Between a motorcycle’s lack of protection and susceptibility to blind spots, motorcyclists are already at risk of getting hurt in an accident, and Georgia’s growing population only adds to this threat.
If you or a family member was a motorcycle accident victim, an Athens personal injury lawyer from Kaine Law could fight for your right to compensation. The physical, emotional, and financial upset you and your family suffered could be compensable.
Kaine Law Works on a Contingency-Fee Basis
The cost of paying for a lawyer should not be among your concerns after getting hurt. So, when you come to us, we provide a free case review where you can learn more about your financial recovery options.
A representative from our team can answer the following questions:
- What happens if the at-fault party was uninsured?
- How long do I have to file a wrongful death lawsuit?
- How long will it take to settle my case?
- What happens if the insurer does not offer a fair settlement?
If we decide to work together, we will offer our help on a contingency-fee basis, which means:
- You do not pay anything until your case concludes.
- We do not require anything to start building your case.
- We take our fees from the settlement or court award we get for you.
- We will mutually decide on the details of our arrangement at the beginning of our partnership.
For a free legal consultation with a motorcycle accident lawyer serving Athens, call 404-214-2001
We Have Decades of Collective Experience
We have secured compensation for injured motorcyclists in the past. Some awards that we have won include:
- We won $650,000 for an injured motorcyclist.
- We secured $450,000 for an injured motorcyclist.
- We recovered $500,000 for someone injured while riding an all-terrain vehicle (ATV).
- We want to recover compensation for your injury-related losses. We will not settle your case without your permission.
Recoverable Damages in Your Motorcycle Accident Case
The Association for the Advancement of Automotive Medicine states that head, abdominal, and thoracic injuries are common after motorcycle accidents. Your injuries could allow you to recoup the following losses:
Past and Expected Medical Bills
This category includes compensation for:
- Hospitalization
- Diagnostic exams
- Medications
- Surgeries
- In-home nursing
- Rehabilitation
- Doctors’ visits
By using your medical bills and testimony from your healthcare team, we can calculate the cost of medical bills you can expect to incur in the future.
Lost Wages
Your injuries could prevent you from working full time (or at all). By reviewing your employment records and pay stubs, you could be eligible to recover lost:
- Promotions
- Bonuses
- Tips
- Commissions
- Hourly wages
- Salary
- Employee benefits
We can even account for reduced earning capacity in your claim. This loss means that if your injuries harm your earning power, you could be compensated for this loss.
Property Damage Expenses
If your motorcycle needs repairs, we could determine its value and fight for financial recovery on your behalf. Additionally, if your motorcycle was totaled, we could fight for the money it would cost to replace it.
Pain and Suffering
Your physical and emotional anguish after getting hurt is compensable. We can calculate this expense based on your lost wages, injuries, and expected recovery time.
Disability
If you are expected to have a long-term disability after getting hurt, we could determine the cost of this hardship and pursue damages based on our findings.
Funeral Expenses
If you lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, we could pursue the cost of cremation, burial, and the service itself. With Kaine Law in your corner, there are other types of damages that we may recover on your behalf.
Things to Know After Getting Hurt in a Motorcycle Accident
While you recover from your injuries, Kaine Law can manage your case. Because we pride ourselves on being open with our clients, here are some things we want to share with you about the legal process:
You Are Protected Against Bad Faith Insurance Practices
If the insurer refuses to answer your phone calls, offers you low settlements, or unjustly denies your claim, these tactics could all be examples of bad faith insurance practices. O.C.G.A. § 33-6-34 outlines some things that the insurer cannot do.
We can protect you against these practices and handle all communications with the insurer on your behalf.
You Will Need Evidence to Supplement Your Claim
The insurer will likely ask for evidence to validate your claim during the negotiations process. While recovering from your injuries, you may be in no shape to gather evidence on your own.
However, your motorcycle accident lawyer in Athens can find and utilize the following:
- The accident report
- Photos of your injuries
- Statements from your doctors
- Your imaging scans (like x-rays and ultrasounds)
- Footage of the accident itself
- Testimony from accident reconstruction specialists and medical professionals
We can also use written communication with the involved parties and their insurance representatives to prove certain aspects of your case.
You Must Be Aware of the Time Restrictions Placed on Filing a Lawsuit
Typically, we can settle your motorcycle accident case outside of court. However, there are instances in which we must file a lawsuit. O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 generally sets the time limit at two years. For personal injury, the clock starts ticking on the day of the accident, whereas it begins on the day of death if you are filing for wrongful death.
