Although many motorcyclists are careful riders in Sandy Springs, some can make mistakes that lead to accidents. Inexperience, reckless riding, and other factors can become dangerous quickly. If you have suffered injuries in a negligent motorcycle rider accident, you might have a right to compensation.
A motorcycle accident can leave you with painful injuries, costly medical bills, and more. However, you shouldn’t have to bear the costs of someone’s carelessness. A Sandy Springs motorcycle accident lawyer can help you seek financial recovery for your damages.
John Foy & Associates helps injury victims throughout Georgia. We have a 20-plus year history of winning what our clients deserve. Our lawyers work on contingency, meaning there’s no charge unless we win you money.
To get started with a free consultation today, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
Leading Causes of Negligent Motorcycle Rider Accidents
Having a motorcycle comes with responsibilities. Riders must be careful to ride correctly and follow all traffic rules. If that doesn’t happen, a motorcyclist can become seriously injured or injure others during an accident.
The risk of an accident is highest during the first year of riding. An inexperienced or young rider will make more mistakes than those who’ve been riding for many years.
Inexperienced or carelessness actions that lead to accidents can include:
- Lane splitting: Lane splitting is when a motorcycle rider goes between two traffic lanes. According to the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §40-6-312, a motorcyclist cannot ride “between lanes of traffic or between adjacent lines or rows of vehicles.” Lane splitting can quickly lead to accidents with unsuspecting drivers.
- Rider inexperience: New motorcycle riders are more likely to make mistakes on the road. When a rider drives unsafely, they put everyone else at risk.
- Speeding: Motorcycles can maneuver more quickly than cars and larger vehicles. Plus, many people enjoy the thrill of riding a bike on the open road. Unfortunately, this feeling of freedom can lead to more dangerous speeding on motorcycles.
- High-performance motorcycles: Supersport or high-performance motorcycles were built for racing and speeding. These types of bikes are more likely to cause severe and deadly accidents.
- Road hazards: When road conditions are unsafe, motorcyclists are more likely to crash and cause injuries. An inexperienced rider might not respond fast enough to uneven pavement, road debris, potholes, or other hazards.
- Drunk driving: Anyone under the influence is not safe to drive or ride. If a negligent motorcycle rider is on drugs or alcohol, they are not stable enough to be on the road. They could cause an accident at any moment.
An inexperienced rider doesn’t know how to respond to risky conditions. They can also make careless mistakes that lead to a crash with other drivers. However, that is no excuse. Even new riders should pay attention to the road and avoid causing harm.
If you were injured because of a negligent motorcycle rider, you have rights. You might be entitled to compensation for your medical bills, lost wages, and much more.
To learn your options during a free consultation, call John Foy & Associates at (404) 400-4000.
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What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
After a motorcycle accident, do what you can to document the crash. Here are some steps to take to protect your legal rights and start building your case.
Get Medical Attention
Motorcycle accidents are often extreme. Even if the motorcycle rider caused the accident, they could have the worst injuries.
Assess the scene and your physical state. If you or anyone else needs emergency medical attention, call 9-1-1 for an ambulance. If you don’t need help at the scene, see a doctor as soon as possible afterward.
Report the Accident
In Georgia, you must report an accident with:
- Physical injuries
- Deaths
- At least $500 in property damage
Most motorcycle accidents involve at least one of these criteria. Even if you’re not sure about your injuries, call the Sandy Springs Police Department to report the accident.
Responding officers will create an accident report on what happened. You will need a copy of this report for your records.
Exchange Information
Exchange the following information with the rider and any other drivers:
- First and last names
- Contact information
- Insurance information
- License plate numbers
- Driver’s license numbers
If the motorcycle rider was at fault, you can file a claim with their auto insurance company. In Georgia, the at-fault driver’s insurance company should pay for the accident damages.
Before talking to the rider’s insurance company, contact a lawyer. The insurance company will look for ways to pay less than you deserve. Consulting a lawyer ensures you know your rights and what you deserve.
Document the Scene
Preserve the scene with picture evidence. Use your phone or a camera to take pictures of:
- Your injuries
- Any of your passengers’ injuries
- Your vehicle damage
- The entire accident scene
Also, talk to anyone who witnessed the accident. Eyewitness statements can be really powerful for an accident claim. Ask witnesses for their names and contact information so your lawyer can reach out later.
Contact an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Call a lawyer as soon as possible after your accident. A lawyer can help you gather evidence from the scene and more. They can also determine what type of compensation you deserve and how you can fight for it.
Most accident lawyers offer a free consultation, so there is no risk to get started. We also work on contingency, so there is no charge unless we win your case.
Get Started on Your Sandy Springs Negligent Motorcycle Accident Case Today
Motorcycle accidents can cause severe damages and costly expenses. Plus, an accident can mentally and emotionally affect you for many years. If a negligent rider was at fault, contact a motorcycle accident lawyer to discuss your options.
John Foy & Associates has been helping injury victims for over 20 years. We know what it takes to build a strong case and win. We also won’t charge you a fee unless we win you compensation.
To get started with a free consultation, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
404-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
