Decatur Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

As a motorcyclist in Decatur, you know how important it is to operate your bike in a safe and cautious manner. Motorcycle accidents cause some of the most serious injuries on the roads, and they could even change your life. Other motorists, however, are not always as careful, particularly when it comes to bikers. Drivers of passenger vehicles often forget to watch for bikers, or they even become aggressive around them. If you have been hurt due to another person’s negligence, you may have a right to compensation. Our Decatur motorcycle accident lawyer can help you claim the full amount you deserve.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Decatur

Although motorcycles make up just two percent of all registered vehicles in Georgia, fatal accidents involving motorcycles account for 11 percent of all deadly crashes each year. Regardless of the many awareness campaigns and laws meant to protect bikers, the number of fatal motorcycle accidents consistently increases each year. There are a number of different negligent acts that cause these accidents, but some of them are more common than others. These include:

• Impaired driving
• Distracted driving
• Fatigued driving
• Running red lights
• Blind spot mistakes
• Unsafe passing
• Rolling stops
• Unsafe or illegal turns
• Braking mistakes
• Speeding
• Tailgating
• Road rage
• Road defects
• Vehicle defects

In some instances, factors such as traffic congestion or poor weather conditions can contribute to a motorcycle accident in Decatur. Ultimately, though, it is the responsibility of every motorist on the road to take the necessary precautions in these types of conditions. When drivers do not consider safety risks, or they make mistakes while behind the wheel, they are considered negligent and can be held liable for paying damages for a biker’s injuries or death.

Compensation Available in Motorcycle Accident Claims With a Decatur Motorcycle Accident Attorney

While the negligent party who caused your accident can be held liable for damages, no one can determine how much compensation you are eligible for without first fully analyzing the facts of your motorcycle accident case. Some of the most common types of damages available in these motorcycle accident cases are as follows:

• Current and future medical expenses
• Lost income and employment benefits
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Property damage
• Diminished quality of life
• Pain and suffering
• Wrongful death damages, if you lost someone you love

While the above types of damages are very common, they still vary from case to case. For example, if you cannot return to the same line of work due to the serious nature of your injuries, you can pursue damages for a loss of future earning capacity of your motorcycle accident lawsuit with our Decatur motorcycle accident lawyers. The damages you are awarded will depend on your age, as that will determine how much longer you would have worked in a certain field of employment with motorcycle accident lawyers. If you are older in age, motorcycle accident victims will not receive as much compensation for this as someone who is younger.

Common Injuries Sustained During a Motorcycle Accident

Of all the different factors that will impact the amount of compensation you can receive in a claim, the severity of your injuries is perhaps the largest. Even when motorcyclists comply with the law by wearing a helmet, they can still suffer some of the most severe injuries. The most common of these physical injuries include:

• Road rash, which is a series of deep cuts and scrapes on the skin that can become infected and suffer other complications
• Burns
• Nerve damage
• Soft tissue injuries
• Degloving injuries, which occurs when the skin is peeled off of the hand
• Chest injuries
• Amputations
• Spinal cord injuries
• Crushing injuries
• Neck injuries
• Paralysis
• Head injuries or traumatic brain injuries, such as concussions
• Leg injuries
• Internal injuries
• Wrongful death

After sustaining any of the above injuries in a motorcycle accident, there are two very important steps to take. The first is to call the City of Decatur Police Department to report the crash. An officer will arrive at the scene, conduct an investigation, and write and file a report. The police report can help document how the motorcycle crash occurred, and may even indicate who is liable for causing the accident. This information is very important to give to our Georgia motorcycle accident attorney.

The second step to take after any motorcycle accident is to visit an emergency room as soon as possible after an accident. Seeking medical attention will ensure you receive the necessary treatment for your injuries, and that they do not become worse. Also, being examined by a doctor after any motorcycle accident will document your motorcycle injuries, including the severity of them and how you sustained them. This can help prove your case to the insurance company so you are not denied the full compensation you deserve with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney.

Time Limits on Motorcycle Accident Claims in Decatur

While you may be able to file a claim for compensation after a motorcycle accident in Decatur, motorcycle riders must file your car accident or motorcycle accident claim within a certain amount of time with our Decatur motorcycle accident attorneys to receive fair compensation for any medical bills. Firstly, you should report the crash to your insurance company right away, even if the accident was not your fault. The majority of insurance policies stipulate that the policyholder must report any accident as soon as possible to legal representation. If you fail to do this, the insurer may cancel your policy for your medical treatment and to recover compensation.

Additionally, when filing a motorcycle accident claim, you have just two years from the date of the crash to do this. This law is known as the statute of limitations and if you fail to file your claim within this time, you will give up your right to claim any compensation at all. While there are some limitations to the statute of limitations in Georgia, they are quite limited. If you file your claim more than two years after your motorcycle accident, even with a personal injury attorney, the insurance company and the court will likely throw it out.

Call Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Decatur Now

If you have suffered serious injuries in a crash, you may be entitled to seek compensation. At Ponton Law, our Decatur motorcycle accident lawyer can advise you of your legal options, defend against claims that you were at fault, and help you obtain the full and fair damages you are entitled to. To receive a fair settlement, call our Decatur motorcycle accident attorney today at (404) 671-4835 or fill out our online form to schedule a free consultation of your case with our experienced attorney and to get the information you need during this legal process.