Motorcycle Accidents

Experienced Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Serving Roswell

While all vehicle crashes are scary, motorcycle crashes can be particularly dangerous given the lack of structural protection that motorcycles offer. For this reason, motorcycle accidents tend to result in a disproportionately high rate of fatalities. Marietta motorcycle crash lawyer Norman Miller fights aggressively to represent victims throughout the state of Georgia, helping them get the compensation they deserve.

High Rates of Fatalities Among Georgia Crash Victims

Motorcycle accidents are particularly dangerous to motorcyclists and their accompanying riders. According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, there were 149 motorcycle fatalities in Georgia in 2011. This number includes 27 people between the ages of 20 and 29. The numbers of motorcycle wrecks thus continue to be an issue in the state of Georgia.

All motorcyclists are required to wear protective head gear, such as a helmet. If the motorcycle is not fitted with a windshield, riders also must wear goggles or a similar type of eye protection.

What Causes a Motorcycle Accident?

Like any other car crash, motorcycle accidents can occur for a number of reasons, including poor weather conditions like ice, rain, sleet, and snow. These conditions can affect roads and cause the motorcyclist to lose control. Accidents also can happen because of poor visibility caused by thick fog. In other instances, accidents can occur due to road conditions caused by improper maintenance, such as potholes and uneven streets.

Finally, disobeying traffic laws by speeding, swerving, or lane splitting can lead to motorcycle crashes. Many accidents take place when a car hits a motorcycle because it failed to yield. Additionally, drug or alcohol impairment, texting while driving, and other types of distracted driving can cause or contribute to motorcycle crashes.

Negligence Claims Following Motorcycle Accidents

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, you can file a lawsuit against the at-fault party under the theory of negligence. A driver can be found liable for your injuries if his or her conduct was negligent. This is generally defined as the failure to use reasonable care while driving. For example, a driver could be held liable for an accident if he or she was speeding and swerved into the path of a motorcycle. The driver would likely be responsible for any damage to the motorbike and any injuries sustained by its occupants.

To prove negligence, a victim must show that the driver had a duty to exercise reasonable care while driving, the driver breached this duty, and the driver’s breach caused the accident and the victim’s injuries. In the immediate aftermath of an accident, questions of liability can be confusing. This should not deter you from filing a claim. Even if you are partially at fault, you may still be entitled to compensation. Georgia law adheres to a system of contributory negligence, which means that you can recover still compensation for your injuries as long as you were less at fault than the other party.

What Type of Injuries Can One Sustain in a Motorcycle Accident?

There is an undoubted thrill that comes with riding a motorcycle on the open road. However, if motorcyclists get into a car accident, they risk sustaining more serious injuries than car or van drivers. Some common motorcycle injuries include:

  • Broken bones
  • Cuts and scrapes
  • Disfigurement
  • Crushed organs
  • Skull fracture
  • Brain trauma
  • Spinal cord injury
  • Internal bleeding and/or bruising
  • Paralysis
  • Death
What Can You Recover?

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation from the at-fault party. Specifically, you may be able to recover medical costs, future medical expenses, property damage, pain and suffering, lost wages, future earnings, and other costs that arose from the motorcycle crash. If you’ve lost a loved one, you may be able to recover damages through a wrongful death action.

Experienced Representation in Your Motorcycle Collision Case

Motorcycle accident lawyer Norman Miller offers experienced and skilled representation to injured motorcyclists in Marietta, Roswell, Smyrna, and other Georgia areas. We understand that a motorcycle crash can be a traumatic experience, which is why we are committed to pursuing fair compensation for our clients. We have years of experience negotiating settlements as well as advocating for our clients in the courtroom. Together, we can create a strategy that works for you. To discuss your motorcycle accident, call us today at 770-284-3727 or contact us online for a free case evaluation.