Conyers personal injury lawyer.
Motorcycle Accident Causes
A majority of motorcycle accidents are caused by the negligence of another motorist, rather than driver errors made by motorcyclists. While motorcyclists can cause their own accidents, it is more likely that someone else made a decision that ended up hurting them. Because motorcycles offer minimal protection, these accidents can be devastating.
Fortunately, injured motorcyclists have some recourse available in the form of motorcycle accident claims. Though many accidents are caused by someone else’s negligence, there are also other causes of motorcycle accidents. For example, poor road conditions can lead to a motorcycle rider losing control of their vehicle and crashing into another vehicle or fixed structure.
At other times, these accidents happen because the driver was distracted and unable to react to their surroundings quickly enough. Here is an extended list of examples of common motorcycle accident causes:
- Poor lane changing procedure
- Driving above the speed limit
- Distracted motorists
- Drunk or otherwise impaired drivers
- Weather hazards
- Road hazards
- Open car doors that are in a motorcyclist’s path
- Drivers that tailgate
- Poorly trained drivers
- Negligent drivers
Get the strong arm
Filing a Motorcycle Accident Claim
Filing a claim is necessary to get the money you deserve from the party you believe caused your accident. Without filing against the at-fault party or their insurance, you have pretty much no chance of getting any compensation for your injuries. Although filing a claim does increase these odds upwards of zero, doing so without the help of a Conyers motorcycle accident lawyer does not give you the best opportunity possible.
If you have no legal experience, filing alone may even result in you being blamed for the accident, leaving you unable to recover any compensation at all. By hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer in Conyers to represent you in your claim, you get help with all of the following steps to litigating a claim:
Investigating the Incident
Your lawyer will investigate the circumstances that occurred leading up to the accident in order to determine who was at fault. Their investigation serves the purpose of allowing them to collect information and evidence that they can then evaluate to get deeper into the details.
Lawyers are trained to collect admissible evidence efficiently, and they are also equipped with the skills needed to assess each piece of evidence to find facts. While individuals may be capable of gathering evidence on their own, many laymen lack the expertise needed to string everything together to build a valid case.
Performing Eyewitness Interviews
Eyewitness testimony can be a game changer in personal injury proceedings. Hopefully, you collected contact information from anyone who was present at the accident scene. If not, your Conyers motorcycle accident lawyer may be able to use local footage to track down the people that saw the accident.
Keep in mind that multiple people providing similar testimony is a very effective way to prove to a judge what actually happened.
Negotiating With Insurance Companies
When all of the evidence is organized in a presentable way, it will be time to start negotiations. When picking a lawyer, it is highly important to assess the quality of their negotiation skills. How much motorcycle settlements amount to often depends on how well a motorcycle accident attorney in Conyers can negotiate on their clients’ behalf.
The people they will be negotiating with are other lawyers and insurance adjusters who will do everything they can to diminish the validity of your claim. With a proper negotiator representing you, this should not be a problem.
Representing You in Court
Sometimes negotiations fall through, and a deal cannot be made. In these instances, plaintiffs must take their claims to court. At this stage, you will almost certainly need a lawyer to help you present your case effectively.
Without one, you may struggle to argue for your right to full compensation. Inability to argue your claim often results in minimal compensation being granted, if any.
Average Motorcycle Accident Settlements
We are unable to provide an exact estimate of average motorcycle accident settlements. Each case is different, so settlement amounts vary greatly. The amount of money you are offered by the insurance company completely depends on the circumstances of the accident, the damages you are trying to recover, and other factors.
If things do not add up properly from the perspective of the defendant or judge, the amount you are due may not be what you actually get. Claims that result in only minor injuries or property damage may warrant a small settlement of a few thousand dollars. Accidents that caused catastrophic injuries, on the other hand, could warrant millions of dollars in compensation.
To get a baseline idea of what you stand to recover, speak to a Conyers motorcycle accident attorney today. For reference, these are some damages you may be able to claim:
- Medical care costs
- Lost wages
- Decreased earning ability
- Damaged property
- Non-economic losses, like;
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional duress
- Loss of companionship
Were You Injured in a Motorcycle Accident?
Take action if you were injured by the negligence of another motorist or other party. The personal injury lawyers at John Foy & Associates are ready to speak to you. For a free case evaluation, use the contact form on this page to schedule an appointment.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form