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.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident that was not your fault, you may be entitled to some form of compensation. To learn if this is true, reach out to Barrios & Virguez to speak to an Augusta motorcycle accident attorney about your case.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents are often severe due to the fact that 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 out the root cause of the accident.
These are some common causes of motorcycle accidents:
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 clearly specify that drivers turning left must yield to all other traffic. Though, if you were not killed in the accident, the fact that you were hit while the car was turning left may turn out to 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 while they are turning left.
Head-on Collisions
These are the most dangerous accidents for motorcycle drivers. The amount of force the rider incurs upon impact is devastating, often causing death. While head-on collisions are extremely problematic, determining fault often depends on which driver was in the wrong lane.
If the biker is injured in a head-on collision that occurred while they were outside of the appropriate line, the biker themselves could be at fault.
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. Of the 5,114 fatal motorcycle accidents that occurred in 2019, 23% involved riders crashing into fixed objects. If the collision was caused by another driver or improper road conditions, motorcycle riders may 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 can make an effort to file a claim against the parties who are responsible for the road. Though, winning a case against government organizations is nearly impossible without legal representation.
Lane Splitting
Because motorcycles are more compact, many drivers 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.
Irresponsible Behaviors
Rider behaviors also predict outcomes. If a driver chooses to drink alcohol before riding, there is a higher chance of them being involved in an accident. Likewise, riders who drive above the speed limit are increasing their chance of being in a serious accident because it is difficult to avoid collisions when moving at high speeds.
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
If you were not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, injuries could be even more severe. Fortunately, the money acquired in a settlement can help you reduce the financial burden associated with your motorcycle accident injuries. To start fighting for fair compensation, get in touch with an Augusta motorcycle accident lawyer soon.
Augusta Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near Me 678-888-2222
How Big Is the Average Motorcycle Accident Settlement?
All motorcycle accident cases are different. Therefore, the amount you stand to recover in a settlement varies.
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 that you are owed. The purpose of this process is to make the victim of the accident whole.
To achieve this, they must be provided with the resources needed to put them into a position where it is as if the accident never happened. Unfortunately, the insurance companies and at-fault drivers rarely want to do what is right to ensure that you are compensated fairly. That is why you need to enlist the services of an experienced Augusta motorcycle accident lawyer.
Calculating Damages
Your motorcycle accident attorney in Augusta will calculate the total amount of losses you suffered, then fight for that amount through negotiations or in court. Some factors that may be included in your damages are:
- Financial losses you have already incurred
- Financial losses expected to arise in the future
- Non-tangible damages, like:
- Pain and suffering
- Emotional distress
- Loss of consortium
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We Will Fight on Your Behalf
Filing a motorcycle claim is a complex process. This process is made even more complex when someone has suffered from serious injuries due to the accident. Do not let filing your claim become a headache that you are unable to manage; instead, work with a motorcycle accident lawyer in Augusta.
Barrios & Virguez has a long history of helping motorcycle accident victims claim fair and reasonable compensation from the parties that caused their injuries. To get in touch with one of our attorneys, contact us today by filling out the contact form on this page.
Call or text 678-888-2222 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form