We Represent Motorcycle Accident Victims in Duluth, Norcross, Doraville & Throughout Gwinnett County

Duluth Motorcycle Accident Attorney

After a motorcycle accident, you may feel the physical and emotional repercussions for weeks, months, and potentially even years to come. Not only will you feel a great deal of pain and suffering, but it could also negatively impact your spouse, children, and your household. If someone else acted negligently and caused your crash, you may be entitled to financial compensation that can help your entire family. Our Duluth motorcycle accident lawyer can guide you through the process so you obtain the maximum settlement motorcycle accident victims justly deserve from the insurance company.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcyclists have little more than a helmet and some basic safety gear protecting them while they are on the road. As a result, bikers sustain some of the most severe injuries when they are involved in a crash. The most common of these are as follows:

• Internal injuries: Internal injuries are a serious risk for bikers because they do not have a lot of protection on the roads. Damage to the spleen, liver, and lungs are common and while not immediately visible, can be life-threatening.
• Brain injuries: Even with a helmet, bikers are at risk of suffering a serious brain injury during an accident. Contusions, concussions, and skull fractures are just a few of these.
• Neck and spine injuries: The spine and neck are extremely vulnerable during a motorcycle accident. Herniated discs, whiplash, and other injuries cause immense pain and mobility issues. Catastrophic injuries, such as paralysis, can negatively impact a biker’s quality of life.
• Rib injuries: Rib injuries are common during motorcycle accidents because victims typically fall off of their bikes. Broken ribs can result in difficulty breathing, severe pain, and more serious injuries, such as punctured lungs.
• Other injuries: Fractures, soft tissue injuries, and road rash are just a few of the other serious injuries suffered during a motorcycle accident.

While the above injuries are all physical, there are other types of injuries, as well. Victims can suffer from depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Even when they once loved riding their bike, they may be too traumatized to ride again after a crash. It is important to focus on healing from your injuries while an experienced Duluth motorcycle accident attorney helps you get the financial compensation you deserve from your personal injury lawsuit.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

You may have the right to financial compensation after a motorcycle accident, but the steps you take will greatly impact the settlement you ultimately receive from a motorcycle accident lawyer in Duluth, GA. The most important steps to take are as follows:

• Make sure everyone is safe.
• Call 911 to report the accident. This is a requirement under state law when a crash causes injury, death, or property damage that exceeds $500.
• Exchange information with all other parties involved. This includes their name, contact information, and insurance information and provide them with yours, as well.
• Take photos of the accident scene, your injuries, the damage caused, and the position of all vehicles involved. These can help prove your case.
• Locate witnesses and ask them for their names and contact information.
• Seek medical attention as soon as possible. This will not only ensure you receive the medical treatment you need, but it will also document the nature and severity of your injuries.

The Motorcycle Laws in Georgia

Motorcyclists are expected to comply with all of the traffic laws that apply to other motorists, such as complying with the posted speed limits and following all traffic signs and signals. However, Georgia has another set of laws that apply specifically to motorcyclists, as well. These laws include:

• All motorcyclists and passengers must wear helmets at all times while on a bike to prevent head injuries.
• Motorcyclists must have a Class M license or an endorsement on their regular driver’s license.
• Motorcyclists have the right to use a full lane of any public highway or road.
• Lane splitting, which involves traveling between two lanes of slow-moving or stopped traffic, is illegal.
• Motorcyclists must be at least 16 years of age to operate a bike.
• All motorcycles must be equipped with functioning tail lights, headlights, mirrors, turn signals, and brakes on both wheels.

While other safety gear, such as gloves and riding boots, are not mandated by law, it is recommended that all motorcyclists use them to keep themselves safe and avoid serious injuries.

Motorcycle Accidents and Comparative Negligence

There are times when more than one party may be liable for a motorcycle accident. For example, a motorcyclist may be speeding while traveling towards an intersection. Another motorist may approach the same intersection and turn left, failing to see the oncoming motorcyclist. The other motor vehicle operators may argue that they were not entirely at fault because if the biker had been traveling below the posted speed limit, they would have not approached the intersection at the same time.

In cases that have multiple liable parties, injured individuals may still be able to file a Duluth motorcycle accident claim for compensation for medical bills. This is only possible when motorcycle riders are less than 50 percent at fault for the crash. Using the above example, the motorcyclist may be assigned 20 percent of fault for speeding, while the other motorist may be found 80 percent to blame for not seeing the biker.

When injured motorcyclists are less than 50 percent to blame for their injuries, any compensation they receive will be reduced by their same percentage of fault. As such, if the biker was awarded $100,000 in damages, they would ultimately receive $80,000 because the fair compensation would be reduced by 20 percent.

Defendants often use comparative negligence to shield themselves from paying full damages. This is one reason it is so important to work with a Duluth motorcycle accident lawyer from our legal team of personal injury attorneys when filing a motorcycle accident case, so you can defend against these arguments.

Our Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Duluth Can Help with Your Case

The injuries sustained during motorcycle accidents are often catastrophic. If you or someone you love has been hurt during a crash, you need sound legal advice. At Ponton Law, our Duluth motorcycle accident lawyer from our law firm can provide it to ensure that you receive the full and fair damages that are rightfully yours. Call us today at 404-418-8507 or fill out our online form to schedule a consultation with our experienced attorney and to get sound legal representation.