Motorcycle accidents are extremely deadly and dangerous. After a negligent driver causes your motorcycle accident, you are entitled under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) § 51-1-6 to file a claim to receive financial compensation. Never pay out of pocket for any of the damages you sustain.
Even if you have the right to file a claim, that doesn’t mean you’ll automatically win a settlement. To do that, you’ll need the assistance of a Woodstock personal injury attorney from John Foy & Associates. It’s not mandatory to hire a lawyer, but not doing so can put you at a significant disadvantage against the insurance company.
Insurance Company Bias Against Motorcyclists
One of the first things you may notice when you try to negotiate for a settlement is that there is significant bias against motorcyclists. Motorcyclists often get perceived as reckless and wild. This couldn’t be farther from the truth. Most motorcyclists are aware of the dangers of the road and know that they need to have extreme caution at all times.
Many motorcycle accidents that occur happen due to the negligence of another driver. Due to this bias, the other driver and their insurance company may still try to pin the blame on you. Don’t give up just because of the stigma that exists against motorcyclists. Always fight back to win the compensation you deserve.
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How Our Woodstock Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Help
Our motorcycle accident lawyers in Woodstock, GA, can assist you in your pursuit of financial compensation in many ways. Here are just a few of the most important ways we can help.
Gathering Evidence for Your Claim
Because of the bias against motorcyclists, strong evidence is critical if you want to negotiate for a fair settlement successfully. While injured, it can be challenging to collect and organize evidence all independently. Our lawyers will gather all the evidence pertaining to your claim on your behalf.
Consulting With Experts
Supporting testimony from experts in accident reconstruction and the medical field can be invaluable when proving your case. For example, if the insurance company or at-fault party tries to claim the accident was your fault or that your injuries aren’t as serious as you claim, our experts can prove them otherwise.
Representing You and Your Best Interests
You don’t have to go through the headache of litigation on your own. Our lawyers will handle all of that for you. Your primary goal should be to heal from your injuries. We will handle all the legal work required for your claim and manage all your communications with other parties. We will always put your best interests forward above anything else.
Calculating Your Damages
Calculating your damages can get very tricky if you don’t know what to account for. With help from our lawyers, the settlement you demand will accurately reflect the damages you sustained. We use various formulas to ensure the accuracy of the financial compensation you need.
Motorcycle Accident Damages You Can Recover
There are several damages that you can recover financial compensation for after your motorcycle accident:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional trauma and mental anguish
- Disability and disfigurement
- Wrongful death
- Lost wages
- Medical expenses
- Motorcycle repairs or replacement
- Various property damages
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
This shortlist sums up the most common damages associated with motorcycle accidents. Whatever damages you sustain, know that so long as they’re related to your motorcycle accident, you can factor them into your settlement.
Average Settlement Amounts for Motorcycle Accidents
The average motorcycle settlement can be thousands of dollars, depending on the severity of your accident and how extensive your damages are. Unfortunately, there’s no way we can tell how much your settlement will be without first examining the details of your case.
From there, our motorcycle accident lawyers in Woodstock can accurately estimate how much you can win from your claim and how much compensation you deserve.
Can I Get Punitive Damages After a Motorcycle Accident?
OCGA § 51-12-5.1 allows for motorcycle accident victims in Georgia to receive additional punitive damages on top of their settlement if they qualify. Punitive damages aren’t compensatory but act as a form of punishment against the at-fault party if they were:
- Egregiously negligent in their actions
- Blatantly disregarded the safety of others with intent
- Committing a criminal act when the accident happened
Not all motorcycle accident cases will qualify for punitive damages, so don’t expect them right off the bat. However, if we see that your case may be eligible, our lawyers will pursue a reward for punitive damages in addition to your settlement.
Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accidents in Georgia
The statute of limitations for motorcycle accidents in Georgia is two years. Keep in mind this is just a general timeframe. Depending on the context and circumstances of your motorcycle accident, you may have even less time. Therefore, you should always strive to get help quickly and call a motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as possible.
Never Accept the Initial Settlement Offer
The insurance company may try to offer you a fast settlement that seems like a good deal. While it’s true that you’ll get compensation fast and without hassle, these settlements made by insurance companies are often much less than what you actually should receive.
So, no matter how good a deal may look, always get the opinion of an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Woodstock first before agreeing to anything.
Talk to Our Woodstock Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Today
Don’t let insurance companies bully you into accepting a settlement for less than what you truly deserve. The Woodstock motorcycle accident lawyers at John Foy & Associates can help you today with a free consultation. Please call us or fill out our online contact form to schedule an appointment. We are available 24/7 to assist.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form