Because motorcycles don’t provide the same level of protection as other motor vehicles, accidents can be serious, even fatal, for bikers in East Point. As a biker, with very little between you and the road, you may suffer head injuries, road rash, broken bones, lacerations, or worse. Plus, motorcycles often don’t get the same amount of respect on the road as other drivers, which can make it harder to defend yourself even if you had no fault in the accident. That’s why you need a good East Point motorcycle accident lawyer on your side.
Our motorcycle accident lawyers have been helping personal injury victims win the financial recovery they need for more than 20 years. We work exclusively with victims of car accidents and other motor accidents on East Point-area roads, and we know how to win cases. For a FREE consultation to discuss the details and find out how we can help you, contact us today by calling 404-341-6555 or filling out the online form to your right to get started.
Who Is At Fault in a Motorcycle Accident?
The at-fault person in a motorcycle accident is the person whose actions, or lack of actions, led to the accident happening. This doesn’t mean they intended for the accident to happen, but they were acting negligently in some way that caused the accident to occur.
Under Georgia law, the at-fault party is liable for all damages in the accident. This means that if another driver fully caused your motorcycle accident, they (and their insurance company) is responsible for covering your damages.
How Much Money Can I Recover in a Motorcycle Accident in East Point?
The amount of money you can recover depends on your damages. Again, if the other driver is 100% at fault for the accident, you can submit an insurance claim to their insurance for the following costs.
Medical costs
Medical expenses typically make up a big part of motorcycle accident victims’ costs. These include doctor visits, medical bills, costs of tests, surgeries, prescription medications, and ongoing future costs like surgeries, rehabilitation, or physical therapy.
Motorcycle accident injuries can be extreme, so it’s important to carefully document each doctor visit and every expense of treating your injuries. Plus, you should see a doctor as soon as you can after the accident. You might be reluctant to do this if you’re worried about paying for medical bills, but seeing a doctor creates a record of your injuries that is important for your insurance claim.
Repair costs
If you got into an accident with a car or truck, chances are your bike isn’t looking too great. You should be able to claim property damage and repair or replacement costs for your motorcycle.
Lost wages
If you had to take time off of work because of the accident and your recovery, you can claim lost wages as a damage.
Pain and suffering
An accident is not just potentially physically damaging; it can affect your emotional health and well-being too. Anxiety, depression, PTSD, and other mental conditions can sometimes result from a motorcycle accident. These fall under “pain and suffering” damages, which are meant to compensate you for what was lost mentally or emotionally because of the accident.
If you have a physical injury along with emotional suffering, you can include pain and suffering in your insurance claim. Your lawyer can help you do this.
Wrongful death
If you lost a loved one because of a motorcycle accident, you may be able to recover for costs of the deceased, such as funeral costs, loss of companionship, and more.
Can the Family of a Biker Bring a Wrongful Death Claim?
Wrongful death in Georgia is defined as the death of someone caused by reckless or negligent acts. Wrongful death claims are very similar to a motorcycle accident or other personal injury claim in that negligence still must be proven and the claims usually result from an accident. But with wrongful death, the victim is no longer able to bring their case, so certain loved ones can do it instead.
If you’re wondering whether you can bring a wrongful death claim, it depends on how you’re related to the deceased loved one. The person must be either:
- The deceased person’s surviving spouse, children, or parents, in that order
- A personal representative of the deceased’s estate
The spouse of the deceased can receive no less than a third of the total recovery in a wrongful death from a motorcycle accident, even if the deceased had children. A wrongful death lawyer can help with this.
The Insurance Company Is Trying to Blame Me. What Can I Do?
This is unfortunately common. Some people have a biased against bikers and will try to place the blame on you, even if you had no fault in the accident happening.
And insurance companies are known for trying to pay out less than victims actually deserve. Since they are for-profit companies, they will look for ways to reduce their costs and offer you a lowball settlement amount. Trying to blame you for the accident is one way they may do this. But don’t let them intimidate you. Here’s what you can do:
- Get a great motorcycle accident lawyer to represent you
- Gather information after your accident, including pictures of your injuries, damage to your bike, and the accident scene
- Keep detailed track of all expenses you have, including receipts and medical bills
- Don’t take calls from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. They are trained to get you to apologize or say something that can be used against you later
You should never have to pay for the costs of an accident you didn’t cause. The responsible person and their insurer should be held responsible, and they are legally entitled to cover your damages. Get a good lawyer who has a history of standing firm against the insurance company and compiling a solid case to protect you and get you the money you deserve.
Talk to a East Point Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for Free
Don’t get left with the high costs of your accident. Contact our motorcycle accident lawyers today to start fighting for your rights. We have been helping motorcycle accident victims pursue their FULL financial recovery for 20+ years, and we’re here to help. We don’t get paid unless we win you money, and the initial consultation is always FREE. To schedule your free consultation today, call us at 404-341-6555, or fill out the form to your right to get started.
