There's nothing quite like the thrill of riding a motorcycle on an open road on a bright, sunny day. But with great reward comes great risk.
Over 80% of all motorcycle accidents result in injury or death to the rider. In 2018, 264 motorcyclists were killed in traffic collisions here in Georgia.
But while most motorcycle wrecks happen within the metro Atlanta area, most deaths occurred on rural roads. Motorcyclists are also 35 times more likely to experience a deadly accident compared to passenger cars.
The most dangerous situation for motorcyclists to be in is when they turn left. Of all fatal accidents, 42 percent involved a vehicle hitting a motorcyclist while they were turning left or passing another car.
What causes motorcycle crashes? Either the driver of the vehicle claims to have not seen the motorcycle before the collision or they did not see the motorcycle until it was too late.
A motorcycle crash can be a violent and scary event. Even if a person wears protective gear and a helmet, they may still end up going to the emergency room or needing treatment.
Here's how we help our clients who have been an crash and need legal help:
When a potential client calls us, we look at who is at fault for the wreck and the details surrounding the accident. Our intake team asks questions and takes all of the caller's information.
This information is then handed over to one of our personal injury attorneys to look over. Once our lawyers evaluate the claim and decide if the case is a good fit for our firm, we ask the injured victim or their family member to sign up as soon as possible so our legal team can get to work.
Of course, many people want to know: how much value does my case have?
That's a tough question to answer in the very beginning because there are so many factors that determine a case's worth. We look at the crash, the injuries, and the damages to negotiate the best possible settlement on our client's behalf.
The Crash
- How much property damage was there to the motorcycle?
- What speed was each vehicle going at the moment of impact?
- What was the size of the vehicle(s) involved?
The Injuries
- How severe are the injuries?
- Were the injuries visible at the scene or internal?
- Are there any broken bones or scarring?
- Was the injured victim transported by ambulance?
- How long did they wait to receive treatment after the wreck?
- Will surgery be needed to repair any damage?
- Will the injuries cause permanent disabilities or reduce the overall quality of life?
The Damages
- How much are the victim's medical bills?
- What will future medical treatment cost?
- How much lost wages has there been/will there be?
All of these factors and so much more must be taken into account when assigning value to a personal injury claim. We often tell our clients that it is in their best interest to pursue settlement after they are done healing. This takes time.
Don't let the other driver's insurance company tempt you with a quick settlement offer right after the wreck. Their "low-ball" amounts generally don't cover the full cost of the crash. Medical treatment, motorcycle repairs, and other costs can quickly pile up into the tens of thousands of dollars.
Once you accept the offer, there's no going back. This can leave you burdened with bills you can't afford and a ton of stress.
Motorcycle Accident Lawyers: Gary Martin Hays & Associates
We help take the worry off of you and your family so you can focus on the doctor and getting better.
The insurance company doesn't always tell you everything they are supposed to do for you. An insurance adjuster's primary goal is to deny your claim to save the company money. Don't let them delay or ignore your claim just because you ride a motorcycle.
Protect your rights. Even just consulting with a lawyer can increase your settlement amount. Hiring an attorney gets injured motorcyclists up to 3.5 times more money.
We're experts on motorcycle, moped, and electric scooter accidents cases in Georgia. Contact us online or call (770) 934-8000 for a free evaluation of your case.
FURTHER READING:
Traumatic Brain Injury After a Wreck or Fall: Types, Symptoms, and Treatment
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