Motorcycle accidents are serious business. Because motorcycles have fewer protective features, these accidents often lead to traumatic injuries for the riders, while car drivers come out relatively unscathed. Yet, motorcycle accidents caused by others often lead to emotional and financial damages in addition to physical injury.
You might be entitled to compensation if you were injured in a motorcycle accident that was not your fault. To learn if this is true, contact Barrios Virgüez to speak to an Augusta motorcycle accident lawyer about your case. You deserve compensation for the injuries caused by a negligent party instead of paying for expenses out of your pocket.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Augusta
Motorcycle accidents are often severe because bikes offer minimal protection to riders. Therefore, it is important to avoid accidents if you are on a motorcycle. If you were recently injured in a motorcycle accident, chances are high that you are interested in finding the root cause.
These are some common causes of motorcycle accidents that your Augusta motorcycle accident lawyer from Barrios Virgüez handles regularly:
Cars Turning Left
Nearly half of all fatal crashes involving cars and motorcycles resulted from the car turning left leading up to the crash. This is unfortunate, especially because right-of-way laws specify that drivers turning left must yield to all other traffic. Interestingly, if you were not killed in the accident, the fact that you were hit while the car turned left might be a stroke of good fortune.
Because laws prohibit turning left without yielding to other traffic, the driver will nearly always be at fault for any motorcycle accidents that occur in these circumstances.
Head-On Collisions
These are the most dangerous accidents for motorcycle drivers. The force the rider incurs upon impact is devastating, often causing death. While head-on collisions are extremely damaging, determining fault often depends on which driver was in the wrong lane.
If the biker is injured in a head-on collision outside the appropriate line, they could be at fault. Have a motorcycle accident attorney in Augusta review your case as soon as possible so you know what steps to take.
Crashing into Fixed Objects
If a motorcycle veers away from proper roads due to road conditions or other reasons, there is a chance it will collide with fixed objects like light poles or guardrails. Of the 5,114 fatal motorcycle accidents in 2019, 23% involved riders crashing into fixed objects. If another driver or improper road conditions caused the collision, motorcycle riders might have a case against the other drivers or whoever is responsible for maintaining the road.
Road Hazards
Uneven roads, potholes, railway tracks, and other hazardous road conditions can cause motorcycle riders to become off-balance, leading to accidents. If you were injured in an accident caused by a poorly maintained road, you could make an effort to file a claim against the parties who are responsible for the road. However, winning a case against government organizations is nearly impossible without professional legal representation.
Lane Splitting
Because motorcycles are more compact, many riders think they can skirt traffic by riding between lanes of slowly moving vehicles. Generally, drivers are not expecting people to pass them during slow traffic, so they may not notice riders and accidentally hit them. Since there is minimal space for motorcycles to move in these circumstances, it is incredibly difficult to avoid such accidents.
If your motorcycle accident happened while you were splitting lanes, there is a high probability that you will be found at fault if you make a claim. Even so, speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer in Augusta, GA, about your case. They can review all of the evidence and provide an honest assessment of the accident.
Irresponsible Behaviors
Rider behaviors also predict outcomes. If a driver chooses to drink alcohol before riding, they are more likely to be involved in an accident. Likewise, riders who drive above the speed limit increase their chance of being in a serious accident because it is difficult to avoid collisions when moving at high speeds.
No matter who is at fault when you are injured, you deserve to be compensated for your losses. Talk to our motorcycle accident lawyers today about the crash that caused your injuries.
For a free legal consultation with a motorcycle accidents lawyer serving Augusta, call 678-888-2222
Common Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents
To understand what level of compensation you are due in your motorcycle accident claim, your lawyer needs to know what injuries you suffered. Here are some examples of common injuries that are caused by motorcycle accidents:
- Road burns
- Traumatic brain injuries
- General head injuries
- Injuries to limbs
- Amputation
- Spinal damage
- Joint damage
- Bone breaks
Injuries could be even more severe if you were not wearing a helmet during the accident. Fortunately, the money acquired in a settlement can help you reduce the financial burden associated with your motorcycle accident injuries. Contact a motorcycle accident attorney in Augusta, GA, soon to start fighting for fair compensation.
Follow the Doctor’s Orders After a Motorcycle Accident
When injured in a motorcycle accident, you must follow your doctor’s orders. Do not ignore or vary from their instructions and the medications prescribed or skip going to follow-up appointments.
If the doctor wants you to go to physical therapy, attend all the appointments. Sticking to your treatment plan will help you heal faster and provide proof that you need all the compensation that you are requesting.
Augusta Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near Me 678-888-2222
The Average Motorcycle Accident Settlement in Augusta
All motorcycle accident cases are different. Therefore, the amount you stand to recover in a settlement varies. That is why you should speak with the motorcycle accident attorneys at our firm before making any decisions about your case.
There is no set number allotted to motorcycle accident victims. Instead, a judge, jury, or insurance company will determine what losses you incurred, then translate that to a specific amount of damages you are owed. The purpose of this process is to make the victim of the accident whole.
To achieve this, victims should be paid financial restitution that puts them in a position where it is as if the accident never happened. Unfortunately, insurance companies and at-fault drivers rarely want to do what is right to ensure you are compensated fairly. That is why you need to enlist the services of an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Augusta, GA.
Calculating Damages
Your motorcycle accident attorney in Augusta will calculate the total losses you suffered, then fight for that amount through negotiations or court. Some factors that may be included in your damages are:
- Financial losses you have already incurred
- Financial losses are expected to arise in the future
- Non-tangible damages, like:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
Keep every bill, invoice, or receipt associated with your motorcycle accident in Augusta. The motorcycle accident lawyers at our firm will use these documents to help determine the compensation you should receive in the personal injury claim. Talk to a motorcycle accident attorney in Augusta, GA, at your earliest convenience.
Click to contact our Augusta Personal Injury Lawyers today
The Statute of Limitations in Georgia
You do not have an unlimited amount of time to file a claim when injured in an Augusta motorcycle accident. The Georgia statute of limitations gives you just two years from the date of the accident to file a claim. Should you miss the deadline, the court is within the scope of the law to dismiss the case. If this happens, you wind up losing the opportunity to recover compensation for your losses.
When you want to hold negligent parties responsible for your injuries, talk to an Augusta motorcycle accident attorney from our firm. We will conduct a thorough investigation into the crash, review your medical records, talk to witnesses, collect evidence, and review the police report in order to build a strong case on your behalf. We can ensure you do not miss the filing deadline.
Complete a Free Case Evaluation form now
We Will Fight on Your Behalf
Filing a motorcycle claim is a complex process. This process is even more complex when someone has suffered serious injuries due to an accident. Do not let filing your claim become a headache you cannot manage. Instead, work with an Augusta motorcycle accident lawyer.
Barrios Virgüez has a long history of helping motorcycle accident victims claim fair and reasonable compensation from the parties that caused their injuries. To schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys, reach out to us by completing our contact form today.
Call or text 678-888-2222 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form
