Knowing a lawyer can help you get compensation after a motorcycle accident is one thing. Knowing when you should get a lawyer for a motorcycle accident is another. The sooner you do so, the more time a lawyer has to investigate the accident, speak to witnesses, and meet the required deadlines.
Without paying anything out of your pocket, you can get an Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer who can also deal with the insurance company so you can focus on getting better. They can gather evidence, assess your financial recovery, and represent you at every phase of the settlement negotiation process.
Get a Lawyer if You are Entitled to Compensation for a Motorcycle Accident
Financial recovery after a motorcycle collision can be more complicated than you might think. It means correctly assessing your damages—and getting it right—since you cannot request additional damages after your case is resolved.
Financial compensation for motorcycle accident victims can include:
- Ongoing medical bills
- Rehab and therapy
- Ongoing loss of income
- Loss of earning ability
- Property damage or loss
- Disability or disfigurement
- Physical pain and suffering
- Mental and emotional anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death damages, if applicable
You should get a lawyer to help you avoid having your recoverable damages undervalued or underpaid.
Your Lawyer Can Help You File Your Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit on Time
The window of opportunity for filing a civil lawsuit in Georgia is small. It is also mandatory and missing it can mean you cannot file your lawsuit at all. In general, you have two years to file your personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, according to O.C.G.A § 9-3-33.
You should get a lawyer who understands the filing time limits and the circumstances that could cause it to fluctuate. Their familiarity with that statute of limitations can help you avoid a potentially costly filing delay.
For a free legal consultation, call 404-214-2001
Get A Motorcycle Accident Attorney if Fault and Liability are in Question
Fault and financial liability for a motorcycle accident are defined by the negligence, recklessness, or carelessness that caused the accident. Your attorney will establish the elements of negligence, including:
- Duty of care: The at-fault party’s legal responsibility
- Breach of duty: Failure to meet their legal obligation
- Causation: The act that directly caused the accident
- Damages: Your resulting financial expenses and losses
You should get an experienced attorney who understands negligence under Georgia law and its implications on your compensation request.
Your Attorney Can Clarify Contributory Negligence Laws in Georgia
If the at-fault driver or other party alleges that you caused or contributed to the accident, it could affect your financial recovery. According to O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33, your compensation could be decreased by any percentage of fault attributed to you.
A lawyer can help you prove you did not cause the accident and are entitled to recover 100% of your damages. If you are found to bear any degree of liability, you should get a lawyer who can help you fight for an accurate assessment of your role in the collision.
Injured Motorcycle Riders Should Get a Lawyer to Deal with the Insurance Company
Whether you file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company or your own, a lawyer can help you deal with all its moving parts. Your lawyer will:
- Handle all verbal and written correspondence
- Complete and submit insurance claim forms
- Answer information and evidence requests
- Clarify complex legal and insurance terminology
- Provide regular and timely updates on your case
- Negotiate a fair and appropriate monetary settlement
You should choose an experienced lawyer who knows how to deal with the details and intricacies of the insurance company and fight for the best possible outcome for you.
Your Lawyer Can Manage the Insurer’s Information and Evidence Requests
The circumstances and causes of your motorcycle accident are told with the collected evidence. A lawyer can help you collect all the evidence you need and compile it into a comprehensive case file. Your case file can include:
- Official accident report describing the accident
- Medical records describing your severe injuries
- Medical bills describing treatment costs
- Employment records describing your lost wages
- Photos of your physical injuries and both vehicles
- Statements from lay and expert witnesses
You should get a motorcycle accident lawyer who understands the type of evidence you need and who will collect it for you so you can focus on getting better.
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Get a Motorcycle Accident Attorney if the At-Fault Driver Was Uninsured
If the driver who caused your accident did not have insurance, or did not have enough insurance to cover your post-accident compensation, you could still recover damages. A motorcycle accident attorney can help you:
- File a claim with your own insurance company
- File a lawsuit against the vehicle driver directly
You should get a lawyer who understands all your financial recovery options and can help you choose the right one for you.
Your Lawyer Can Help You Identify the At-Fault Party if it Was Not a Driver
A vehicle driver might not be the at-fault party in your accident. Although the same legal principles and parameters will apply to recovering damages, identifying the at-fault party and proving their role in the accident can be more complicated.
Potentially liable parties can also include a vehicle or motorcycle mechanic or motorcycle manufacturer. Liability could also belong to a government or municipal agency if road conditions, or a faulty traffic sign or signal caused your accident.
You generally have six months to file a claim against a government or municipal agency, according to O.C.G.A. § 36-33-5. You should get a lawyer who understands how these factors affect the investigation and filing deadline of your case.
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Get a No-Cost, No-Obligation Motorcycle Accident Claim Review
If you or a loved one was injured in a recent motorcycle crash, you could be entitled to financial recovery. You should get a lawyer for a motorcycle accident who can help you deal with the insurance provider and legal matters involved in obtaining financial compensation.
Learn more about the benefits of hiring our law firm to advocate for you. Contact our legal team at Kaine Law to discuss your case during a free initial consultation today.
Call or text 404-214-2001 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
