Under Sandy Springs law, motorcycles have just as much right to be on the roads as cars and other vehicles—and just like other vehicles, motorcycles are also at risk of accidents. When a motorcycle accident occurs, the biker can sometimes be at fault, but often cars or other motorists don’t give bikes enough space or respect on the road and are liability for the collision. If you’re a motorcycle rider and were involved in an accident, or you know someone who was, it’s time to speak with a Sandy Springs motorcycle accident lawyer who can help you.
Our motorcycle accident attorneys are here to help accident victims figure out their legal options in the aftermath of a crash. We know these types of incidents can be serious and even affect the rest of your life. You deserve financial recovery to help you get your life as back to normal as possible. Let us give you a FREE consultation. Call us at 404-341-6555 or fill out the form to the right for your free consultation today.
My loved one was in a motorcycle accident. What should I do?
Each motorcycle accident case if different depending on the situation and the parties involved. However, if your loved one was injured in a motorcycle accident, there are some important steps they should follow to maintain their rights and to get the full amount they need following the crash:
- Get any urgent medical attention immediately. Motorcycle accidents are often very extreme, even fatal. If your loved one was seriously injured during the accident, get them medical attention right away. This will not only make sure they get treatment they need, it will create a record of the injuries for their case. And if they have ongoing medical needs for their injuries, a medical professional can help them determine what treatment may look like and how much financial recovery to pursue. We find many motorcycle accident victims will put off treatment in fear of costs. However, any insurance money you receive can take months to arrive—and we firmly believe motorcycle victims have the right to get the care they need when they need it. In many cases, you can get delay out-of-pocket costs until the insurance pays out—and immediate treatment can help prevent injuries from getting worse.
- Call the police and document the scene. If they’re well enough to contact authorities, police should be notified as soon as the accident occurs. Make sure officers create a report for the accident, and they should be reminded that motorcycles have the same right as other vehicles to be on roads. They’ll also want to take as many pictures of the scene as they can, including all injuries they suffered and damage that occurred. When your loved one’s attorney is investigating for them, they’ll use all of this information to build their case.
- Stand firm against biker stereotypes that may come into play. Unfortunately, motorcycle riders are sometimes treated as aggressive or irresponsible due to long-living stereotypes. Insurance companies may use this to make the accident seem like the biker’s fault—even if that’s not the case at all. Other drivers in the accident may also misinterpret how the incident occurred if they have biases or little understanding of what bikers need on roads. Having a motorcycle accident lawyer on your loved one’s side can help keep the case centered on facts, not biases or stereotypes.
- Don’t talk to or take anything from the insurance company right away. Your loved one and their family will get phone calls from the insurer following the motorcycle accident. Be very careful to not give them any information, admit to anything, or engage in conversation with them. And definitely don’t accept any money they try to offer upfront. Insurers who call have years of experience persuading vulnerable victims into saying something that can be used against them—or trying to offer money that they know the victim needs. But this initial financial offer is almost never enough to cover the full care needed from the accident. Talk to your lawyer first so they can help protect you from this.
If your loved one died in a motorcycle accident, you’re likely left with many big questions and painful heartbreak. We know losing a loved on in this way is one of the most difficult experiences for a family. You should know that Georgia law says close family members can pursue a wrongful death claim to recover money on behalf of the loved one who was killed. Here’s how they work:
- Wrongful death claims can be brought forward by the victim’s spouse, child, or parent. If none of these people are alive, then the person’s estate can bring forward the claim.
- The relative can recover much of the same expenses the victim would have themselves, such as medical costs, along with final expenses like funeral costs.
- A wrongful death claim must still prove fault, just like in a motorcycle accident case. The insurance company may still attempt to deny the full recovery amount by trying to shift fault in the accident. The difference is that you can also recover for the emotional impact losing the victim had on your family.
What if I wasn’t wearing a helmet? Do I still have a case?
If you or your loved one was not wearing a helmet during the motorcycle accident, you can still potentially recover money—although your financial recovery may be less if the courts view you as partially at fault for your injuries. However, if your injuries would not have been prevented even if you were wearing the helmet, it might not matter. Either way, whether you were wearing a helmet or not, you have the same right to pursue recovery for your damages. Speak with a motorcycle accident lawyer who can help you.
Talk to a Sandy Springs Motorcycle Accident Lawyer for Free
Whether you or a loved one was involved in a motorcycle accident in Sandy Springs, our attorneys are here to fight for you. Let us give you a FREE consultation to help you decide what your best next steps should be—risk-free. We never charge anything unless we win you money. Call us today at 404-341-6555 or fill out the form to your right for your free consultation.
