Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Athens, GA
If you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle accident, we can provide you with legal representation. A motorcycle accident attorney in Athens, GA, from Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo, LLC. can fight for fair compensation, aggressively defend your rights, and deal with insurance negotiations. Our personal injury lawyers can handle your entire case while you rest and recover.
How a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Athens, GA, Can Help?
Dealing with insurance companies and fighting for compensation on your own isn’t easy, especially when you’re recovering from injuries. There is a labyrinth of laws to deal with, and making the wrong move can jeopardize your case. Add the challenges of medical expenses and hospital recovery time, and you have a recipe for stress, frustration, and confusion.
At Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo, LLC., we’re here to cut through this din and provide you with clear, straightforward legal support. We can deal with insurers, fight for compensation, and keep you updated on the status of your case.
Providing Clear Legal Advice
Having numerous questions after being involved in a motorcycle accident is normal. An Athens, GA, motorcycle accident lawyer from our team can put these questions to rest. Common areas of discussion include:
- Explaining your legal options to you
- Helping you understand what your next steps are
- Legal terminology and how it applies to your case
When you join our team as a client, you can count on receiving consistent support. You can contact us via email, text, or phone call–we can adapt to whatever mode of communication is easiest for you.
Pursuing Damages
As a motorcycle accident victim, you have the right to pursue several damages, including:
- Medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Funeral and burial expenses if you lost a loved one
- Property damages
- Emotional trauma, like pain and suffering
We can evaluate your case and explain which damages you qualify for. We can also work with you to estimate the potential value of your claim or lawsuit. This way, you’ll be prepared for the negotiation process.
Then, we can tirelessly pursue compensation on your behalf. This may involve insurance negotiations, an out-of-court settlement, or a civil trial. At Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo, LLC., we aren’t afraid of going to court on our clients’ behalf.
Building Your Case and Managing Communications
Working with a motorcycle accident lawyer isn’t just about fighting for compensation, though. Our team is here to manage every aspect of your case. At the case’s outset, we can gather detailed evidence, which may include the following:
- Traffic camera footage
- Statements from crash reconstruction specialists
- Medical records
- Documentation of your expenses
- Eyewitness statements
- Images of your injuries and damaged property
Similarly, we can deal with any relevant case communications. With us in your corner, you won’t need to worry about saying the wrong thing to insurers. Over time, our team has dealt with many insurers on previous cases, meaning we know what tactics insurers use.
Contingency Fee Payment Structure
Motorcycle accidents are rarely cheap. Even if your insurer provides some coverage, you may be left with outstanding medical bills. At Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo, LLC., we guarantee that we won’t contribute to your financial concerns. We rely on a contingency fee payment structure, which means that:
- We don’t get paid anything unless you win
- We require no upfront fees or retainers
- Working with our team is risk-free
Testimonials
Testimonials from our clients provide further insight into who we are as a law firm. This is what they’ve said about working with Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo, LLC.:
- “Wonderful team, they went above and beyond for me. No question went unanswered and anything I needed they provided. Would use again and always refer people to use them. They’re the best.” – Joel M.
- “They were a big help to me and worked fast to get me what I deserved. I would recommend them to anyone who has been in any kind of accident.” – Betty R.
- “Anastopoulo Law Firm was responsive to our needs following an automobile accident. We had a difficult time navigating through issues with insurance companies. After calling the Anastopoulo firm, they quickly resolved our issue and we received our payment from the insurance company of the person.” – Katie B.
The Importance of Determining Fault in Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents are a subsection of personal injury law. In these cases, to receive compensation, you must prove that another party’s negligence caused your injuries. This rule applies to both insurance claims and lawsuits.
Negligence in a motorcycle accident can look like:
- Another driver speeding, drinking and driving, or ignoring roadway rules
- A trucking company failing to comply with safety standards set by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA)
- A municipality not addressing unsafe road conditions
- A parts manufacturer shipping faulty components or motorcycles
If one of these negligent behaviors caused your accident, you have the right to pursue compensation. Keep in mind that these are only examples, and a form of negligence not noted here may be involved in your accident.
Don’t fret if you’re unsure who caused your accident; determining fault is one of our key legal services. A motorcycle accident attorney in Athens, GA, can review relevant evidence to assign fault. Once we know who caused your accident, we can begin negotiating a fair settlement offer.
What Causes Motorcycle Accidents?
Common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Alcohol consumption: Consuming alcohol before going for a ride is a dangerous proposition. Being inebriated impacts a rider’s ability to react to changing road conditions and risks, increasing their chances of being involved in an accident. This rule applies to other drivers on the roadway, too.
- Cars turning into a motorcycle’s path: Motorcycles are considerably smaller than other vehicles on the roadway. Many motorcycle crashes are caused by inattentive drivers turning in front of motorcycle riders.
- Rear-end collisions: The Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS) shows that the most common type of motorcycle accident statewide is rear-end collisions. In these crashes, another driver fails to slow down before striking a stopped motorcyclist in the rear.
- Speeding: Nearly a quarter of statewide motorcycle accidents involve speeding.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Statewide, these are some key motorcycle accident statistics:
- Most motorcycle accidents take place in urban areas
- Those aged 25-34 are involved in a majority of motorcycle accidents
- Emergency room expenses for motorcycle accidents exceeded $200 million in 2019
- More than half of those involved in motorcycle accidents had no license or an invalid license
- Motorcycle accident victims are predominantly male
The key takeaways here are: if you’re a motorcycle owner, take extra precautions in urban areas, make sure that you have proper licenses and training, and be aware that you’re more likely to get in a crash if you’re a younger male rider.
Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Research from The Archives of Bone and Joint Surgery suggests that the most common types of motorcycle accident injuries include:
- Head trauma
- Forearm injuries
- Foot injuries
- Jaw and face injuries
Head trauma is the most lethal form of injury in these accidents. In many crashes, helmet usage is the difference between life and death.
Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit Deadline
The Georgia statute of limitations applies to motorcycle accident cases. This law provides victims with a two-year deadline to pursue a lawsuit, per O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. If you miss this deadline, you cannot pursue legal action.
Keep in mind that this deadline may be longer or shorter depending on the facts of your case. Therefore, you should get a head start on your case if possible. While you or your lawyer may not need to file a lawsuit, it’s best to have every legal tool available. The threat of a lawsuit can be used to leverage settlement negotiations.
Get Started on Your Motorcycle Accident Case Today
At Poulin | Willey | Anastopoulo, LLC., we’re proud to provide legal representation to the residents of Athens, GA. Contact our firm at (800) 313-2546 for a free case evaluation. During this initial meeting, we can discuss what a motorcycle accident attorney can do for you.