The number one cause of motorcycle accidents is driver error. In fact, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the primary cause of more than 90 percent of all motor vehicle accidents is a mistake on the part of one of the involved motorists.
If you or your loved one suffered injuries in a motorcycle crash due to another driver’s negligence, you can seek financial compensation for your medical treatment and other damages.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Collisions
“Driver error” is a broad term. More specifically, the following driving behaviors are among the leading causes of motorcycle accidents:
- Cars turning into the path of a motorcycle. The NHTSA reports that around a third of motorcycle accidents happen at intersections due to a vehicle turning into a motorcycle’s path.
- Speeding and drinking and driving. According to the Insurance Information Institute (III), alcohol use and speeding are two major contributors to motorcycle accidents.
- Low visibility. Many motorcycle accidents occur simply because a vehicle driver fails to see a motorcyclist. Factors affecting visibility include lack of lighting, bad weather, and poor road design.
- Inexperience. Riding a motorcycle takes a different skill set than driving a car, and less experienced motorcyclists may be more likely to get into an accident. Therefore, before taking to the road, it is important that riders understand motorcycle laws and how to operate their bikes. To help ensure safety, the Georgia Department of Driver Services requires that motorcyclists obtain a Class M license. Doing so requires completing a motorcycle safety course or skills exam.
For a free legal consultation, call 404-214-2001
When Can You Recover Motorcycle Accident Damages?
You can recover damages if you have injuries and financial losses caused by another party’s negligence. An attorney with our firm can investigate your collision, determine who or what caused your motorcycle accident, and prove another party is financially liable. In general, we can seek compensation for the following:
- Medical bills. You can seek awards to pay for your current and future medical treatment, including emergency transportation and services, hospital and doctor fees, surgeries, medications, mobility aids, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and long-term nursing care.
- Lost income. You can recover lost wages, benefits, and earnings from work missed due to your accident. In addition, if you suffered a disabling injury that interferes with your ability to work, you may qualify for compensation for reductions to your earning capacity.
- Damaged property. We can pursue the cost of fixing or replacing your motorcycle. We can also recover the cost of any other damaged items, including cell phones, electronics, and safety gear.
- Pain and suffering. You can seek compensation for how your accident injuries affect you physically, emotionally, and mentally. For example, you may recover monetary awards for severe and chronic pain, loss of mobility, depression, anxiety, scarring, disfigurement, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and loss of enjoyment of life.
- Wrongful death. If your loved one suffered a fatal injury, qualifying survivors can pursue compensation for medical expenses, funeral and burial costs, the deceased’s lost income, and loss of the deceased’s care, companionship, and advice.
How Long Do You Have to Take Action?
According to Georgia’s statute of limitations (O.C.G.A § 9-3-33), you must file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit within two years of your accident or your loved one’s passing. If you wait too long, the court will likely dismiss your case. An expired statute will also diminish your insurance bargaining power and could result in a reduced or denied settlement. We can help you take action before time runs out.
Do You Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
You do not have to have a motorcycle accident lawyer to file an insurance claim or lawsuit. However, seeking compensation alone can take a lot of time and effort better spent on recovering from your injury or caring for your hurt family member. Additionally, personal injury cases can quickly become overwhelming if you do not have experience, especially if the insurance company plays hardball.
A lawyer with our firm can:
- Draft and file your insurance or legal paperwork
- Communicate with insurers and involved parties
- Identify and calculate your damages
- Prove negligence using evidence such as police reports, dashcam and surveillance video, photographs of your injuries and motorcycle damages, and eyewitness testimony
- Put multiple decades of experience behind aggressively negotiating the most advantageous possible settlement
- Represent you at trial if needed
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Contact Kaine Law for a Free Consultation
The number one cause of motorcycle accidents is driver error, and we can help you hold the person who hurt you financially responsible. An attorney with our firm can assist you with an insurance claim or lawsuit.
Contact Kaine Law for a free consultation and learn more about how our Georgia personal injury attorneys can take your case for nothing upfront or out of pocket. 24/7 support. Connect with a lawyer near you today.
Call or text 404-214-2001 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