We don’t want to risk missing the deadline because:
- Evidence of the accident might get lost or destroyed.
- Your case might be denied.
Your attorney can help you abide by this statute of limitations if you alert us about your case soon enough.
You Should Limit Sharing the Details of Your Accident Until Your Case is Over
Sharing too much information about your accident on social media could ultimately work against your interests. Insurance representatives are known to visit injured claimants’ pages and look for information to deny their claims.
You can avoid this situation by staying off social media until your case is over. If you must post on social media, be mindful of the things you share.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
Identifying the Liable Party in a Motorcycle Accident Case
Using the evidence we have compiled, we can determine who caused your accident. In addition to the motorist involved, we might find that others played a role, such as:
- Athen’s city government
- A mechanic
- A vehicle parts manufacturer
- Another third party
Whoever it is, even if multiple parties are liable, we must apply the four elements that constitute negligence to your case:
- Duty: The at-fault party must follow all road rules to keep all road users safe.
- Breach of duty: The at-fault party broke a rule or failed to adapt to road conditions.
- Causation: This breach led to a motorcycle accident.
- Damages: You now have to deal with the damages that stem from the accident.
You Can Recover Compensation Even If You Partially Caused the Accident
O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33 says that even if you partially caused your motorcycle accident, you could still be eligible to recover damages. With evidence, our team can prove that you were the victim of negligence and are entitled to secure compensation.
We will not let the insurance company shift blame for the accident onto you.
Frequently Asked Questions in Motorcycle Accident Cases
A motorcycle accident can leave you facing many questions about the legal process. We can stand by your side and answer them all.
Can I Sue the Other Party Who Caused My Accident?
Generally, you can sue the other party if they caused your accident, yes.
However, we may work to seek the settlement you need through out-of-court negotiations. After all, the trial process can be time- and energy-consuming. It is often beneficial for all parties to seek a settlement and avoid going to court.
Still, if litigation presents the best option for your financial recovery, we will file a civil lawsuit. Our team is prepared to present your case before a jury. We will handle all the legal tasks for you during the trial process and ensure you know what to expect.
How Much Could I Get in a Settlement?
There is no predetermined value for a motorcycle accident case. The potential settlement or award you could receive will vary based on the details of your situation. When we investigate your accident and injuries, we determine a goal settlement or award amount based on these factors:
- How much your medical care costs (and will be expected to cost)
- The seriousness of your injuries
- How substantially your life and career was affected by your injuries
- Who is liable for the motorcycle accident
Other factors can also influence the amount you receive. We can explain what a fair settlement looks like in your case.
If I Had a Catastrophic Injury, Could You Help Me?
Yes, we can help you if you have a catastrophic injury like a traumatic brain injury (TBI) or a spinal cord injury. We understand how these serious injuries can affect every aspect of your life. Therefore, we know how to evaluate these cases and seek what you deserve for your past, present, and future medical treatment and your career changes.
For instance, if you’re living with a TBI, you may require extensive therapy in the months and years following the initial injury. As Mayo Clinic notes, you could require speech therapy, physical therapy, occupation therapy, and other assistance as you work to regain your previous function. Our attorneys will fight for the recovery you need to pay for these treatments.
On the other hand, we can also help you if you suffer more moderate injuries. Don’t think you have to have a catastrophic injury to pursue compensation – you just need to show that you were injured and have damages.
Should I Hire a Lawyer for My Case?
Hiring a lawyer is your choice, not a legal requirement. However, a lawyer can benefit you in many ways as you seek compensation. You may want to hire a lawyer from our team if:
- You are seriously injured and want to do all you can to seek a full financial recovery.
- You aren’t physically or emotionally able to take on a legal case.
- You want an advocate who understands your rights.
- You want help ensuring a smooth legal process.
- You don’t want to deal with paperwork, communications, and other tasks involved in a case.
Our job is to help you seek fair recovery. We will put all our efforts into the task—so you don’t have to.
Start Your Free Case Review with Kaine Law Today
You can trust that your motorcycle accident lawyer serving Athens will put your best interests first. Kaine Law is ready to start advocating for your legal rights today.
To begin your free case review with our team, dial (404) 214-2001.
Call or text 404-214-2001 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
