After surviving a motorcycle accident, there’s a long road to recovery ahead. With the help of an Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer, you won’t have to face it alone.
Whether you or someone you love has suffered injuries in an Atlanta motorcycle crash, you need the expertise of the motorcycle accident lawyers at The Law Offices of Jorge Luis Flores, L.L.C. Our legal team is experienced in helping motorcycle accident victims get maximum compensation.
With bilingual services in English and Spanish, we advocate for your rights. We have helped thousands of clients with severe injuries from motorcycle accidents recover compensation. In some cases, we have recovered millions of dollars. We cannot promise this large sum in every case, but we can assure you that we will seek justice on your behalf.
Contact us today to speak with an Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer about your personal injury claim.
Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Injury Statistics
In Georgia, motorcycle accidents account for 11% of all traffic fatalities. Only 2% of vehicles registered in this state are motorcycles, meaning motorcycle riders are at a much greater risk of being involved in a fatal motorcycle crash.
For the 2021 statistics, hospitalizations and emergency room charges related to motorcycle accidents totaled $221 million. Traumatic brain injuries and lower limb fractures were the most common injuries.
What Makes Atlanta Dangerous for Motorcycle Riders?
With all the congestion and Atlanta’s six interstates, the roads are dangerous for everyone on the road but more so for those on motorcycles. Overcrowded highways, distracted drivers, and speeding drivers make you far more prone to disaster, especially since you don’t have the same protection as car and truck drivers.
Other drivers may not notice a motorcycle when they change lanes. Some drivers also make careless mistakes, such as failing to yield when turning, speeding, or driving under the influence. Those mistakes can make it more likely for a car accident to occur. Those riding motorcycles are at an even greater disadvantage when those in cars, trucks, vans, SUVs, buses, and commercial trucks either fail to pay attention or disregard the rules of the road.
After a motorcycle accident, you should hire an Atlanta motorcycle accident attorney to help you recover fair compensation for your damages. Contact The Law Offices of Jorge Luis Flores, L.L.C. to set up a free legal consultation for your motorcycle accident claim.
Common Injuries Suffered by Motorcycle Accident Victims
It’s common to suffer serious injuries and catastrophic injuries after a motorcycle accident. Here are some of the devastating motorcycle injuries our area hospitals treat after a motorcycle crash.
Internal Injuries
Motorcyclists don’t have much to protect them. Even when wearing a helmet, you can still suffer internal injuries. You could suffer internal bleeding or damage to your organs like your kidneys, liver, lungs, heart, and spleen. These are usually life-threatening, which is why you must seek immediate medical care.
Brain Injuries
Traumatic brain injuries (TBI) are common, especially for riders that don’t wear a helmet. These injuries can be debilitating and have lifelong consequences that impact your cognitive skills or cause paralysis.
Back, Spine, and Neck Injuries
Physical injuries such as herniated discs, soft tissue trauma, whiplash, vertebrae fractures, and paralysis are unfortunately common for those involved in motorcycle accidents. If you are left paralyzed from your accident, whether partially or fully, you will have to cope with those injuries for the rest of your life.
Rib Injuries
Since your rib cage isn’t protected by a seatbelt or airbag, you are far more prone to injury. Fatal injuries can occur when broken ribs puncture the heart or lungs.
Other Injuries
In motorcycle accidents, it is also common to get road rash or need limbs amputated. All of these physical injuries will be painful and need time for recovery. However, the emotional and mental impacts can be traumatizing. You could develop post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or suffer from anxiety attacks.
Depression is also common when the injuries you’ve sustained to your body change how you live. You may no longer be able to do the things you once loved because of this accident. This is why you need the expertise of an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer to help you recover compensation for your damages. Contact our Atlanta motorcycle accident attorneys at The Law Offices of Jorge Luis Flores, L.L.C. for representation today.
Who Is At Fault in Atlanta Motorcycle Crashes?
When anyone is hurt in motorcycle crashes, it is important to determine who is at fault. This is crucial for obtaining compensation. With the help of an Atlanta motorcycle accident attorney, you will have someone to investigate on your behalf while you recover from your injuries.
You may think the insurance company will provide a fair settlement; however, adjusters are often biased against motorcyclists. It is imperative that you get legal representation to help you get the fair compensation you deserve for your damages.
Common Causes in Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Cases
Determining the cause of a motorcycle wreck is just as important as in any other motor vehicle accident. Most often, these crashes are due to drivers who aren’t paying attention or make a grave error. The results for motorcyclists are usually far more tragic.
