Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
The attorneys at Hasner Law Injury & Workers’ Compensation Attorneys have decades of experience helping injury victims in Atlanta. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle crash, we’re here to help you protect your rights and demand the compensation you need. Give our Atlanta motorcycle accidents lawyers a call at 678-888-4878 to schedule a free assessment today.
If you are seriously injured in a motorcycle wreck, you may have grounds to sue the person responsible. This may lead to a damage award that can be used to financially compensate you for your injuries. You may also receive additional amounts for any pain and suffering that was caused. Having a qualified lawyer on your side can help ensure that you get the compensation you deserve.
How Can Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Help You With Your Claim?
In the aftermath of an Atlanta motorcycle accident, you want to spend your time focusing on your recovery. You don’t want to waste it dealing with insurance adjusters and claims representatives.
Unfortunately, even if you’ve been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you will need to go through an insurance company before you receive the compensation you deserve. You don’t need to do it alone.
Insurance companies will do whatever they can to minimize payouts–and maximize their profits–and they employ trained professionals to do so. Fortunately, the Atlanta personal injury lawyers at Hasner Law Injury & Workers’ Compensation Attorneys are equal to the task of taking on the insurers and will fight to get you what you deserve.
Our team has years of experience going toe-to-toe with insurance companies on behalf of our clients. When you hire us to represent you in a motorcycle accident case near you we will:
- Investigate the accident, gather evidence, and evaluate all of the strengths and weaknesses of your case
- Identify all negligent parties so they can be held responsible
- Argue your claim and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf so that you receive a fair settlement offer
- Engage leading experts in order to build the strongest case possible
- Advise you at every step of the way so you can make informed choices about your case
Our representation in your case does not end with settlement negotiations. Our team is made up of capable trial attorneys who will not hesitate to take your case to court if you haven’t received the settlement offer you deserve.
After a motorcycle accident, you have enough to deal with. Let our team take the burden of handling your compensation claim off your shoulders. Give our Atlanta motorcycle accident attorneys a call today to discuss the details of your case.
Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Statistics
By the numbers, motorcycle accidents account for 7% of all Georgia traffic fatalities. This statistic is more significant when you consider that only 2% of vehicles registered in the state are motorcycles. This means that riding a motorcycle puts you more at risk of being involved in a fatal crash. Also interesting to note is that 50% of those that die in motorcycle crashes do not have a motorcycle license.
Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Now, while only 4% of vehicle accidents result in visible or severe injuries, 56% of motorcycle accidents result in severe injuries. The most common injury is a lower limb fracture. Traumatic brain injuries are also common in motorcycle accidents. They also cause the highest number of accident fatalities. However, wearing a helmet makes it far less likely that the rider will suffer a traumatic brain injury.
Causes of Atlanta Motorcycle Crashes
The most common cause of motorcycle crashes involve a driver losing control of the bike. Other frequently cited causes are:
- Following too closely
- Speeding
- Hitting an object or animal, and
- DUIs.
If you’ve been in an Atlanta motorcycle accident, it’s important that you understand all of your legal rights and options. Give the team at Hasner Law Injury & Workers’ Compensation Attorneys a call to learn more.
Source: gahighwaysafety.orgHow to Bring a Lawsuit Based on Negligence
If you would like to sue someone for injuries you sustained in a motorcycle accident near you, in most cases you must prove that they acted negligently. Negligence occurs when someone fails to act as a reasonable person would have acted under the circumstances.
For example, if you were hit by a driver that was texting while driving, this would likely be considered negligent behavior. This is because texting behind the wheel is not something a reasonable driver would be doing.
Once you establish that a driver acted negligently, you would then need to prove that their negligence caused your injury. Now, if we take the same set of facts from above, it would be difficult to prove causation if, for example, a bus lost control of its brakes and collided with the texting driver’s car from behind.
Let’s say their car was pushed into the intersection that you were lawfully crossing, leading to a collision with your motorcycle. In this case, it would be difficult to say that the driver’s negligence in texting while driving was the cause of the accident.
Finding Fault When Both Drivers Are to Blame
Automobile accidents often involve more than one person at fault. This would mean that both drivers (or more) failed to act reasonably under the circumstances. But, even if you were partially to blame for the accident, you may still be able to receive compensation.
