Many people love the freedom and thrill of riding a motorcycle on Cartersville roads. There are many pros to having a motorcycle: It saves money, takes up less space, has a lower carbon footprint, and just feels cool to own. However, in the event of an accident, a motorcycle can leave at a legal disadvantage unless you know how to protect yourself—and that’s where a Cartersville motorcycle accident lawyer can help.
You need an attorney who understands how it feels to be injured in a motorcycle accident and what it takes to win the compensation you deserve. That’s where our motorcycle accident lawyers excel, as we have been helping injured bikers win their cases for more than 20 years.
Our experienced and compassionate lawyers are ready to help you today—starting with a FREE consultation. To get started with your FREE consultation, call us at (404) 341-6555 or contact us online today.
How to Know if You Have a Valid Motorcycle Accident Case
After being injured on your motorcycle, you might wonder if you actually have a legal right to seek compensation. Under Georgia’s personal injury laws, the victim in an accident can seek recovery of damages when a legal duty is breached (Georgia Code section 51-1-6). If you were not at fault for your accident, you are likely entitled to compensation for your costs.
Even if you were partially at fault for what occurred, under Georgia’s modified comparative negligence laws, you can still seek compensation if you were less than 50% at fault. However, it’s more likely that another motorist was responsible for the accident.
Basically, if you were in a motorcycle accident that was not fully your fault, you likely have a valid case. There are also situations where the accident was not caused by another driver at all. Sometimes, motorcycle accidents can result from poorly maintained roadways, debris on the road, or issues with the maintenance or manufacturing of the motorcycle.
Speak with a Cartersville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
The best way to know for sure if you have a case is by talking to an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer. Motorcycle accident lawyers are personal injury lawyers who specialize in motorcycle injury cases.
Your lawyer can investigate the details of your accident and determine whether or not you have a strong case. Then, they can begin compiling evidence to show:
- What exactly happened in the accident
- Who was at fault
- Your entitlement to compensation
- And the damages that you faced because of the accident
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Cartersville
As we briefly touched on above, there is no one way a motorcycle accident always happens. Motorcycle accidents often involve the motorcyclist and another driver, but not always. Understanding how the accident occurred and who ultimately caused the accident is vital to your injury case.
Here are some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents we see when working with clients.
Left-Hand Turn Accidents
When car or truck drivers go to back a left-hand turn, they often forget to watch for smaller vehicles like motorcycles driving beside them or attempting to pass. This can result in a left-hand turn accident, which can be deadly for someone on a motorcycle.
Left-hand turn accidents can happen when a motorcyclist is:
- Driving straight through an intersection
- Trying to pass the turning vehicle
- Overtaking the turning vehicle
Head-On Motorcycle Accidents
Unfortunately, a lot of motorcycle accidents that result in death happen when another vehicle hits a motorcycle head-on. Since bikers have a lot less protection during a collision than other drivers, they are most likely to suffer severe or deadly injuries from this type of accident.
Failure to Check Blind Spots
Since motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles, they are harder to see in blind spots. If other drivers are not careful to thoroughly check their blind spots before merging into another lane, a motorcyclist can get hit.
Lane Splitting
Lane splitting is when a motorcyclist drives between two different lanes of traffic. Although some states allow lane splitting, it is illegal in Cartersville and the rest of Georgia. That’s because lane splitting can lead to serious collisions.
Impaired Driving
Some drivers have a hard enough time watching for motorcycles on a regular day. The situation becomes even worse if the driver is under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Sadly, a DUI motorcycle accident can be extremely serious, leading to injuries that stay with you for life or result in death.
Stationary Objects
A surprising number of motorcycle accidents result from stationary objects rather than other drivers. When a motorcyclist hits an object on the road, they can be thrown from their bike and suffer serious injuries as a result. When this type of accident happens, a lawyer will investigate to find out who was responsible for the object being there.
Issues with Road Maintenance
Road hazards like potholes and uneven, bumpy, or slippery roadways are dangerous for any motorist, but especially so for motorcycle riders. If you suffer injuries from this type of accident, a local or state government entity may be responsible for the damages.
You Have Two Years to File Your Claim (So, Act Now!)
If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident (or lost a loved one to a motorcycle accident), don’t wait to start taking action. You may be entitled to compensation for damages, but the burden is on you to begin a legal case. In Georgia, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a claim or lawsuit.
Talk to a Cartersville Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for Free Today
Our motorcycle accident lawyers are here to make sure you stay on track with all deadlines and are seeking the fullest financial recovery possible. With more than 20 years of experience, we know what it takes to win these types of cases. Plus, it’s risk-free to work with us because we don’t charge a fee unless we win you money.
To get a FREE consultation and case evaluation today, call us at (404) 341-6555 or contact us online. Don’t wait to get started; call us today at (404) 341-6555 to get the ball rolling now.
