Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Atlanta

The roads around Atlanta offer many wonderful opportunities to ride a motorcycle. However, even if you take every possible precaution to stay safe and ride responsibly, you may still be involved in an accident.

Sadly, one of the biggest risks to motorcycle riders is other motorists. Collisions between bikes and cars rarely end well and can result in life-changing injuries. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, an Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer will help you hold negligent drivers responsible for your losses and fight to protect your rights.

If you were involved in a motorcycle accident, do not hesitate to contact experienced motorcycle accident lawyer Scott Pryor today. For a free consultation, contact our Atlanta offices and get the dedicated and compassionate representation you deserve.

• How do most motorcycle accidents happen?
• Establishing liability in a motorcycle accident case
  • Can more than one party be held liable for a motorcycle accident? 
• Common motorcycle accident injuries
• What compensation can I recover for my motorcycle accident?
  • Lost wages
  • Medical expenses
  • Pain and suffering
  • Emotional distress
• Steps to take after an accident
• Contact an Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today

How do most motorcycle accidents happen?

Motorcycle accidents happen far more than you might imagine. 

According to the Georgia Department of Driver Services, motorcycles account for 2% of registered vehicles in the state, yet they make up 11% of traffic fatalities and 21% of driver fatalities. 

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:

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.

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. Speeding drivers also can’t stop in time when they see a motorcyclist on the road. 

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.

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.

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 motorcycle accident attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve.

Establishing liability in a motorcycle accident case

Motorcycle accidents in Georgia are subject to a legal theory known as modified comparative negligence.

According to state law (OCGA §51-12-33), if a court decides that a plaintiff is more than 50% 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. 

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
• eyewitness testimony
• expert witness testimony
• photos and videos from the scene 

An Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer can take the lead in gathering this evidence and using it to establish a defendant’s full liability.

Can more than one party be held liable for a motorcycle accident? 

In many cases, liability is not as simple as one individual causing another person’s injuries. It is commonplace for an accident to be caused by multiple individuals and entities. 

For example, let’s imagine that a distracted driver cut off a motorcyclist in traffic, causing the rider to crash. Who is responsible? The answer may not be as clear it looks. In addition to the driver, other parties who may be responsible include: 

• A construction company which had left gravel on the road after a recent project, making it harder for the motorcyclist to avoid going down
• The motorcycle manufacturer whose brakes turned out to be defective
• The City of Atlanta, which had failed to repair several non-functioning street lights, despite being contacted about the poor visibility in the area

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. And of course, high-speed collisions can be catastrophic. 

Typical examples of physical injuries that may result from these incidents include:

• Broken bones
• Severe cuts, scrapes, and bruising
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Separated joints
• Amputations
• Spinal cord injuries, potentially leading to paralysis
• Road rash
• Internal organ damage
• Facial injuries and disfigurement
• Neck injuries, including whiplash
• Burn injuries (from engine heat or road friction)
• Soft tissue injuries (sprains, strains, and tears)
• Chest injuries, including rib fractures
• Knee injuries
• Shoulder injuries
• Foot and ankle injuries
• Pelvic injuries
• Eye injuries
• Dental injuries
• Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

Notice that this list includes both physical and psychological injuries. A motorcycle accident can also result in severe mental health concerns. Often, plaintiffs experience post-traumatic stress disorder, flashbacks, and serious pain and suffering.

Importantly, the extent of one’s injuries may result in missed time at work or even a permanent disability. A motorcycle accident lawyer will help measure a plaintiff’s damages following a motorcycle accident and 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 motorcycle accident victims can recover by filing a personal injury claim. 

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 now 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 a person loses their ability to work because of their injuries, they can also file for lost earning capacity. 

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 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.

Medical expenses may include: 

• Current medical bills
• Future medical costs (estimated)
• Rehabilitation expenses
• Therapy costs (both physical and psychological)
• Accessibility and mobility aids (wheelchairs, crutches, orthopedic supports, etc)

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 motorcycle crash 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, contact our Atlanta motorcycle accident law firm to get the dedicated and compassionate representation you deserve.

Steps to take after an accident

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 will 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 negotiate 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.

Contact an Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today

Motorcycle accident victims often rely on Atlanta 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 and enduring mental anguish to losing out on income, it is not unusual for a motorcycle accident to throw your entire existence into chaos.

An Atlanta 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 The Scott Pryor Law Group for a free consultation. We will get to know you and your story so that we can help you get on the right path toward healing.