Many bikers in Sandy Springs love the feeling of the open road, and the sense of freedom riding a motorcycle brings. But, unfortunately, motorcycles also come with risks. When a motorcycle crash happens, another driver is often at fault.
If you were in a motorcycle crash through no fault of your own, a Sandy Springs motorcycle accident attorney from John Foy & Associates can help. We only work for injury victims, such as injured bikers. Our team is unafraid to fight for your right to full compensation for your injuries.
What Makes Motorcycle Crashes Different in Sandy Springs
Even when a motorcyclist is incredibly safe on the road, they don’t have the same protection as a passenger vehicle. Cars, trucks, and buses have a hard outer frame and additional safety features that protect drivers and their passengers in a collision. But as someone on a motorcycle, there’s little between you and the road.
You’re more likely to fall or get thrown from your vehicle as a biker. Even with a helmet, head injuries are much more common and serious in motorcycle crashes. Plus, several unfair assumptions about bikers can make it more difficult for the other drivers and the insurance company to take you seriously.
After a motorcycle accident, it’s best to protect yourself by talking to an experienced motorcycle accident attorney in Sandy Springs, GA. John Foy & Associates can ensure you are treated fairly during the injury claim process, help you gather evidence from your crash, and assist you in pursuing compensation from the person or party who caused your accident.
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Top Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Often, a motorcyclist is not at fault for an accident. However, other drivers are often at fault for not giving a motorcycle enough room on the road, failing to see the biker, or making poor decisions that cause a crash.
Here are some of the most common reasons we see motorcycle crashes happening in places like Sandy Springs:
- Drivers changing lanes without checking their blind spots for bikers and other small vehicles
- Drivers cutting off motorcyclists when turning
- Aggressive driving from a driver who does not understand motorcyclists have the same right to be on the road
- Road hazards like poor pavement conditions or potholes
- Lane splitting (traveling between lanes, which is legal in some states but not in Georgia)
A passenger vehicle driver might try to say that a biker appeared out of nowhere or was driving recklessly on the road before the accident. But, in reality, the driver was often negligent and tried to blame the biker. Other times, a driver does not understand Georgia laws, such as Georgia Code § 40-6-312, which allows motorcycles full use of a lane like all other motor vehicles.
Unfortunately, the at-fault driver’s insurance company may use prejudices against bikers to their advantage. They might try to paint you as the negligent one and look for ways to reduce the value of your claim. Our Sandy Springs motorcycle accident attorneys know how to legally protect your rights.
Motorcycle Crash Statistics in Georgia
According to the Georgia Department of Driver Services, there were 3,948 crashes in Georgia. And despite motorcycles being only 2% of vehicles on the road, they were 21% of total driver fatalities.
One of the contributing factors was speeding, which is particularly dangerous for motorcyclists because of the lack of protection. Eighteen percent of the crashes resulted from speeding, but 83% of motorcyclists were helmeted, which can prevent severe injuries.
The total medical cost for all the accidents in Georgia was $221 million. This is a substantial amount of money, and if you don’t have a lawyer to help you recover losses, the aftermath of a motorcycle crash can be difficult to cover out of pocket.
The Costs of a Motorcycle Crash in Sandy Springs
Serious injuries can happen during any type of accident in Sandy Springs, but motorcycle accidents tend to be especially severe. Severe injuries like the following are common in these types of collisions:
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Neck and back injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Spinal cord injuries
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Road rash and lacerations
- Serious injuries that may result in death
After your accident, the at-fault driver’s insurance company might try to offer you an upfront settlement. They know that this money will be tempting, especially when you have large medical bills on the way and are unable to work. However, you should never take the first settlement offer.
The insurance company knows that a quick settlement will be tempting, but if you accept it, you’ll lose your chance at seeking a higher amount. Your damages from the accident are probably much higher than you realize.
It’s in your best interest and future well-being to have a personal injury attorney examine your case and determine its full value before discussing a settlement.
Keep Track of All Your Damages
Besides speaking to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Sandy Springs, GA, as soon as possible, do everything you can to document the costs of your accident. If you can, do the following:
- Take pictures of your injuries, bike damage, and the accident scene
- Call the police after your accident to report it
- See a doctor as soon as possible to get your injuries checked out, no matter how minor or severe they are
- Save all medical bills, receipts, and other evidence of costs
- Keep track of all missed work time and former pay stubs
- Keep a journal detailing how you feel after the accident and how it has impacted your life
Your personal injury lawyer can also help you gather evidence of your accident. The more you can show what happened, how the other driver was at fault, and all your damages, the better it will be for your case and your chances of full compensation.
How Much Is Your Motorcycle Injury Case Worth?
The value of your motorcycle accident case will depend on your injuries and financial losses. On average, a personal injury case can settle for between $3,000 and $75,000. You must prove you deserve the amount you seek in your accident claim.
Each motorcycle wreck will result in different damages. We can calculate your losses and estimate your future care needs to give you an idea of what your case may be worth. Our law firm will fight for the settlement or court award that fully recuperates your financial losses.
Do You Need to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
While you can file an insurance claim without hiring a motorcycle accident attorney in Sandy Springs, GA, you should at least request a free consultation. You can benefit from legal assistance in multiple ways.
Lawyers Know Relevant Laws
Your motorcycle collision is subject to modified comparative negligence. Georgia recognizes that more than one person may contribute to causing an accident.
Therefore, you can still seek damages even if you were partially responsible for your accident. However, your compensation will be reduced according to your percentage of fault.
A motorcycle accident lawyer in Sandy Springs, GA, can also tell you exactly how much time you have to file a personal injury claim or wrongful death claim. While the Georgia statute of limitations gives you two years to file either claim, a lawyer from our team can tell you how your situation may impact your individual deadline.
Lawyers Get Better Settlements
You can recover a better payout if you have legal representation as an accident victim. For instance, we won a $7,740,000 verdict for the family of a motorcyclist who was killed when a car pulled onto the road from a parking lot. We took this case to trial because the at-fault driver’s insurer only offered to pay $25,000.
Can You Afford to Work With a Motorcycle Crash Lawyer?
Injured motorcyclists often hesitate to contact a motorcycle accident attorney in Sandy Springs, GA, because they are worried about the costs. This is completely understandable, especially if facing mounting medical bills and other damages.
However, the good news is that most motorcycle accident lawyers, including John Foy & Associates, work on contingency.
Contingency means the lawyer only gets paid if they win you money in your case. Then, they are simply paid through a percentage of the settlement or award they win you. So, there are no upfront costs, no fee unless you win, and no out-of-pocket costs.
Team Up With a Sandy Springs Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you were hurt in a bike wreck, a motorcycle accident lawyer in Sandy Springs, GA, from John Foy & Associates, could assist you. We will protect your right to compensation after a negligent party injures you.
Call us anytime or contact us online to get started on your motorcycle accident case with a free consultation.
(404) 400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
