Griffin
Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Despite what some motorists believe, motorcycle riders also deserve to feel safe on the roads. Motorcycle riders already have a disadvantage compared to car and truck drivers. They are not protected against the gravel, weather conditions, or other factors that make a motor vehicle accident more likely to happen. 

When they are seriously hurt in a motorcycle accident, it is almost guaranteed that they will suffer injuries that will be difficult to recover from. Reach out to a Griffin motorcycle accident lawyer at John Foy & Associates when you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident.

Vulnerable Body Parts When Riding a Motorcycle

When you are riding on a motorcycle, your entire body is pretty much exposed. While many parts of your body can be seriously injured in a motorcycle accident, one of the most vulnerable body parts is the head. The head is one of the body parts most likely to strike multiple surfaces. 

That is why motorcycle riders are advised to follow mandatory helmet laws. While your head can still get a little banged up with a helmet, a helmet reduces the chances that a motorcyclist will sustain a severe brain injury.

Specific Dangers to Motorcyclists

In addition to the lack of structure around the motorcycle, certain road conditions make the roads dangerous for riders to travel on. Some specific road conditions that motorcycle riders need to watch out for include corners and curves in the roadway. Motorcycle riders need to watch out when driving around corners. 

Corners are difficult for motorcycle riders to see, and when motorcycle riders hit corners too quickly, it can make it more likely for a motorcycle accident to happen.

Poor Road Conditions

In addition to corners, uneven pavement and potholes are other road conditions that can cause serious harm to motorcycle riders. Like cars and trucks, the tires of motorcycles need to be able to drive on even roadways. However, unlike cars and trucks, the tires of motorcycles can become easily torn down when they drive over potholes. 

Once a motorcycle rides over a pothole, the tires and the steering wheel can easily become damaged.

Negligence from Government Agencies

State and local government agencies are responsible for maintaining the safety of roads. Potholes, uneven pavement, missing signs, and the obvious presence of road debris are examples of road maintenance negligence. 

Government agencies deserve to be held accountable for failing to maintain the safety of the roads. These poor road conditions can cause harm to motorcycle riders and other motorists.

Holding Negligent Parties Accountable

You deserve to hold a car driver, truck driver, government agency, or motorcycle manufacturer accountable for your motorcycle accident. Your motorcycle accident is considered a personal injury accident. 

In civil court, you have the right to hold a party financially liable for any injuries their actions have caused you. When you have proven the other party liable for your injuries, the party will be responsible for paying the compensation you requested.

Damages You Can Claim in a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit

Some of the damages that you can sue for in your motorcycle accident lawsuit include medical expenses, property damage, lost wages, and pain and suffering.

Medical Expenses

You can sue for all the medical expenses you have had to pay out of pocket. You can even sue for any medical expenses that you will have to pay in the future.

Property Damage

You can also sue for any damage that has happened to your motorcycle. If you paid for out-of-pocket expenses to repair your motorcycle, you could be compensated for those expenses. You can also pay for the costs of a new motorcycle if your motorcycle is damaged beyond repair.

Lost Wages

You can sue for the amount of time missed from work because of your injuries. This includes the time you took off to deal with physical therapy or recovery.

Pain and Suffering

You can be compensated for the mental and physical pain your motorcycle accident has caused you.

Fighting Against the Defendant’s Lawyers

There will be many obstacles that you will have to face in your lawsuit. One of the obstacles will include fighting against the defendant’s legal counsel. Depending on who was responsible for your accident, the defendant can have a large number of legal resources that they can rely on to silence you. 

On top of dealing with several legal resources, the defendant’s insurance adjusters may insinuate that you were probably the negligent party of your accident as a motorcycle rider.

You Must File a Claim within the Statute of Limitations

There is a small window of opportunity open when injured in a motorcycle accident in Georgia. Under Georgia law, you have only two years from the date of the injury to file a claim. So, if you file the claim one day past the two-year mark, you run the risk of the court dismissing your case.

A motorcycle accident lawyer in Griffin will ensure that your claim is filed within the statute of limitations so you do not miss out on the opportunity to recover compensation. Should you miss the filing deadline, you might be able to receive an extension, but only for extreme circumstances. Those circumstances might include:

• The defendant fled the state and could not be found for service of the lawsuit
• You were incapacitated at the time that the statute of limitations expired
• You were a minor at the time of the accident that left you injured

If you were under the age of 18 when injured in a motorcycle accident, the statute of limitations tolls until your 18th birthday. This means that the clock does not begin to tick until you hit 18. You then have two years from your 18th birthday to file the claim.

Speak with a Griffin Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today

At John Foy & Associates, we understand how a motorcycle accident can financially affect you and your family. Our motorcycle accident attorneys in Griffin can help you fight against the negligent parties and seek the compensation you deserve. Call our office, or complete our contact form to schedule your free consultation today.