Under Georgia law, you can bring an accident claim for damages so long as you were not more than 50% at fault. However, the amounts that you can recover will be reduced based on your percentage of negligence.
For example, in the distracted driving example from above, let’s assume that you failed to use a turn signal while entering the intersection where the collision occurred. In determining whether you acted reasonably under the circumstances, the court will consider whether you followed the regulations and recommendations for motorcyclists. Failure to signal would likely be considered in violation of the law and evidence that you acted negligently.
Bear in mind that there is no precise formula for reducing damages based on your fault. If you do not settle your case before trial, the jury will consider the evidence you present and determine how to apportion fault and adjust damages accordingly. These cases can get highly complex, so it’s important to consult with an experienced Atlanta injury attorney.
Note that there are many additional regulations in Georgia that you must follow as a motorcyclist to avoid being found negligent in a crash. These include:
- Wearing a helmet
- Wearing protective eye-protection if your motorcycle does not have a windshield
- Possessing a valid motorcycle license, and
- Following all signs and traffic control lights, speed limits, rules regarding when you are and are not allowed to pass.
In addition, your motorcycle must be legal for the road, which requires:
- Working turn signals
- Handlebars not exceeding 25” above the operator’s seat
- Functioning headlights/taillights that are illuminated at all times, and
- Mirrors.
In Georgia, lane-splitting, which involves a motorcyclist riding on the white line to drive between cars, is illegal. Further, it’s against the law to drive under the influence of alcohol or other drugs that impair your ability to operate a vehicle. This would include the use of prescription medications.
Remember, even if you violated one or more of the rules mentioned above or made some other mistake, this does not mean that you are prevented from bringing a lawsuit. A qualified Atlanta motorcycle accident attorney can help evaluate your case and advise you on how best to proceed.
Single Driver Motorcycle Accidents
Now, not all Atlanta motorcycle accidents involve another driver. For example, it may be that your motorcycle went off the road and into a tree, or made contact with an object in the road. Keep in mind that if the accident is caused by your speeding or reckless driving, or was simply a matter of poor weather conditions, you likely have no recourse for your injuries.
However, sometimes an accident is caused by another person’s negligence that is not a motorist. An example would be defective brakes or some other malfunction occurring on your bike. In this case, you might have a potential products liability claim against the manufacturer.
Another example would be where someone negligently places or fails to place something on or near the road, such as a road construction sign. In this case, you might have a claim against that person or government body, such as a city or county.
What to Do After an Atlanta Motorcycle Accident
Getting into an accident can leave you pretty shaken up. But, it’s important that you follow a few basic steps, both for your own safety and to help preserve evidence for any potential personal injury claims.
First and foremost, it’s critical that you obtain all necessary medical care. Also, make sure that everyone involved in the accident is safe, and follow any directions issued by medical care providers.
Next, you’ll want to contact your motorcycle insurance company and let them know about the accident. You will also need to report the accident to law enforcement. If you can, document the collision as best you can. This includes taking pictures of the condition of your motorcycle, making notes regarding the weather conditions and time of day, and writing down any other important information you remember.
Because this can be a stressful situation, it can be helpful to contact an motorcycle accident attorney at Hasner Law Injury & Workers’ Compensation Attorneys during this time for guidance.
What Compensation Can You Recover in a Motorcycle Accident Case in Atlanta?
If you can prove that someone was at fault for your motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to financial compensation in the form of a damages award.
Damages include amounts that can be calculated, such as:
- Expenses for medical treatment,
- Wages you lost due to the injury, and
- Reimbursement amounts for property damage to your motorcycle or gear.
You may also be entitled to amounts for things that can’t be so easily calculated. This might include money for:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress, and
- Loss of enjoyment of life.
If your loved one was killed in a motorcycle accident, you may also be entitled to compensation for wrongful death. This option is typically available for a spouse and/or any dependent children.
Wrongful death amounts can cover lost wages that account for what the deceased person would have earned in their lifetime. It can also include financial expenses, such as medical bills and funeral/burial expenses. Finally, you may be entitled to compensation for the loss of your loved one’s care and companionship.
Contact an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Atlanta, GA Today
Note that under Georgia law, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. However, you’ll want to move forward with your case as soon as possible. This will ensure that important evidence stays accessible and witnesses remain available.
