How Common Are Motorcycle Accidents in the US and the State of Georgia?
Motorcycles are involved in a disproportionate number of traffic accidents, severe injuries, and roadway fatalities. As a result, insurance premiums are higher for motorcycle riders than they are for other motorists.
There are approximately 6.6 motorcycle accident fatalities for every 10,000 motorcycles on the road in the United States. Texas is the most dangerous state in the country to be a motorcycle rider, with 13 fatalities for every 10,000 motorcycles, nearly doubling the national average. Georgia just narrowly misses being in the ten most dangerous states for motorcycle riders, coming in 12th, with eight fatalities per 10,000 motorcycles.
Unfortunately, motorcyclists have a reputation for being unsafe on the road, especially considering that other motorists cause a large number of motorcycle crashes. If another party’s negligent actions caused the wreck, then the motorcyclist may be entitled to seek compensation for injuries and property damage.
How Can Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Help Your Case?
Georgia is a modified comparative fault state. What this means is that more than one party can be held accountable for causing an accident. Under Georgia’s modified version of the law, an accident victim can recover damages so long as they are less than 50% responsible for the cause of the accident.
It is vitally important that you retain professional legal counsel when attempting to file a motorcycle accident claim. The insurance company will likely be unsympathetic to your claims, as they are often not an ally to motorcycle riders across the country and will submit lowball offers to pay for your damages. You can only hope to recover maximum compensation for injuries or wrongful death following a motorcycle accident with a well-argued case. As your lawyers, Go Big Injury Law can help you by gathering evidence, reviewing police reports, examining medical records, and seeking witness testimony to help support your claim.
What Factors May Impact the Damages You Recover in a Personal Injury Case?
Motorcycle accidents can result in catastrophic injuries, some even proving to be fatal. If you’ve been in an accident caused by another party’s negligence or recklessness, different factors determine the compensation you may recover.
The primary factors that impact motorcycle accident cases include the following:
- Chief among such factors is the severity of your injuries. The more serious your injuries, the more you may stand to recover in a settlement. Someone with traumatic brain injuries or new permanent disabilities may recover more than someone who escaped the motorcycle crash with only a few cuts and bruises.
- Liability is also a key factor. Proving fault rests solely with one at-fault party and that you share no portion of the blame should ensure that your compensation is not reduced in settlement negotiations.
- The insurance policies of those involved in the motorcycle accident can be a significant factor in how things proceed in your case. The at-fault party’s insurance company is only responsible for compensating up to the policy limits. If your claim exceeds the policy limits, you will have to hope you can recover financial compensation from the at-fault party themselves.
- Motorcycle bias is an unfortunate factor worth considering. Insurance adjusters, police officers, judges, and the court of public opinion are not often in the corner of motorcyclists. This bias may be difficult to overcome without an experienced lawyer defending your rights.
- Your behavior and choices can affect your motorcycle accident claim. You should wear a helmet and safety gear. You must contact law enforcement after a motorcycle crash and await their arrival at the scene. And you must seek medical attention as soon as possible following the accident. Failure to do either of those things may negatively impact your case and the potential of recovering compensation.
What Type of Financial Recovery Could You Win in a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?
With a well-presented lawsuit, you may be rewarded economic and non-economic damages. While these damages cannot hope to return a loved one lost in a fatal motorcycle accident or reverse the pain and suffering of a collision, they can help alleviate the burden of expenses and distress.
Economic damages you could potentially recover include the following:
- Lost wages and lost future income.
- Medical bills and expenses for future medical treatment.
- Physical therapy expenses.
- Property damage, such as a damaged motor vehicle or even a broken wristwatch in some cases.
Non-economic damages may include compensation for the following:
- Disability.
- Disfigurement.
- Emotional distress.
- Lost companionship.
- Lost quality of life.
- Mental anguish.
- Pain and suffering.
- Wrongful death.
In certain extreme cases, such as instances of wanton neglect, malice, or cruelty, you may also be able to pursue punitive damages. Speak with our law firm to learn more.
Schedule a Free Consultation with Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Today
Go Big Injury Law works on a contingency fee basis, meaning that we don’t charge you legal fees unless we can successfully win a fair settlement for your claim. To put it plainly: You Don’t Pay Unless We Win. While there can be no guarantees in any legal matter, we are confident that we can provide you with legal representation capable of securing compensation for your motorcycle accident case.
If you have any questions or concerns about your case and the legal services we provide, please feel free to contact us anytime, day or night. Our phone lines are open 24/7, where you can speak with a member of our professional staff. Set up your free case evaluation by calling our law offices at (800) 777-7777.