Riding a motorcycle comes with its own risks in Carrollton. Since you don’t have the same level of protection car and truck drivers have on the road, a motorcycle accident can leave the victim with serious injuries including broken bones, concussions, or even death. Plus, most bikers can live with a degree of stigma if the other driver wrongfully believes they were being reckless or out of place on the road.
If you were injured (or are dealing with the wrongful death of a loved one) during a motorcycle accident, it’s time to get in touch with a great Carrollton motorcycle accident lawyer right away.
Our attorneys at John Foy & Associates know from daily experience with our clients just how painful the results of a motorcycle accident can be for the victim. And we want to help. For over two decades, we’ve been fighting for the rights of personal injury victims like you.
We know how to build a solid case, strong-arm insurance companies, and fight for the money you deserve. To speak with us for FREE during a no-cost consultation, call us today at 404-400-4000, or fill out the form to the right of this page.
Three Things You NEED to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
The moments following a motorcycle accident matter. Most importantly, your health matters. If you have serious injuries that require medical treatment immediately, don’t delay getting the help you need. Call 911 and get treatment right away. Otherwise, here are three things you must do, if you’re well enough, after being hit:
1. Call the Police
Dial 911 to report the accident to your local police right after the accident happens. This will prompt officers to arrive at the scene and create a police report of the accident. Give them as many details as you can remember, and remain courteous but also remind them that bikers have as much right to the road as other drivers.
If the other person (or people) involved in the motorcycle accident doesn’t want to call authorities, do it anyway. They may have their own reasons for not wanting to report the accident—for example, if they are an uninsured motorist or were engaging in drunk driving—but this is all the more reason for you to let the police know about the accident.
You need to protect yourself first, and if the other party has a reason for not contacting the police, they likely have something to hide.
2. Gather Information (Especially from the Other Party)
Exchange first and last names, insurance information, and phone numbers with the other driver. You’ll also need to present the police with your insurance information at the scene.
Other information you should compile at the scene includes:
- Pictures of your injuries. Use your phone to take photos of every body part that was injured, even if it doesn’t seem bad at the time. You’ll also want to take pictures over the next few hours, days, and even months or years, depending on how badly you were hurt. This will document how your injuries change over time, as some can worsen after the accident.
- Pictures of bike damage. Changes are, your motorcycle was damaged in the accident—probably pretty badly. Photograph these damages so you have proof of how extreme they were.
- Everything you can remember. As you’re waiting for police, write down or type in your phone’s notepad app everything you remember leading up to, during, and directly after the accident. These details are pertinent in showing how the other party may have made decisions (or failed to take action) that resulted in the accident.
- Information from witnesses. Speak to anyone who saw the accident happen. Ask for their name and contact information. If they can stay until police arrive, they can provide a witness statement. Either way, your lawyer will likely reach out to them when compiling evidence.
- Pictures or video of the other driver. If you feel the other driver is acting intoxicated or in some other suspicious way, document this. You might take a video of them to record how they’re behaving.
3. Don’t Give or Accept Anything from the Insurance Company
The other party’s insurance company will try to contact you after the accident. For your own safety, it’s best to not speak with them until you can contact an attorney to do it for you. They will try to get information from you, often in sneaky ways, that could be used against you when trying to reach a settlement.
The insurer may also try to offer you a low-ball amount of money just to settle the case and be done with it. Don’t accept this. You deserve much more, and it’s never enough to cover all of your costs.
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The Other Vehicle Didn’t Give Me Enough Space. What Are My Rights?
According to Georgia motorcycle laws, you are entitled to the full use of a lane “and no motor vehicle shall be driven in such a manner as to deprive any motorcycle of the full use of a lane” on Carrollton and all Georgia roads.
Other drivers are legally required to allow you your own lane and give you enough space to drive like everyone else. If they didn’t do this, your rights were violated. This is a crucial detail you’ll need to divulge to a motorcycle accident lawyer right away. They can use this to demonstrate the other driver’s negligence in allowing you proper room on the road.
Talk to a Carrollton Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for Free
At John Foy & Associates, we’ve been working with motorcycle accident victims and their families for over two decades. We know how to handle cases like this and fight for your rights to be on the road—and recovery what you need to move on from the experience.
We also take a “no-risk” approach to services for our clients: you don’t pay us unless we win you money. This starts with a FREE consultation where we can look at your cases and discuss your next best options.
To grab this free consultation, call us today at 404-400-4000, or fill out the form to the right.
(404) 400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
