Motorcycle riders are at higher risk for injury for a number of reasons. Motorcycles have little to no protection for the driver, they are smaller and harder to see, and are less stable than four-wheeled vehicles. Injuries in a bike crash are often catastrophic or even fatal.
Learn how our Dublin personal injury lawyer may be able to help with your situation.
If you or a loved one have suffered a motorcycle collision in Georgia, you need to contact a Dublin motorcycle accident lawyer from John Foy & Associates. Known as the Strong Arm in Georgia, our attorneys assess your circumstances and determine who is at fault. We aggressively pursue all avenues of compensation for you and handle the legal complexities while you recover from your injuries.
Motorcycle Accidents Are Common and Dangerous
The Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) reports that although motorcycles comprise only 2% of registered vehicles in Georgia, they are involved in 21% of total driver fatalities. On multi-lane highways full of cars, it is easy for other drivers to overlook a motorcycle. Other common causes of accidents involving bikes include:
- Not signaling for lane changes
- Disregarding stop or yield signs
- Excessive speed
- Reckless driving
- Alcohol or drug use
- Distracted or fatigued driving
- Driving too fast for road or weather conditions
Motorcycle riders frequently suffer drastic wounds. Even though Georgia requires helmets for bikers, head trauma is still the number one injury after a motorcycle crash. Because riders can easily be thrown off their bikes, many other injuries can occur.
Spinal Cord and Spine Injuries
Victims of spinal cord and spine injuries can be paralyzed or die. If they live, they are often permanently disabled and need lifelong care and assistance. Planning for medical treatment and personal care for the remainder of your life is essential as you and your motorcycle accident lawyer in Dublin assess damages.
Broken Bones
Even low-speed accidents can cause severe trauma when a rider is thrown from the bike onto a car, a guardrail, or even the pavement. Riders can experience multiple breaks, including compound fractures where the bone is exposed. Broken bones can also damage internal organs and cause drastic blood loss.
Amputations
In severe accidents, riders may lose a hand or foot to impact or friction on the roadway. Alternately, damage to an extremity, including arms and legs, could be catastrophic enough to require surgical amputation. This can save the life of the rider but leave them permanently disabled.
Head and Facial Injuries
While helmets are required in Georgia for all motorcycle riders, some people may choose to go without a helmet on private property or in rural areas. Speed and lack of protection as risk factors are compounded when the rider’s head collides with any object.
Victims may suffer cracked skulls, skin lacerations, lost eyes, lost teeth, lost ears, broken jaws, closed head trauma, or any combination of these. There is also the risk of decapitation.
Burns
Burns can be one of the most damaging and painful injuries. Gasoline from their own bike or other vehicles can cover a rider’s body. Without proper protective gear, such as leather or flame-retardant clothing, riders can suffer massive wounds all over their bodies.
Other chemicals used in motorcycles can also cause burns if they contact the skin.
Potential Value of a Dublin Motorcycle Accident Claim
Each situation is unique, but because motorcycle riders suffer much more devastating injuries that can have lifelong effects, a lawsuit or insurance claim settlement can be very high. Riders usually need months or years to recover and are in intense pain during treatment. If they are permanently disabled, their families could suffer a financial burden without enough income.
A skilled motorcycle accident lawyer will listen to your story and help you calculate the damages you have suffered. Having a qualified professional manage your claim takes the weight off your shoulders. It saves your family from trying to fight insurance adjusters while they help you heal.
When someone else has caused your injuries, seeking compensation from their insurance company or in a personal injury lawsuit is helpful. Along with past and current expenses, you will likely face extensive treatment costs in the future. These are known as economic damages.
Non-Economic Damages
You will also experience non-economic damages in the form of pain and suffering. Common losses you may seek can include:
- Medical bills
- Rehabilitation therapy costs
- Scarring
- Disfigurement
- Amputation
- Lost wages
- Motorcycle repairs or replacement
- Mood disorders such as anxiety or PTSD
Settlements for motorcycle accident claims can potentially total millions of dollars. A person in their 20s who is severely disabled can obtain compensation to meet their needs for the rest of their lives. Having a skilled Dublin motorcycle accident attorney to negotiate for you is crucial to a fair outcome in your case.
Filing a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Dublin
As soon as possible after your crash, you or a family member should contact a motorcycle accident lawyer. An experienced attorney can work with insurance representatives on your behalf, pushing back against lowball offers. You and your family can focus on getting better as your legal counsel advises you on whether to accept an insurance settlement or proceed with a lawsuit.
To file a suit in Georgia, you must begin the action within two years after the date of the accident (or death if the rider passes away) or lose your option to sue. You and your lawyer must prove the other parties are liable for your injuries by demonstrating beyond a reasonable doubt that:
- The person at fault owed a duty of care to you.
- The person at fault breached or failed in their duty of care.
- You suffered injuries as a result of their failure.
- You incurred expenses from your injuries.
All individuals on the roads owe a duty of care to others to follow the laws and act carefully. When they fail to do so, your lawyer can show their liability to the court. Evidence can come from several sources:
- Traffic cameras
- Dashcams
- Photos of the accident scene and your injuries
- Witness statements
- Accident investigation reports
- Police crash reports
- Medical records
- Testimony from medical, accident, and other experts
- Cell phone records
- “Black box” event data recorders
Many motorcycle accident claims are settled out of court before going to trial. A compelling argument by your motorcycle accident attorney in Dublin can show the defendant’s lawyer that you will fight for everything you are owed. To avoid the expense and time of a trial, the person to blame will often offer a satisfactory settlement.
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Distance is no obstacle. We work with clients across the country and make sure every one of them feels taken care of, no matter how far the call travels.
Contact a Dublin Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
If you are a rider or passenger injured in a motorcycle crash, you need professional, experienced guidance from someone who knows the legal system. Recovering the full amount you deserve for your losses requires a qualified Dublin motorcycle accident lawyer from John Foy & Associates.
Our team has won over $1 billion in settlements and jury awards over the past two decades for clients just like you. Do not leave your future and health to chance. Contact us using our convenient online form and schedule your free consultation today.
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