A motorcycle accident can change your life forever. Since motorcycles do not have the same degree of protection as other vehicles on Redan roads, the injuries and damage from an accident are often serious—even fatal. Plus, bikers can sometimes face unfair biases after an accident, even if they had no fault in it at all. To protect yourself from facing rising medical bills, repair costs, and other damages you didn’t cause, we recommend scheduling a consultation with a Redan motorcycle accident lawyer as soon as you can.
We can offer you a FREE consultation. With more than twenty years of experience working on motorcycle accident cases, we know what it takes to file a successful claim. Our team is compassionate, and we always put your needs first, standing up to greedy insurance companies. To schedule your free consultation today, give us a call at 404-341-6555 or simply fill out the form on this page to get started
How Is Fault Determined in a Motorcycle Accident?
Under Georgia law, the person or entity whose negligence led to an accident is liable for the costs of that accident. In other words, that person is at fault. So, the fault is the key factor in a motorcycle accident claim.
When you file an insurance claim, you must be able to demonstrate the other party’s at fault. This is where an attorney can be so beneficial to your case. They will get to work immediately by researching the accident, looking at the police report, talking to any witnesses, and sometimes utilizing experts to show how the other driver was at fault for the accident.
We see motorcyclists are often susceptible to blame by the other driver, even if they were not at fault for the accident. Many drivers do not understand that bikers have the same rights as other motorists, so they fail to give them the same degree of attention or courtesy on Redan roads.
In fact, it’s common for the other driver to cause an accident because they weren’t being attentive enough. For example, they might:
- Change lanes without looking and hit the biker
- Cut off a motorcycle while making a left turn or changing lanes
- Not allowing the motorcyclist enough space
- Drive while distracted or even drunk, hitting the motorcyclist
In any of these situations, you and your attorney will need to prove that the other driver caused your accident and your resulting injuries.
Other times, a motorcycle accident may result from hitting a road hazard without any other driver involved. You are still entitled to recover money for your damages, but you’ll also still need to prove someone was at fault.
Road obstacles are usually managed by either the local government or a business or property owner, so you’ll need to research who is responsible and let them know about the accident. Then, we highly recommend calling an experienced Redan motorcycle accident lawyer to explore your options.
Who Will Pay for My Injuries?
Legally, the at-fault person or party is responsible for covering the costs of your accident—including the treatment of injuries. Motorcycle accident injuries can range from mild to deadly. Either way, you should not have to bear the costs of someone else’s mistake for your injuries.
If you were in an accident with a car or other motorist, that person’s auto insurance company will be ultimately responsible for your costs. That means you’ll need to file a personal injury claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer. Your claim will need to detail all of your damages, including specific costs of:
- Medical bills and doctor visits
- Prescription medications
- Surgeries and other treatments
- Ongoing treatments like rehabilitation
- Property damage costs to your bike
- Lost wages from time you’ve had to take off work
- General damages like mental anguish and emotional trauma
If you did not cause your accident, you should be entitled to full financial recovery of your costs. Even if you were partially at fault, you still have the right to seek damages if you were less than 50% at fault for the accident.
If you lost a loved one because of a motorcycle accident, you may be able to make a wrongful death claim for similar damages on behalf of the deceased loved one. A motorcycle accident lawyer can help you with this, as well.
Do I Have to Hire a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
You do not have to hire a lawyer to seek damages for your accident. However, most injury victims choose to work with a legal professional on their claim—especially in motorcycle accident cases.
Stereotypes about motorcycle riders tend to be stronger versus other drivers. So, even if you were fully following the law and had no fault in your accident, you may experience more pushback in communicating with the insurance company, the other driver, and sometimes even law enforcement. Having an experienced lawyer can make a big difference in proving your claim and seeking 100% recovery.
A Redan motorcycle accident lawyer can help in the following ways:
Calculating the Value of Your Claim
Some damages are easier to put a value on than others. Medical costs and even vehicle damages are pretty easily quantifiable because you can show the exact dollar value of your bills and quotes.
However, pain and suffering damages are not easy to calculate. If you are making a claim for physical or emotional damages that don’t have a clear cost, a lawyer can be invaluable for making sure you account for the full compensation you deserve. They know how to analyze your case and your injuries, talk with medical professionals, and figure out a dollar amount that appropriately covers what you lost.
In many cases, a good attorney can help you make a claim for much more than you would be able to calculate on your own—even if the costs seem pretty straightforward.
Proving Fault
Proving a negligent driver caused your accident is harder than it sounds. We know motorcycle accident victims are already dealing with so much after their accident: painful injuries, stress about medical bills and not being able to work, and more. A good lawyer can help you put together a solid case while you focus on getting better and being with loved ones.
Negotiation with the Insurance Company
Insurance companies do not like paying out a lot for injury claims. Especially in motorcycle accident cases, they may look for ways to blame you or claim your damages aren’t as bad as you say. They might also deny your claim or try to offer you an amount that is much less than you deserve.
Motorcycle accident lawyers should be experienced in negotiating with insurance companies for a fair settlement. That means you won’t have to communicate directly with the insurer and worry about pleading your case. They can handle them on your behalf.
Talk to a Redan Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for Free Today
Don’t handle the physical and emotional suffering after an accident on your own. We can help. With 20+ years of experience working motorcycle accident cases, our attorney will listen to the details of your accident with compassion and talk you through the best options. The initial consultation is always FREE—and we don’t get paid unless we win you money.
Schedule a free consultation today by calling 404-341-6555, or completing the form on this page.
