Motorcycle accidents of any kind can be devastating. However, motorcyclists lack the protection that traditional motor vehicles do. This means when involved in a collision, your injuries may be far more severe than those of someone who is traveling in a car, SUV, truck, or any other type of covered vehicle. If another party is the cause of your injuries, you may be able to hold them accountable.
When you have expensive medical expenses, debilitating emotional trauma, and catastrophic or life-threatening injuries, the least the at-fault party can do is ensure you have access to the financial compensation you deserve. Sadly, far too many liable parties failed to take responsibility for their negligence. Our experienced personal injury lawyers at T. Madden & Associates, P.C. are committed to helping injury victims in the College Park community put these traumatic experiences behind them. If you are recuperating from a devastating motorcycle wreck, do not hesitate to contact our College Park motorcycle accident lawyers to request a 100% free consultation.
Motorcycle Accident Injuries Are Often Catastrophic
Most motor vehicles surround motorists and passengers with thousands of pounds of steel. This helps protect them in the event of a collision. The steel skeleton of most types of vehicles will offer protection that motorcycles simply do not have. When motorcycles crash, bikers will absorb the full impact of the collision instead of the steel skeleton. A motorcycle accident victim can endure life-threatening and catastrophic injuries as a result of this impact. Some of the most common types of motorcycle accident injuries our personal injury attorneys see include:
- Road rash
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burn injuries
- Broken and fractured bones
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Paralysis
- Amputation
- Soft tissue injuries
- Neck injuries
- Facial trauma and dental injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
- Hip and knee injuries
- Shoulder injuries
- Whiplash
- Concussion
You may have extensive medical bills, medical equipment costs, lost wages, and other out of pocket expenses that you need to seek compensation for. An experienced personal injury lawyer can help you navigate your health insurance and auto insurance claims, ensure you have access to the medical care and financial support you need to heal from your serious injuries.
How Motorcycle Accident Insurance Claims Work in College Park
After a motorcycle accident, do not file a claim against your personal insurance policy. Georgia follows fault insurance laws, so the liable party and their insurance provider will be responsible for covering your expenses. The insurance company is likely to put up a fight after you file a claim to reduce their financial responsibilities. However, our team will be fully prepared to negotiate reasonable settlement terms. If the at-fault party does not have insurance coverage or there is not enough coverage to meet your needs, we will be prepared to move forward with your motorcycle accident lawsuit at trial.
Demand Maximum Compensation for Your Damages and Suffering
Do not let the liable party get away with their negligence. You have substantial damages and losses that should be covered. While fair compensation will not make up for or change what you have been through, it can help you start to rebuild your life. Examples of the economic and non-economic damages you could recover include:
- Disfigurement and skin scarring
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Medical expenses, devices, and equipment
- Future healthcare treatment
- Diminished quality of life
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of potential salary increases and future earnings
- Loss of benefits provided by your employer
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
- Loss of household services
- Wrongful death damages, where applicable
College Park Motorcycle Accident FAQ
Taking action after a motorcycle accident may be the furthest thing from your mind. However, the sooner you get started on your motorcycle accident case, the more likely you will be able to recover the compensation that is rightfully yours. To help you gain confidence and inform you about the motorcycle accident claims process, we have answered some of our former client’s most frequently asked questions regarding motorcycle accident and personal injury cases below. As always, if you have questions we do not answer on this page, contact our legal team to discuss the circumstances of your case in further detail.
Who is most often at fault in motorcycle-car crashes?
In most motorcycle accident cases, the driver that hit you will be found liable. This most frequently occurs because motorists are not operating their vehicles as safely as they should be. Negligent driving can take multiple forms. Some examples of negligent driving could include:
- Failure to stop
- Failure to yield
- Operating a vehicle under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Driving over the speed limit
- Distracted driving
- Following too closely
- Making unlawful turns
- Failure to check blind spots
- Driving drowsy
However, reckless drivers are not the only parties found liable in motorcycle accident cases. For instance, if your collision was caused by a drunk driver, and a local dram shop over-served or sold them alcohol while already intoxicated, the dram shop could share the blame for your injuries.
You could also pursue legal action against the auto parts designers and manufacturers, maintenance workers, and even safety inspectors or motor vehicle dealerships if defective parts contributed to the accident. Additionally, government agencies, such as the Georgia Department of Transportation or the city of College Park could be partially responsible if the accident was caused by potholes, unsecured road construction work zones, lack of sufficient crosswalks or traffic lights, or other roadway hazards. Your motorcycle accident attorney in College Park will be responsible for investigating the cause of the accident so we can uncover the identities of those who are ultimately responsible for causing your physical injuries and resulting damages.
What percentage of motorcycle riders get injured?
There is no exact percentage of motorcycle riders that get injured in a collision. Depending on the severity of the accident, most motorcyclists will endure injuries that have a significant impact on their lives. The greater the impact the injuries have on your life, the more you can expect to recover as part of your insurance settlement or judgment at trial.
Why is the insurance adjuster blaming me for the accident?
Insurance adjusters do everything they can to avoid paying out on claims. Bikers have a reputation for being reckless drivers, and insurance companies often attempt to capitalize on these stereotypes and stigmas. Your motorcycle accident attorney will be by your side to refute any reckless driver accusations you may face. Most motorcyclists drive as safely as possible and have the utmost respect for traffic rules and regulations. Despite this, bikers are at an increased risk of being taken advantage of by money-motivated insurance companies. They believe they can trick you into settling for less than you deserve or blame you for causing the accident to reduce your settlement.
Remember, Georgia is a modified comparative negligence state with a 50% bar threshold. If your portion of liability is less than 50% limit you can continue pursuing your case. However, the greater your portion of blame, the more will be deducted from your settlement. If the insurance company can blame you or argue you are partially responsible for causing the injuries you sustained, they may have to pay out less on your personal injury claim. Fortunately, your personal injury attorney is well aware of these tactics and prepared to fight back. We will ensure fault is accurately determined in your case so the insurance company does not get away with blaming you for an accident you did not cause.
How long do I have to file my claim before the statute of limitations expires under Georgia law?
Unfortunately, the statute of limitations for motorcycle accident and personal injury claims in Georgia is not extensive. You have just two years from the date the accident occurred to file your lawsuit. This may seem like more than enough time to pursue your case, but it takes time to build a powerful claim against the liable party. The more time we have to build your case, the stronger your case will be.
There are also situations in which you may have additional time to file your claim if the statute of limitations has been temporarily paused. This occurs most often when victims do not discover injuries until a later date or are minors. If you are unsure how much longer you have to get your claim filed, your best option is to reach out to an experienced motorcycle accident attorney T. Madden & Associates, P.C. for clarity.
How much does a motorcycle accident lawyer cost?
Do not let the cost of hiring a personal injury or motorcycle accident attorney stop you from getting the legal help you need when you need it most. A College Park motorcycle accident lawyer will work for you on contingency. We do not want you to have to put your personal finances on the line to demand justice. We cover all court expenses and costs that may arise as we build a case against the liable party. Then, when we win, our attorney’s fees will be deducted from your settlement. However, if we lose, you do not have to pay anything. Consider contingency agreements your risk-free opportunity to get justice.
Reach Out To Our Top-Rated, Black-Owned Motorcycle Accident Law Firm Today
Motorcycle accident injuries can be difficult to overcome. At T. Madden & Associates, P.C., we devote ourselves to our clients and do everything possible to help them get through some of the most devastating times in their lives. Put our decades of legal guidance and experience to work for you. Connect with College Park’s leading motorcycle accident attorneys as soon as today to explore your legal options for financial relief. Reach us by phone or through our quick contact form to get started.