Motorcycle riders are at far greater risk of being injured than drivers of automobiles or trucks. Motorcycle accident injuries can range from mild bruises and cuts to more severe injuries, such as broken bones or internal bleeding. A motorcycle accident victim could even suffer traumatic brain injury or spinal injury after a motorcycle accident.
Motorcycle accidents can also result in wrongful death cases. The injury attorneys at T. Madden & Associates P.C. are here to fight for your physical and financial losses following a motorcycle crash. You may be entitled to maximum compensation to cover the expenses of medical treatments, hospital visits, and loss of income due to the motorcycle accident. With help from our dedicated Macon motorcycle accident lawyers, motorcycle accident victims throughout Macon and the state of Georgia can recover compensation for their damages.
What To Do at the Motorcycle Accident Scene
Motorcycle riders have a different set of risks than automobile drivers. Experienced riders face challenges when truck and car drivers suddenly change lanes, engage in distracted or reckless driving, fail to yield, or approach road debris. Motorcycle accidents are more deadly than automobile accidents since motorcyclists are more physically exposed than drivers in four-wheeled vehicles.
The following outlines the steps you should take following a motorcycle crash:
- Check all involved parties for injuries and call 911 for medical assistance.
- Move to a safe location out of the roadway if possible and assess the accident scene.
- Take pictures of everyone and everything. If it is safe to do so, take photographs before moving to a different location. Capture photos of the damage to vehicles, the location of the crash, weather conditions, and all injuries.
- Gather contact information from other parties involved in the crash. This includes names, phone numbers, addresses, and automobile insurance information. You should note the information regarding the vehicles involved, including their color, make, model, and license plate.
- Call the police. Regardless of property damage and injuries, the police report will be crucial during the claims process.
- Talk to witnesses of the motorcycle crash. Ask if it is okay to record their statement on your cell phone by voice or video. If they do not want to speak to you, ask them to remain at the scene until police arrive or collect their contact information to give to your personal injury attorney.
What Should I Do After a Macon Motorcycle Accident?
After the accident, you must seek medical treatment. Even if you think your injuries are not severe enough that you need to go to the emergency room, you should still visit your doctor. Some injuries, like internal bleeding or whiplash, can take several days to show signs.
If you wait too long to seek treatment, the insurance company could blame your injuries on something other than the motorcycle crash. If the crash was not your fault, you should not have to cover the expenses for your injuries. Your Macon motorcycle accident attorney can fight to ensure your medical bills are reimbursed through a settlement.
The at-fault driver’s insurance company will attempt a quick settlement, but remember, you deserve more than they will offer. It is common for them to offer a lowball settlement, not considering the full financial impact of the injuries you suffered. Working with a knowledgeable Macon motorcycle crash lawyer from T. Madden & Associates P.C. can help you secure the settlement you deserve.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Some of the most common types of catastrophic injuries our personal injury law firm sees in personal injury lawsuits and motorcycle accident claims include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal cord injury
- Third-degree burns
- Broken bones
- Paralysis
- Loss of limbs
Common Types of Damages in Macon Motorcycle Accidents
Damages can include anything that is lost, destroyed, or damaged. Damages also include bodily harm. Your skilled motorcycle accident attorney will assess the value for each type of damage you have suffered, including your physical injuries.
Some common types of damages in a motorcycle crash include:
- The cost for replacement or repair of your damaged motorcycle
- The cost for emergency ambulance transportation from the crash scene to a nearby hospital, including any medical treatment given by the first responders and medications that may have been provided on the scene.
- Emergency room expenses, including medications and hospital room charges
- Other relevant medical expenses
- Surgery costs for your accident-related injuries
- Prescription medications for pain management and infection prevention
- Lost income that you cannot earn due to your injuries and during recovery time after surgery
- Physical therapy to improve movement, stability, strength, and function
- Occupational therapy to work on relearning daily activities, improve motor skills, and restore balance
How Long Do I Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim?
Georgia has a statute of limitations that sets a deadline on how long you have to file a claim. For most cases, you have two years from the date of your accident to file a lawsuit. The exceptions to the two-year limit include:
- The plaintiff is legally incompetent
- The plaintiff is under 18 years old
- The plaintiff becomes disabled after the crash
- Related criminal charges are pending
Common Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents in Macon
Motorcyclists face many dangers and challenges when they head out on the road. When other drivers do not pay attention or follow the rules of the road, a serious motorcycle accident can occur. There are many causes of Macon motorcycle accidents with the top causes listed below:
Speeding
Speeding can reduce a driver’s chance of seeing motorcyclists, which can cause a delayed reaction time to stop in time to prevent an accident. The faster the driver is going, the greater the impact to the motorcycle.
Unsafe lane changes
Unsafe lane changes are dangerous for motorcyclists and motorists alike. When they fail to signal when changing lanes or checking their blind spot, the driver risks colliding with the vehicle or motorcycle next to them. Over-correction in these situations can cause further crashes.
Car doors
Some motorcycle crashes occur when the car door of a parked vehicle opens in the path of a motorcycle. Before opening a door, motorists must check to ensure they are not opening the door into oncoming traffic. Sun glare, snow, fog, and hail can make it more difficult for motorcyclists to spot an open car door.
Driving under the influence
Drivers under the influence of drugs or alcohol can cause dangerous motorcycle crashes. Motorcyclists who are intoxicated can be very dangerous for others on the road.
Sudden stops
Rear-end crashes happen when a driver follows too closely to another vehicle. When a driver abruptly stops, the vehicle following closely behind it has little time to stop or swerve out of the way.
Lane splitting
Lane splitting is when a motorcycle rider drives between two lanes of traffic. This practice is illegal in Georgia.
Inexperienced drivers
Drivers who lack experience are more likely to make unsafe moves on the roadways. This can compromise the safety of surrounding motorists.
Dangerous road conditions
Lack of necessary signs and signals, debris, potholes, and crumbling pavement can all increase the chances of a motorcyclist losing control of their vehicle.
Left turn accidents
Misjudgments of distance or right-of-way errors while making a left turn often cause motorcyclists to suffer serious injuries or even death.
Contact Our Experienced Macon Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Today
If you have been injured in a motorcycle wreck, you deserve fair compensation for your injuries and damages. Proving a motorcycle injury claim can require the expertise of a knowledgeable Macon motorcycle accident lawyer. T. Madden & Associates P.C. offers superior legal guidance to clients in our neighborhood. Reach us today using our online contact form.