However, there are exceptions to the two-year rule, so feel free to contact our law firm even if the deadline has passed. Contact our Atlanta personal injury lawyers all us today for a free consultation. We have extensive experience in motorcycle accident personal injury lawsuits and are committed to making sure victims get the compensation they deserve.
Our firm is located near you. We have an office in Atlanta 2839 Paces Ferry Rd SE #1050, Atlanta, GA 30339. Find us with our geo coordinates 33.867528,-84.472001.
FAQs
Who Is at Fault for an Atlanta Motorcycle Accident?
Fault in an Atlanta motorcycle accident is determined by evidence, witness testimony, and Georgia’s modified comparative negligence law. Common at-fault parties include passenger vehicle drivers, commercial drivers, and sometimes the motorcyclist.
What are the fees charged by motorcycle accident lawyers in Atlanta?
Hasner Law Injury & Workers’ Compensation Attorneys work on a contingency fee basis. This means you pay nothing upfront, and we only get paid if we win your Atlanta motorcycle accident case. Costs for things like expert witnesses or court filings may be deducted from the final amount. Always ask for a detailed fee agreement during your consultation.
What is the average settlement for motorcycle accidents in Atlanta?
The average settlement for a motorcycle accident in Atlanta can range from $25,000 to over $250,000, depending on the severity of injuries, medical expenses, liability, and insurance coverage.
Cases involving catastrophic injuries (e.g., traumatic brain injury, spinal cord damage) can exceed $1 million. Every case is unique, so your compensation may vary based on evidence, treatment, and legal representation.
How long do I have to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Georgia?
In Georgia, you have two years from the date of the motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. This deadline is set by the Georgia statute of limitations (O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33).
Failing to file within this window may permanently bar you from seeking compensation. It’s important to speak with a motorcycle accident lawyer promptly to preserve evidence and file your claim on time.
How long does it take to resolve a motorcycle accident case in Atlanta?
Most motorcycle accident cases in Atlanta are resolved within 6 to 18 months. However, timelines vary based on case complexity, medical treatment duration, insurance negotiations, and whether a lawsuit is filed.
Simple cases with clear liability may settle quickly, while serious injury cases or those requiring litigation may take longer.
Related Resources
- 7 Common Motorcycle Crashes in Atlanta and How To Avoid Them
- Do You Have to Wear a Motorcycle Helmet in Atlanta, GA?
- Do I Need Georgia Motorcycle Insurance?
- What Age Can a Child Ride on the Back of a Motorcycle in Georgia?
Hasner Law Injury & Workers’ Compensation Attorneys – Atlanta Office
2839 Paces Ferry Road SE, Suite 1050
Atlanta, GA 30339
P: (678) 888-4878
Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Serving Through Atlanta
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Atlanta Chiropractors
- Atlanta Chiropractic & Wellness Center – 608 Moreland Ave NE, Atlanta, GA 30307
- Atlanta Chiropractic Injury Center – 342 W Peachtree St NW, Atlanta, GA 30308
- Taylor Chiropractic & Wellness – 3169 Maple Dr NE, Atlanta, GA 30305
- Midtown Atlanta Chiropractic – 1708 Peachtree Rd NW UNIT 325, Atlanta, GA 30309
*Disclaimer – we do not endorse these companies or profit from having them listed on our website.
Motorcycle Repair & Auto Body Shops
- Diaz Motorcycles & Service, LLC
- British in the City – 249 Flat Shoals Ave SE, Atlanta, GA 30316
- Paul’s Garage LLC
- MiniBoss Mobile Mechanic – Available by appointment — call-in for service area details
- Corzav’s Collision & Glass – Midtown – 1450 Hills Place NW, Atlanta, GA 30318
Police Departments & Traffic Divisions
- Atlanta Police Department – Central Records Unit – 3493 Donald Lee Hollowell Pkwy NW Atlanta, GA 30331
- Zone 5 Precinct (Downtown/Midtown) – 190 Marietta Street NW Atlanta, GA 30303
- Zone 2 Precinct (Buckhead/Northwest) – 3120 Maple Drive NE, Suite 300 Atlanta, GA 30305
- Georgia State Patrol – Troop C – 4005 Fulton Industrial Boulevard SW Atlanta, GA 30336
