If you suffered harm in a motorcycle accident in Lawrenceville, Georgia, you have the right to seek compensation for your injuries. When another driver’s negligence or recklessness causes a collision, seek the help of an experienced Lawrenceville motorcycle accident attorney.
At MG Law, we have a proven record of success when assisting injured motorcycle riders in Georgia, and we are ready to help you too. Please contact our office today to schedule an initial consultation.
Steps to Take Following Your Lawrenceville Motorcycle Accident
After having a motorcycle accident in Lawrenceville, the next steps you take can have an impact on your potential legal claim. Keep the following in mind if you’ve been involved in a crash:
Contact the Police
Call the police to report the accident. Depending on the severity of your injuries, someone else might need to call 911. The responding officer will conduct an investigation and take statements. Be careful what you say at the scene, or it might be used against you down the line.
Exchange Information
If you’re conscious and responsive, exchange contact information with all involved parties. Be sure to get insurance information for the driver who struck you. Did anyone witness the accident? You need to get their contact information, as their statement could help your case.
Take Scene Photos
If your injuries are not severe, try to take photos of the scene. Include photos of vehicle and motorcycle damage, debris, skid marks, and anything else that could be important.
Seek Timely Medical Treatment
Seek medical treatment immediately if you do not require emergency transport from the scene. Motorcycle accidents can lead to severe injuries, some of which might not immediately appear. You should always get checked out after an accident. You might have internal bleeding or organ damage that is not visible.
Also, a delay in treatment will work against you in a motorcycle accident claim. The insurance company adjuster will argue that something else contributed to your injuries if you waited to see a doctor.
Report the Accident to Your Insurance Company
You should also file a claim with your insurance company before the other driver does. If you speak with the adjuster for the other parties, be very cautious about what you say. Expect the adjuster to ask for a recorded statement. You should not agree to that without speaking to a lawyer for a motorcycle accident in Lawrenceville.
Contact a Lawrenceville, GA, Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Meeting with a lawyer is essential. For one, they help protect your rights. When you hire MG Law to represent you, we’ll be there every step of the way. You won’t need to speak with the other driver’s insurance company either. That is why we recommend hiring a lawyer early in the claims process.
The other driver’s insurance adjuster will try to convince you that you don’t need a lawyer. Remember, they are not looking out for you. Their allegiance is to their insured and the insurance company’s bottom line.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Every accident is unique, but there are some things that cause crashes often.
- Driver error: This is the leading cause of motorcycle accidents and can include a variety of actions by the other driver, such as distracted driving, failing to yield, driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, and reckless or aggressive driving.
- Poor road conditions: Motorcyclists are more vulnerable to road hazards such as potholes, loose gravel, slippery surfaces, and uneven pavement.
- Vehicle defects: Defective brakes, tires, and other motorcycle components can cause accidents.
- Weather conditions: Rain, snow, and fog can reduce visibility and make roads more hazardous for motorcyclists.
- Speeding: Excessive speed can cause motorcyclists to lose control, especially when navigating turns or curves.
- Lack of experience: New motorcyclists might lack the skills necessary to avoid accidents.
- Misjudging distance: Motorists often misjudge the distance of a motorcycle and initiate a turn causing the motorcycle rider to lose control and crash.
- Blind spots: Large vehicles such as trucks and buses have significant blind spots where they can’t see motorcycles. That can lead to accidents if the driver makes a turn or lane change without signaling.
Remember that these factors can affect motorcycle accidents in complex ways. An experienced lawyer can determine all potentially responsible parties who should be contributing to compensation for your injuries.
Liability Laws in Lawrenceville, GA
Building a solid case against the other driver is crucial in a motorcycle accident case. Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence system, meaning you can still recover compensation if you are 49% or less at fault for the accident. However, if you are 50% or more at fault, you are ineligible to receive any reimbursement. Your degree of fault also impacts the amount of money you can recover. For example, if you are 20% at fault, the maximum compensation you will receive is 80% of your total losses.
That is why you need an experienced Lawrenceville motorcycle accident lawyer. Insurance adjusters will use anything at their disposal to put most of the blame back onto you. They will allege your percentage of fault is at least 50%, so they can close their file and pay you nothing.
To successfully prove liability against the other driver, you must provide evidence of the following:
- The other driver’s legal duty to you,
- How the other driver breached this legal duty,
- The driver’s actions caused the accident, and
- Proof of damages.
That’s why having an experienced Lawrenceville motorcycle accident lawyer is vital. Your attorney will defend you and argue evidence that proves the other driver’s liability.
Common Injuries in a Lawrenceville Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle accidents often result in severe injuries as riders lack the protection of a car’s steel frame. Some common injuries in motorcycle accidents include the following:
- Broken bones,
- Road rash,
- Spinal cord injuries,
- Sprains and strains,
- Traumatic brain injuries,
- Crushed limbs,
- Severe burns,
- Internal injuries, and
- Skull fractures.
If you have sustained any other injury not on this list, our team at MG Law wants to hear about it.
Tips to Help Protect Against Motorcycle Accident Injuries
- Wear proper safety gear: Wearing a helmet, gloves, and other protective gear can help reduce the severity of injuries in the event of an accident.
- Follow traffic laws: Motorcyclists should obey traffic laws and signs, including speed limits and lane markings.
- Be visible: Motorcyclists should wear bright clothing and use reflective materials on their bikes to increase visibility to other motorists.
- Keep a safe distance: Motorcyclists should maintain a safe following distance from other vehicles to allow time to react to sudden stops or changes in traffic.
- Stay alert and focused: Motorcyclists should stay focused on the road and avoid distractions, such as using a cell phone or listening to music.
- Be prepared for weather conditions: Motorcyclists should be prepared for changing weather conditions, including rain, wind, and extreme heat or cold.
- Avoid riding under the influence: Alcohol and drugs impair judgment and reaction time, and can greatly increase the risk of a motorcycle accident.
- Take a safety course: Completing a motorcycle safety course can provide valuable information to even the most experienced of riders.
Contact a Lawrenceville Motorcycle Accident Attorney
If you suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident in Lawrenceville, reach out to the experienced lawyers at MG Law. We understand what it takes to build a strong case and will fight for the compensation you deserve. Let us put our years of experience to work for you. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.