Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Columbus, GA Helping Injured Victims Through the Injury Claims Process
The roads around Columbus offer many wonderful opportunities to ride a motorcycle. However, even if you take every possible precaution to provide for your safety and ride responsibly, you may still be involved in an accident.
Of course, one of the principal risks to motorcycle riders is other motorists. Collisions between bikes and cars rarely end well and can result in life-changing injuries. A Columbus motorcycle accident lawyer could help you hold negligent drivers responsible for your losses and fight to protect your rights.
The first step in any motorcycle accident claim should be to seek medical attention. Even if you believe your injuries are not serious, it is important to get a full evaluation from a doctor. Some injuries, such as traumatic brain injuries, may not be immediately apparent but can still have a profound impact on your life. An experienced attorney could help you document your injuries and their effect on your life to ensure that you are fairly compensated.
After you have received treatment for your injuries, the next step is to contact an attorney who has experience with these types of claims. Your attorney will work with you to gather evidence to support your case and build a strong argument for liability. This may include collecting police reports, eyewitness statements, and photographs of the accident scene.
Once your attorney has gathered all of the necessary evidence, they will begin negotiating with the insurance company on your behalf. It is important to have an experienced negotiator on your side to ensure that you are not taken advantage of during this process. If the insurance company is unwilling to provide a fair settlement, your attorney could file a personal injury lawsuit on your behalf.
If you were involved in a motorcycle accident, do not hesitate to contact experienced motorcycle accident lawyer Scott Pryor today. For a free consultation, call our Columbus personal injury law firm at (404) 474-7122 and get the dedicated and compassionate representation you deserve.
How Do Most Motorcycle Accidents Happen?
Motorcycle accidents happen far more than you’d imagine. The unfortunate part about these accidents is the pain and suffering injured victims can go through. Because motorcyclists aren’t protected like other motorists, many fatal motorcycle accidents can occur. Even if you’re lucky enough to survive a motorcycle accident, the injuries can be incredibly painful to deal with. In general, motorcycle accidents are typically caused by:
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Distracted driving: Just like car accidents, motorcycle accidents can be caused by distracted driving. Whether the driver is texting, talking on the phone, or simply not paying attention to the road, this type of negligence can lead to serious injury or even death.
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Speeding: Going too fast for conditions is one of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents. When a driver is speeding, they’re more likely to lose control of their car and crash.
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Reckless driving: Unfortunately, some drivers choose to drive recklessly no matter what type of vehicle they’re operating. This can include weaving in and out of traffic, tailgating, or making sudden lane changes. All of these dangerous maneuvers can easily cause a motorcycle accident.
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Intoxicated driving: It’s never safe to get behind the wheel when you’re under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This is especially true when operating near a motorcycle, as even a small mistake can have catastrophic consequences.
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Road hazards: Poor road conditions are often to blame for motorcycle accidents. Potholes, debris, and slippery surfaces can all cause a rider to lose control and crash.
As you can see, there are many different factors that can contribute to a motorcycle accident. If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident, it’s important to seek legal help as soon as possible. An experienced personal injury attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve.
How Do You Establish Liability in a Motorcycle Accident Case?
Motorcycle accidents are subject to a legal theory known as modified comparative negligence. According to state law, if a court decides that a plaintiff is more than half to blame for an accident, that court cannot award any compensation. Additionally, if the court believes that a plaintiff has contributed less than half of the fault for the incident, that court must reduce the award by the percentage of the plaintiff’s shared fault. O.C.G.A. §51-12-33 is the State’s statute concerning modified comparative negligence.
As a result, it is essential to provide evidence that proves a defendant to be solely at fault. In a motorcycle accident claim, evidence can include police reports, traffic camera footage, dashcam footage, and third-party witness statements. A Columbus motorcycle accident lawyer could take the lead in gathering this evidence and using it to establish a defendant’s full liability.
What are Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries?
Even a seemingly minor incident between a motorcyclist and another driver can have serious effects on a rider’s health. A mere nudge can cause a rider to lose their balance and tip over. This even includes situations where an incident does not involve direct contact.
Naturally, high-speed collisions can be devastating. Typical examples of physical injuries that may result from these incidents include:
Of course, many of these injuries can also result in severe mental health concerns. Often, plaintiffs experience post-traumatic stress disorder, flashbacks, and serious pain and suffering. Finally, the extent of one’s injuries may result in missed time at work or even a permanent disability. A lawyer could help measure a plaintiff’s damages following a motorcycle accident and to demand proper compensation following those losses.
What Compensation Can I Recover for My Motorcycle Accident?
If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be wondering what kind of compensation you can recover. The answer depends on the specific facts and circumstances of your case, but there are generally four types of damages that may be available to you:
Lost wages
When someone is injured in a motorcycle accident, they can often file a claim for lost wages. This is because they may not be able to work while they are recovering from their injuries. In some cases, the person may be able to collect lost wages even if they are able to return to work but earn a lower salary than they did before the accident.
This can be a valuable resource for people who are unable to work because of their injuries. It can help them to pay their bills and keep up with their expenses while they are unable to work. This can be a big help, especially if the person is not able to receive workers’ compensation benefits.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, it is important to speak with an attorney about your lost wages claim. An attorney can help you to understand your rights and can help you to file a claim for lost wages.
Medical expenses
Motorcycle accidents often result in serious injuries that can require expensive medical treatment. Even a minor accident can cause thousands of dollars in medical bills. In addition to the cost of treatment, victims may also have to continue visiting long after the dust has settled on an accident. If the accident was caused by another driver’s negligence, the victim may be able to file a lawsuit seeking damages for medical expenses and other losses.
Pain and suffering
Motorcycle accidents can cause a great deal of pain and suffering for the victim. Injuries can be severe, and often require long-term treatment and rehabilitation. Victims can suffer physical pain, as well as emotional anguish and financial hardship.
When someone is injured in a motorcycle accident, they may be entitled to compensation for their pain and suffering. This compensation can be tricky to win because it is not always easy to quantify the amount of pain and suffering someone has endured. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you build a strong case for compensation and fight for the maximum amount possible.
Emotional distress
Similar to pain and suffering, emotional distress is often more difficult to calculate than medical expenses and property damage.
For one, there is no way to truly know how much emotional damage an accident has caused. Second, the effects of emotional distress may not be immediately apparent. It could take days, weeks, months, or even years for the full extent of the emotional damage to manifest.
That being said, if you have been in a motorcycle accident that has left you feeling scared, anxious, or depressed, you may be able to recover damages for your emotional distress. To do so, you will need to work with an experienced personal injury lawyer who can help you prove the existence and extent of your emotional distress.
For a free consultation, call our Augusta personal injury law firm at (404) 474-7122 and get the dedicated and compassionate representation you deserve.
Contact an Columbus Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today
Motorcycle accident victims often rely on Columbus motorcycle accident lawyers to fight for their rights. Scott Pryor has been fighting for the rights of injured clients for years and he can fight for you too. All motorcycle accident cases are different. We will build a case that is tailored to fit your individual needs.
A motorcycle accident has the potential to affect every part of your life. From suffering physical injuries to enduring mental anguish, to losing out on income, it is not unusual for a motorcycle accident to throw your entire existence into chaos.
A Columbus motorcycle accident lawyer could help protect your right to pursue compensation. With the help of an attorney, you may be able to gather the evidence needed to press a claim and collect vital compensation without ever going to court. Contact a Columbus motorcycle injury lawyer today to schedule a consultation by calling (404) 474-7122.
