When you’re in an accident on a motorcycle, you pay a heavy price. Without the safety protection that a car can provide, motorcyclists can easily suffer road rash, broken bones, and other serious injuries. Our Columbus motorcycle accident lawyers can help you get the money you need.
John Foy & Associates understands what you’re going through, and we want to make the process of getting a financial recovery as easy as possible. With our 20-plus years of experience, our Columbus personal injury lawyers know how to build a case and strong-arm insurance companies to give you what you need.
How Having Legal Representation Helps Your Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
If you were in a wreck and immediately began weighing the pros and cons of hiring legal help, consider the following reasons why having a motorcycle accident attorney in Columbus is necessary:
Access to a Network of Top-Rated Medical Care
When you have legal representation for your motorcycle accident lawsuit, one of the significant benefits is gaining access to a network of top-rated medical care. Experienced personal injury attorneys in Columbus have connections with medical professionals who specialize in treating accident-related injuries.
These medical experts understand the complexities of motorcycle accident injuries and can provide thorough evaluations and treatment plans tailored to your specific needs. Having access to this network ensures that you receive the best possible medical care to aid in your recovery and strengthen your case by documenting the extent of your injuries.
Diminishes Comparative Negligence
In motorcycle accident cases, insurance companies and defense attorneys may try to diminish your claim by arguing comparative negligence. They may contend that certain factors contributed to your accident or injuries, thereby reducing the compensation you are entitled to.
However, skilled attorneys will carefully investigate the details of the accident, gather evidence, and build a strong case to establish the negligence of the other party involved. They will present compelling arguments to minimize any perceived comparative negligence and maximize your chances of receiving fair compensation for your damages.
Investigates Liability Alongside Insurance Companies
Navigating the complexities of liability issues can be challenging in motorcycle accident cases. Insurance companies often try to shift blame or downplay the responsibility of their policyholders to minimize their liability. However, with legal representation, you have a dedicated advocate who will investigate liability alongside the insurance companies.
Columbus motorcycle accident lawyers understand the tactics employed by insurance companies and have the experience to counter them effectively.
Maximizes Compensation for Financial Losses
Motorcycle accidents can result in significant financial losses. Having legal representation can significantly increase your chances of maximizing compensation for these financial losses. Our skilled Georgia personal injury attorneys understand the various types of damages you can claim and know how to calculate their value accurately.
With legal representation, you can have peace of mind knowing that your attorney is fighting for your rights and working tirelessly to secure the maximum compensation you deserve.
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What Damages Can I Collect for My Motorcycle Accident?
You can recover money for any injury as long as your accident caused them to occur. There are many types of damages and motorcycle injuries, but here are the most common.
Medical Expenses
Even with the best protective gear in the world, motorcycle accidents can leave you with severe injuries that can require extensive medical treatment to heal properly.
- “Road rash” is the cuts and scrapes that happen when your body skids along the roadway
- Head injuries, including concussions and disabling traumatic brain injuries
- Broken bones
- Injuries to the neck and back
- Spinal cord injuries
Medical expenses cost thousands of dollars if you don’t have insurance that protects you from high medical costs. For example, a broken bone can cost several thousand to fix without health insurance.
Even with insurance, you’re still looking at high medical costs down the road. You can recover financial compensation for your medical expenses by filing a claim for a settlement and working with a Columbus, GA, motorcycle accident attorney.
Vehicle Repairs
Cars are much heavier than motorcycles. Getting into an accident with one can leave your motorcycle severely damaged. In many instances, your motorcycle could be beyond repair. Whether you need repairs or to replace your motorcycle completely, our lawyers will ensure that you get the money you need to do so in your settlement.
Lost Wages
Recovering from a motorcycle accident takes time. Unfortunately, that time spent recovering means time lost working. Your bills and financial obligations don’t just stop because you got into an accident. You still need to make money, but how can you if you’re unable to work due to your injuries?
You can recover all your lost wages through your settlement. We will help you calculate the value of the pay you missed out on due to your accident and ensure that all of it gets accounted for.
Compensation for Non-Economic Damages
When it comes to financial compensation for motorcycle accidents, there are two types of damages: economic and non-economic. Medical expenses, vehicle repairs, and lost wages count as economic damages because their values are fixed. Non-economic damages don’t have fixed values. They typically include:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional trauma
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Wrongful death
- Disfigurement and disability
We use various formulas to calculate your non-economic damages and your settlement value. While money can’t fix or replace everything, we hope that it can provide you with closure and the ability to recover from what happened.
Can I Collect Punitive Damages from a Motorcycle Accident?
Sometimes. All drivers on the road need to exercise a duty of care for others. If a driver fails to meet that duty through their negligence, they are responsible for whatever accidents they cause. In cases where negligence was extreme, you can potentially recover an award for punitive damages under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) § 51-12-5.1.
Not all motorcycle accident cases will qualify for punitive damages. The best way to see if you’ll get an award for these damages is by talking to one of our motorcycle accident lawyers in Columbus, GA. Keep in mind that punitive damages are mainly to punish the driver for their actions. How much you will get will depend on the outcome of your negotiations or trial.
How Wearing a Helmet Impacts a Motorcycle Accident Claim
In motorcycle accident claims, the decision to wear a helmet can have a significant impact on the outcome of the case for motorcycle riders seeking fair compensation. While negligence on the part of other drivers is often the primary cause of such accidents, insurance companies and defense attorneys may argue that the failure to wear a helmet contributed to the severity of the injuries sustained by motorcycle accident victims.
Even in states where helmets are not mandatory, wearing one can still demonstrate responsible behavior and adherence to safety precautions. Motorcycle riders who have been involved in accidents should consult with experienced personal injury attorneys who can navigate the complexities of the law, counter insurance company arguments, and advocate for fair compensation.
Our motorcycle injury lawyers in Columbus will build a strong case that focuses on the negligence of other drivers and emphasizes that compensation should not be diminished due to the decision to ride without a helmet.
How Much Will it Cost to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Columbus, GA?
We don’t think it’s right to ask you to pay us up-front to help you get money after you’ve gotten injured. That’s why our motorcycle accident attorneys in Columbus, GA, work on a contingency fee basis in all our cases.
- First, we consult with you for free.
- Then, we take care of your case without ever asking you to pay a bill.
- Finally, if we recover money for you, we’ll only take an agreed-upon portion of what you receive in a settlement payout.
Everything else is yours. And if yours is one of the rare cases where we can’t recover anything, you won’t owe us a dime.
How Long Do I Have to File My Motorcycle Injury Claim in Georgia?
In Columbus, GA, you have two years to file a claim before the statute of limitations expires. Many accident victims wonder when to call a motorcycle accident attorney. You shouldn’t delay, especially if you’ve been injured.
After an accident, get medical treatment and reach out to us. Injury symptoms can also be late-onset, so if you experience back pain or other symptoms later on, it’s important to contact an attorney.
We urge that you speak to us first because the insurance company may try and reach out to you. Before you accept their offer or do anything, allow us to help you. If you can build a strong case fast and file your claim at the right time before the expiration date, the chances of recovering a fair settlement are high.
Talk to a Columbus Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for Free
At John Foy & Associates, our single goal is to get you money. We’ve been doing it successfully for more than 20 years, and we’d like to give you a free consultation to talk about your accident and how you were injured.
Call us or fill out the form to schedule an appointment with a Columbus, GA, motorcycle accident lawyer.
706-400-4000 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form