Motorcycles are less visible on the roads because they are easily hidden in the blind spots of passenger vehicles and trucks. The results are often more tragic because there is little to protect riders in a collision.
Sometimes, the cause of the accident may not be another vehicle. There may be a pothole or other defect in the road, a stop sign covered by trees or foliage, or malfunctioning traffic lights. When other drivers are involved in a motorcycle accident, it is usually due to speeding, distracted driving, intoxication, or failure to obey the laws of the road.
The insurance company will try to blame you because you ride a motorcycle. Let your Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyers at The Law Offices of Jorge Luis Flores, L.L.C. stand up for your rights and get you compensation for your motorcycle accident injuries.
What to Know About Comparative Negligence in a Motorcycle Accident Claim
Georgia follows a comparative negligence law, whereby if multiple parties are at fault in an accident, the compensation you receive will depend on your percentage of fault. Essentially, this means there are no set damages you could receive even if you are injured.
You can only seek compensation if you are less than 50% at fault for the accident. If the courts determine that your percentage of fault is 50% or higher, you could have your claim denied. This is why it is imperative to determine fault. Hiring an experienced motorcycle accident attorney is something you should do immediately following your accident. This will ensure you have someone fighting for you.
With a motorcycle accident lawyer from our law firm, we will gather evidence and help you calculate your damages. We will ensure you are fairly represented to help you recover what you deserve.
How Much Are Most Motorcycle Accident Settlements?
A motorcycle rider can recover damages in settlement negotiations, though it is ill-advised for them to do so alone. In most motorcycle accidents, victims do not realize the full extent of their injuries and the financial consequences they will have.
It’s unfortunate that many will settle for the first offer from the insurance company only to realize it isn’t sufficient to cover medical bills or lost wages. There are also the non-economic damages caused by permanent disability or mental anguish.
Contact a motorcycle accident attorney from our law firm today to discuss your case.
Typical Damages in a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
In a motorcycle accident that involves another vehicle, the at-fault driver and their insurer will be responsible for the damages. As mentioned before, this requires proof of who is at fault. The insurance company likely does not want to pay for your extensive injuries and will have lawyers to fight on their behalf. Let The Law Offices of Jorge Luis Flores, L.L.C. fight for you.
In a motorcycle accident lawsuit, you can recover medical expenses, expected costs of future medical bills, lost wages, reduced earning capacity, permanent disability, mental anguish, decreased quality of life, and pain and suffering, among others.
In certain circumstances, punitive damages may be imposed to punish the at-fault driver for their negligence. Suppose you have suffered disability, and your personal injury attorney can prove that the other driver was criminally negligent or acting with malicious intent. In that case, it may be a factor in your motorcycle accident case.
When a Motorcycle Accident Leads to a Wrongful Death Case
Unfortunately, wrongful death cases are common when it comes to motorcycle accidents. If you lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you can recover compensation to mitigate some of the unexpected costs.
Each motorcycle accident attorney from our law firm provides compassionate representation to the families who have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident. We will work to recover funeral and burial costs, seek damages for loss of companionship, future income, and enjoyment of life, and for grief and emotional damages.
What You Should Do After a Motorcycle Accident
As with a car accident, if you are involved in a motorcycle accident, you will need to call the police. You should also seek medical attention for your motorcycle accident injuries. Even if you can walk away on your own, getting medical treatment is advised because you may have internal injuries that can become deadly if left untreated.
When the police arrive, they will eventually write a police report that details the accident scene. As soon as possible after your motorcycle accident, you should contact a personal injury lawyer from The Law Offices of Jorge Luis Flores, L.L.C. to have someone gather evidence and protect your rights. Our attorneys can help by speaking to your insurer and ensuring the settlement you are offered is fair.
While you recover from your injuries, we will work hard to recover the maximum compensation you deserve. We will not let you settle for less than the cost of your expenses incurred from the accident to protect you from being thrown into a sea of debt.
What Is the Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Wrecks in Georgia?
One of the most common motorcycle accident questions we get is about the statute of limitations. According to Georgia law, you have up to two years after your motorcycle accident to file your claim against the negligent party.
With an accident attorney in Atlanta, you will have someone working to ensure this deadline is not missed. The sooner you file, the more smoothly your case will go. Eyewitness accounts and other crucial pieces of evidence will be fresher. This will also help you get compensation more quickly.
