The popularity of motorcycles has risen greatly as many motorists seek the economic advantages and thrills of traveling astride a motorcycle. But as the popularity of these vehicles increases, so does the propensity for motorcycle accidents in Georgia. Because of the nature and design of the motorcycle, motorcyclists are offered little protection and the risk of great damages in case of an accident.
If you or someone in your family has been involved in an accident while riding a motorcycle you may have the right to full compensation for the damages sustained. Call 404-301-1687 and make arrangements to explain your case to a qualified legal professional from the law offices of Smyrna motorcycle accident lawyer, Jamie Ballard.
We have experience in Georgia motorcycle cases and can help you make the best choice on how to move forward. Call 404-301-1687 and arrange a FREE consultation with a Smyrna auto accident lawyer for your motorcycle injury case.
How Can a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help With My Compensation Claim?
It is very rare that a motorcyclist walks away unscathed even from a very small accident. Here are some important advantages that a qualified motorcycle accident lawyer can lend to your case:
Dealing With Insurance Providers
Despite what they say, insurance providers will look for every reason to deny your compensation claim. It will take an experienced lawyer to make sure your rights are fully respected.
Preparing a Bulletproof Case
Drawing up a claim for compensation takes considerable experience to ensure that all damages are covered in the past, present, and future. Their experience and understanding of the claims process can add considerable heft and value to the case.
Higher Payouts
A seasoned lawyer will know when to call in expert advice to ensure that the value of all damages is properly assessed. This ensures that full restitution will be made and your recovery will be complete.
Court Case Preparation
Resolutions can’t always be found through negotiations. A skilled lawyer will already have a case prepared for the court floors to turn the wheels of justice in your favor.
What Are the Most Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
As with most accidents that occur, motorcycle accidents are caused by someone’s indifference to the safety of others and willful negligence to follow traffic safety rules. Here are some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in Smyrna, Georgia. You will note that the vast majority of these accidents can be prevented.
- Failure to yield the right-of-way to a motorcyclist
- Distracted driving
- Turning in front of an oncoming motorcyclist
- Failure to signal a lane change in front of a motorcyclist
- Driving too closely to a motorcyclist
- Failure to pay attention to motorcycles
- Speeding
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Faulty mirrors, brakes, or lighting
Motorcycle Accident Statistics in Georgia
According to the latest statistics from the GA Accident Reporting Crash Data and GA Hospital Inpatient Discharge Data, the outlook is not bright for motorcyclists in Georgia. There were 3,948 motorcycle crashes statewide in 2019 and over 4,000 motorcyclists were involved in traffic accidents. Even though motorcycles represent a mere 2% of registered vehicles in Georgia, they account for over 11% of all traffic fatalities and over 21% of all driver fatalities.
Motorcycle accident fatalities have steadily increased throughout the State of Georgia. There were 139 fatalities in 2017, 170 in 2019, and 179 in 2020; an increase of 22%.
What Are the Most Common Injuries Seen in Motorcycle Accidents?
Because they offer the driver very little protection between body and pavement, even a comparatively small motorcycle accident can have serious consequences. Some of the most common injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident include:
Whiplash
When experiencing a sudden rapid deceleration or a change of direction, the head and neck can be swung about in such a way that the joints and connective tissues of the neck muscles are damaged. Some common symptoms are nausea and confusion.
Broken Bones
Being thrown from a motorbike at any speed can result in a violent impact between the body’s skeletal structure and the pavement. This can lead to fractures and broken bones along with the primary points of impact. Wrist bones, neck, elbows, ulnas, tibias, ribs, and clavicles are among the most common bones broken in a motorcycle accident.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
If the head is impacted, the protective shielding of the helmet may not be enough to save you from concussions and brain damage. This is a serious injury that can have life-long consequences.
Road Rash
Most motorcyclists will wear tough protective gear that will protect them from the unforgiving asphalt that will invariably break their fall and grind them to a halt. In the absence of this protective gear, road rash is a fearsome injury that can peel skin, tear muscles, and cause serious scarring.
Spinal Cord Injuries
A motorcyclist that impacts their back might suffer injury to the spinal column within the vertebrae. Depending on the severity of the injury, the consequences can be partial to total paralysis.
How Is Fault Determined in a Smyrna Motorcycle Accident?
No matter how straightforward the case may seem, determining fault in a Smyrna motorcycle accident is never a simple thing. Many factors must be examined to determine who was liable and to what extent.
The state of Georgia applies the concept of “modified comparative negligence” when assigning liability in a motorcycle accident case. This means that the victim of an accident can collect compensation for their damages even if they were partially at fault — so long as they were less than 50% responsible for the accident.
However, their compensation will be reduced by the percentage of their liability. For example, if the damages sustained in an accident were calculated at $10,000, but the victim was found to be 15% responsible for the events leading to the accident, their compensation will be reduced to $8,500.
What Type of Compensation Can I Receive for My Motorcycle Accident?
It will be the details of the case that will determine what sort of damages you can expect in a motorcycle accident case. Generally speaking, there will be two categories of personal injury damages that you can expect from a motorcycle accident case in Georgia. But a third type may be awarded in certain cases.
Call 404-301-1687 and arrange for your FREE initial consultation with a qualified Smyrna motorcycle accident lawyer from Jamie Ballard.
Economic Damages
Economic damages are those that can be calculated into a financial figure from receipts, bills, pay stubs, and other financial documents. These could cover past, present, and future medical bills, lost wages, and loss of earning capacity.
Non-Economic Damages
These damages are those that can’t be placed so easily into a financial figure. This could include pain and suffering, mental anguish, loss of capacity to live a normal life, etc. Often an expert witness will be brought in to assign a financial figure to these non-economic damages.
Punitive Damages
In cases where the actions of the at-fault party were deemed so grievous as to award punishment, punitive damages may be applied. Punitive damages are applied for the sole purpose of punishing inexcusable behavior.
Schedule a Free Consultation With a Smyrna Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you or someone in your family has been injured in a Smyrna motorcycle accident, it is in your best interests to have an expert to protect your interests and represent you in the legal process. A legal representative can deal with the minutiae and complexities of the legal system and the crafty machinations of the insurance providers. This will allow you to get on with the important business of making a full recovery.
Call 404-301-1687 and arrange a FREE consultation with Jamie Ballard Law. We will look over your case and give you expert advice on how to proceed.
