There’s nothing like reading a motorcycle on the open road—but sometimes, accidents can happen. And when a motorcycle is in an accident, the rider has much less protection than other motorists like car or truck drivers. Motorcyclists in MIlton have suffered from broken bones, concussions, spinal injuries, and more after a collision. If you or a loved one has been involved in a similar situation—no matter how minor or severe—it’s best to talk to a Milton motorcycle accident lawyer right away.
Our motorcycle accident lawyers are here to help. With some of the most well-respected attorneys in Georgia, we know what it takes to win cases. Our goal is full compensation for your damages after the motorcycle accident. We never take the side of the insurance company, and you can count on us to build the strongest claim possible. For a FREE consultation, call us today at 404-975-2673 or fill out the form on this page to get started.
How Do Motorcycle Accidents Happen in Milton?
Although motorcycle accidents don’t always happen as frequently as other types of auto accidents, they tend to be much more serious, even fatal. It’s important for everyone on the road to understand the most common causes of motorcycle accidents and how they can be avoided.
Here are some of the main ways motorcycle accidents in Milton occur.
Lane Splitting
Lane splitting is when a motorcyclist rides between two lanes of traffic, often when cars are stopped or moving slowly. Accidents often happen during lane splitting because it puts the motorcycle riders close to cars with little room to maneuver. Most car drivers will not be looking for motorcyclists riding between lanes and can easily collide with them.
Lane splitting is legal in some states, but it is illegal in Georgia. Motorcyclists also have the same right to use the road as other drivers, which means they should be allowed a full lane.
Left-Hand Turns
A large proportion of motorcycle accidents happen when cars are making left-hand turns. This usually occurs when the motorcyclist is either passing the car, approaching straight from the opposite direction in an intersection, or trying to catch up with the car.
This type of accident can happen between any types of vehicles on Milton roads, but they are more common with motorcycles. Since motorcycles are much smaller than most other vehicles, car and truck drivers are often unaware they are trying to pass.
Collisions with Road Hazards
Common road hazards that can lead to motorcycle accidents in Milton include:
- Potholes
- Uneven pavement
- Dead animals
- Road blocks
- And any other unexpected objects on the road
These hazards can damage cars, too, but rarely as badly as a motorcycle because there is less protection. Since the motorcyclist is not surrounded by the metal of a vehicle, they are more likely to be thrown from their bike and sustain bad or deadly injuries and bike damage.
Head-On Collisions
Unfortunately, some motorcycle accidents involve a head-on collision with the motorcycle and another vehicle. Head-on crashes are extremely serious and make up around 56% of deaths from motorcycle accidents.
Speeding or Drunk Driving
A percentage of all auto accidents are due to very poor decisions like speeding or drunk driving. Motorcycle riders have much less protection in these situations, and the consequences can be deadly.
High-Performance Motorcycles
A small amount of motorcycles on Milton roads are known as “high-performance motorcycles.” There are two main types of these vehicles:
- Sport motorcycles
- Supersport motorcycles
These motorcycles are built to be lighter with higher horsepower engines, meaning they can go extremely fast compared to other motorcycles. Younger riders tend to own these types of vehicles, and they are more likely to be involved in an accident.
How Can I Recover for the Costs of a Motorcycle Accident in Milton?
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else, you may be eligible for full compensation of your costs, also known as damages. To seek this compensation, you’ll need to file a personal injury claim with the at-fault driver’s insurance company. The value of your claim will depend on your total damages and your percentage of fault, if applicable.
Common Motorcycle Accident Damages
Here are some of the damages you may be able to include in your claim:
- Medical costs, including those from doctor visits, hospital stays, surgeries, tests, and prescription medications
- Property damage, such as repair or replacement costs for your motorcycle
- Lost wages from missed work time
- Pain and suffering damages, such as loss of enjoyment of life or loss of companionship if you’re bringing wrongful death claim
Compensation of damages is meant to put you back in the same place you were before the accident. In other words, you shouldn’t have to pay for any costs resulting from the accident if you didn’t cause it. If you missed work time because you were in the hospital recovering or you know suffer from depression because your injuries have disabled you from performing certain types of work, you are legally entitled to recover for what you’ve lost.
Determining Fault in a Milton Motorcycle Accident
This is all based on fault. In Milton and all of Georgia, the at-fault person in an accident is liable for all damages. If another driver was fully at fault for your accident, they are fully responsible for costs. However, if you bear some degree of fault in what happened, you may still be able to recover damages but at a reduced percentage.
Sometimes, if a motorcyclist wasn’t wearing a helmet and sustained an injury that may have been prevented with a helmet, they are deemed at least partially at fault for the accident. However, not wearing a helmet doesn’t always mean you won’t be able to recover. If you are found to be less than 50% at fault for your accident, you are still entitled to some compensation.
Without understanding the intricacies of Georgia personal injury law and motorcycle laws, it can be very hard to handle an insurance claim alone. That’s why we recommend working with a local, trusted motorcycle accident lawyer. They can help you build a strong claim that accounts for all damages. Your attorney will also help prevent you from getting taken advantage of, as insurance companies are known for trying to get you to accept a much lower settlement than you actually deserve.
Talk to a Milton Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for Free
Motorcycle accidents are pricey, painful, and stressful. Don’t miss out on getting the full settlement amount you need and deserve to move on. Our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers can help you get your life back to normal as soon as possible. We’ll start with a FREE consultation, and we don’t get paid unless we win you money. Call us at 404-975-2673 or fill out the Free Case Evaluation form on this page to get started with your free consultation.
