Motorcycle accidents are a serious matter. The vulnerability of riding a motorcycle can lead to more severe injuries than those who are in a traditional vehicle. A Peachtree City motorcycle accident lawyer from John Foy & Associates can guide you through the process of claiming compensation from an at-fault driver.
Common Motorcycle Accident Causes
Unsure of what the root cause of your motorcycle accident was? A motorcycle accident attorney in Peachtree City can investigate to find evidence proving that one of these causes led to the accident.
- Distracted driving
- Smartphone use while driving
- Driving above the speed limit
- Changing lanes in a hazardous way
- Illegal passing
- Tailgating
- Driving while intoxicated
- Driving while impaired
- Opening a car door
- Weather conditions
- Other road conditions
- Motorcycle defects
One or several of these causes could be the root of the accident that injured you. If you can prove that negligence was the issue at hand, you may be able to recover compensation. Hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer in Peachtree City can boost your chances of success.
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Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle accidents can cause excessive injuries, primarily because motorcyclists have minimal structural protection while they ride. Unlike cars, they are entirely exposed to the force of vehicles that hit them, causing them to be thrown to the ground by excess forces.
Motorcyclists thrown from their bikes can also be hit by other passing cars. For these reasons, motorcycle accidents are far more deadly than passenger vehicle accidents. According to the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration, motorcycle accidents caused a total of 4985 deaths in 2018.
These are some of the injuries victims have experienced:
Broken Bones
Forceful impacts are very common in motorcycle accidents. These impacts can fracture or break bones throughout the body. Although these breaks may not be fatal, broken bones often require significant time to heal, which means time off work resulting in loss of wages.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
The brain is a sensitive organ not built to sustain excessive pressure. When a motorcyclist is thrown to the ground or hit in the head by a vehicle, that incident applies pressure to the brain. That pressure can cause damage that results in cognitive and physical issues, dramatically reducing a victim’s quality of life leading.
Damaged Skin and Muscle Tissue
When a motorcyclist is thrown from their motorcycle, they may slide onto the asphalt. The friction between their body and the road can cause severe burns called road burn. The traction between road and skin can actually remove skin and even tear muscle tissue.
The resulting wounds are incredibly painful and can sometimes permanently disfigure victims. Like other serious injuries, it results in the time needed to heal impedes your ability to make money and work.
Filing a Motorcycle Accident Claim
Filing a civil claim is the best way to recover total compensation for your motorcycle accident. You have the option to file independently, but doing so will likely result in diminished compensation for your claim. Rather than lowering your potential income, trust an attorney to carry you through the legal process.
By hiring a lawyer, you gain access to experienced legal counsel. Your lawyer will perform a range of tasks, including:
Calculating Your Damages
Before you file, you must develop an understanding of what losses you have suffered. This is how you can decide what damages to claim from the at-fault party. Your damages may include a range of losses, separated into economic and non-economic damages.
A victim’s economic damages are the monetary losses they have incurred due to an accident. Examples include the cost of medical bills, wages lost due to injuries, and lost future earning capacity. Non-economic damages are intangible and are better described as emotional and mental suffering. Some non-economic damages could be loss of consortium, pain, and suffering, emotional anguish, mental trauma, etc.
A Peachtree City motorcycle accident lawyer will reference similar cases they have litigated to develop a baseline understanding of what damages may be due to you. Choosing not to get the help of a lawyer could result in getting less than you are actually owed.
Investigating the Accident
The purpose of a civil motorcycle accident claim is to determine fault and place liability. If the defendant does not admit that they were negligent, you or your attorney will need to conduct an investigation of the accident. While you may assume that you can do this independently, results are much better when an attorney is involved in the investigation process.
A skilled attorney will better understand how to navigate a civil investigation. They are also more likely to be informed of the processes that must be carried out to gain access to certain evidence, like CCTV footage. Your attorney will also be better prepared to identify, contact, and interview witnesses who were present at the scene of the accident.
Negotiating for a Settlement
The best-case scenario for most motorcycle accident claims involves the defendant settling for an amount that accurately represents that claimant’s total losses. While it is not likely that this will be achieved immediately, a talented lawyer can negotiate for as long as possible to win a fair deal. If a fair deal is not reached, the next step is going to court.
Fighting in Court
This is where a Peachtree City motorcycle accident attorney comes in handy. Court processes are rather complex and can be stressful or overwhelming. Having a lawyer handle the entire ordeal for you could save you a lot of headaches in the long run.
Stress reduction is not the only reason to have a lawyer handle the court process for you — your attorney will also be better equipped to argue for your right to total compensation in front of a judge or jury.
Get a Lawyer. Get Results.
Motorcycle accidents should not be taken lightly, especially if you have suffered severe or catastrophic injuries. The road to recovery may be long and arduous, but recovering funds to support yourself throughout the process should make it somewhat easier.
Hiring an experienced Peachtree City motorcycle accident lawyer is essential in these cases. Speak with John Foy & Associates legal team to learn your options. You can use the contact form on this page to get in touch.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form