Lawrenceville Motorcycle Accident Attorney

If you ride a motorcycle anywhere in Gwinnett County, then you understand the risks that come when sharing the road with cars, trucks, and even other motorcyclists. Even when you wear a helmet–as required by Georgia law–you have little to no protection in the event of a collision with one of these other vehicles. In effect, your life is in the hands of everyone else on the road.

Indeed, in 2021, the Georgia Department of Transportation reported 194 motorcyclist deaths in motor vehicle crashes throughout the state. This represents the largest number of motorcycle-related deaths going back a decade. And to put that figure in perspective, while motorcyclists only account for about 6 percent of all licensed drivers in Georgia, they represented 15 percent of all traffic-related fatalities.

Even in non-fatal collisions, a motorcycle accident can leave you with permanent brain damage, scarring, and even paralysis. This can leave you faced with a lifetime of expensive medical bills and an inability to earn the living necessary to pay them. If you find yourself in this situation, our Lawrenceville motorcycle accident attorneys can help. Ponton Law is a Georgia personal injury law firm that represents injured motorcyclists, motorcycle passengers, and their families in seeking compensation from negligent drivers and other parties whose actions contributed to an avoidable motorcycle crash. We are happy to review your case and advise you on how to proceed with a potential claim.

How Serious is a Motorcycle Accident in Lawrenceville, Georgia?

As previously noted, Georgia law requires all motorcyclists, regardless of age, to wear a helmet while operating their bike on public highways. This is an important requirement, as head injuries are among the most commonly reported injuries in motorcycle accidents. Some of the other serious injuries that a motorcycle may sustain include:

• Biker’s Arm: When a motorcyclist is thrown from their bike, their first instinct is often to try and put your arms down to break the fall. This act of bracing often leads to what is known as “biker’s arm,” which is a term commonly used to describe the resulting nerve damage to the arms and hands.
• Road Rash: A motorcyclist’s exposed skin often rubs against the pavement following an accident. This creates friction burns known as “road rash.” Similar to burn injuries, road rash is ranked by degree of severity. For example, third-degree road rash can produce deep wounds that are easily infected.
• Traumatic Brain Injuries: A helmet can help protect against head trauma. But no helmet is foolproof. The sudden impact of being thrown from a motorcycle can still produce a traumatic brain injury (TBI). A mild TBI, known as a concussion, may only produce a few symptoms for a couple of days. A more severe TBI, in contrast, can mean permanent neurological damage.
• Spinal Cord Damage: Falling from a motorcycle can also damage a person’s spinal cord. While not as common as some of the other injuries described above, any injury to the spinal cord is serious. It can lead to permanent nerve damage and partial or total paralysis.

In addition to any physical injuries, a motorcycle accident victim must also deal with the emotional trauma and financial losses arising from their crash. Through a Georgia personal injury claim, a motorcycle accident victim can seek compensation for all of these losses and more. Georgia is an “at-fault” state, which means a negligent motorist or other third party can be held financially responsible for the full measure of any damages sustained by a motorcyclist or other victims of the accident.

Why You Need a Lawrenceville Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Hiring a lawyer is usually not the first thing a person thinks to do following a serious motorcycle accident. Obviously, the priority is seeking medical care and dealing with the immediate fallout of the crash. Yet as bills start to mount, it is important to consider hiring an experienced Lawrenceville motorcycle accident attorney. There are a few reasons for this:

• You Don’t Know the Law: Many motorcycle accident victims do not understand how the law works when it comes to personal injury. An attorney can explain the law to you and advise you on how it applies to your accident.
• You Need Help Figuring Out What Happened: In some cases, the underlying cause of a motorcycle accident is obvious. Many times, however, what happened was unclear. An experienced attorney can fully investigate the circumstances leading up to your crash and gather any evidence that may be useful in court.
• You Don’t Want to Deal with the Insurance Company. Insurance companies are often quick to try and blame motorcyclists for causing accidents. They are not on your side. That is why you need a qualified motorcycle accident attorney whose only interest is helping you.

So if you, or someone that you love, has been recently injured in a serious motorcycle accident in Gwinnett County, contact Ponton Law today to schedule a free case evaluation.