How a Motorcycle Accidents Lawyer Can Help You
As you get the necessary medical care to heal from your injuries, a motorcycle accident attorney can pursue your personal injury lawsuit against the negligent driver. Our legal team will take over every aspect of your case and provide expert legal representation.
We will investigate to prove the motorcycle crash caused your injuries and that the other party’s negligence was to blame. We will get testimony from eyewitnesses and expert witnesses, calculate your total damages, and negotiate with the insurance company to get you proper compensation.
You do not need to worry about the cost, as our attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means we do not collect a fee unless we recover a settlement or win at trial. Please contact our law firm to set up a free consultation to discuss your case.
How Does a Motorcycle Accident Claim Differ from a Traffic Accident Claim?
While a motorcyclist and the driver of a passenger vehicle are required to follow the same traffic laws and be aware of highway safety, there are some differences in their respective personal injury cases. In particular, the injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident are generally much more severe.
Additionally, people’s perception of motorcyclists is that they are knowingly putting themselves at risk whether they wear a helmet or not. This is why it is necessary to hire a motorcycle accident attorney after your crash. If your case proceeds to trial, our legal team knows how to combat the negative perceptions of motorcyclists.
Can I Recover Compensation for a Motorcycle Wreck If I Wasn’t Wearing a Helmet?
Under Georgia law, motorcyclists are required to wear a helmet. Despite this law, if you do not wear one, you can be successful with your personal injury claim. In such a scenario, your negligence in not wearing a helmet would be compared to the negligence of the other drivers who caused the accident.
These claims must be thoroughly investigated immediately to gather and preserve the evidence. With our experienced attorney, you will have a better chance of showing that the other driver’s negligent actions led to your accident and injuries.
Who Can Be Held Liable in a Personal Injury Case Involving a Motorcycle Crash?
The first step of your personal injury claim for a motorcycle accident is determining who is responsible. If another driver negligently operated their vehicle and caused you to have an accident on your motorcycle, we will gather the evidence that shows you were not at fault.
In other circumstances, it may be the city’s fault for failing to maintain the roads properly. Potholes and other defects on Atlanta streets are a danger to every driver, especially those operating motorcycles. Whatever the factors are, rest assured that our legal team at The Law Offices of Jorge Luis Flores, L.L.C. will help you through this process.
How an Accident Attorney in Atlanta Can Help You with Your Motorcycle Crash Case
If you or someone you love has been injured after an accident on a motorcycle, finding an accident attorney to help you is one of the first steps you should take. Motorcycle accidents pose a unique set of issues, and when cases go to trial, many jurors will not be impartial. Often, they are not sympathetic to those who ride motorcycles.
However, the laws offer you the same rights and protections as anyone else on the Atlanta roads. The Law Offices of Jorge Luis Flores, L.L.C. is here to protect those rights. We have extensive experience handling motorcycle accident claims and are ready to get justice on your behalf.
Even if your case doesn’t go to trial, you will need someone to represent your best interests with the insurance companies. They will be looking for any loophole to deny your coverage or lessen your settlement check. We will work tirelessly to secure a settlement that appropriately covers your medical bills, future medical expenses, and other economic and non-economic damages.
We firmly believe that you should not be plunged into debt because someone else’s careless actions led to your accident. Our team will fight to get a fair resolution and be there for you throughout your entire case.
An accident attorney from our law firm in Atlanta will be a huge benefit to you whether you are the injured party or are filing a wrongful death suit after losing a loved one. You will have a legal team that is fully committed to investigating the scene of your accident and obtaining copies of the police report, records of the medical care you needed, and other important documentation to build your case.
Once you enlist our services, we will immediately speak to all witnesses and get any surveillance footage from traffic cameras or surrounding businesses to back up your claim. We will calculate all of your damages, going beyond your medical costs, loss of income, and property damages, to thoroughly examine your non-economic damages such as pain and suffering, disfigurement, and permanent disability.
These damages are not easy for you to prove on your own, and you could face bias from insurers and jurors who look down on motorcyclists. Our most integral role is negotiating for the best settlement that covers your losses and helps make your life whole again. We never let our clients settle for less than they deserve, and why should we when someone’s negligence is the reason your whole life has changed?
Contact The Law Offices of Jorge Luis Flores, L.L.C. today for a free consultation with attorneys that care about your well-being and recovery.