Top Advice for Handling Motorcycle Accident Claims
In Georgia, it’s popular to own a motorcycle because of our state’s warmer climate and variety of roadways and topography. Some people have motorcycles as their primary mode of transportation. Others ride motorcycles as a way to enjoy some leisure time. Driving a motorcycle can provide a sense of freedom, but it also comes with some risks.
Steps to Take After Being in an Accident
When a motorcycle is involved in an accident with another vehicle, the motorcycle typically sustains the bulk of the damage. Motorcycles just do not provide riders with the same level of protection as cars, trucks, and other commercial vehicles. Even when motorcycles are designed with specialty protective gear, the riders face a much higher risk of serious injury and death.
Immediately after an accident, you should prioritize your health and safety. If needed, call 9-1-1 and seek emergency medical care. Call police to report the accident. If possible, exchange insurance information with the other driver involved and take photos of the scene as well as any injuries. If there are any witnesses to the accident, make sure you get their contact information, as well.
Following the accident, and after you’ve received medical evaluations and care, you’ll want to contact a motorcycle accident attorney such as Burrow & Associates. In order to collect compensation for your injuries and property damage, we will have to collect evidence and file a claim with the at-fault driver’s insurer.
Common Motorcycle Injuries
In an accident with a motorcycle, the motorcyclist has a higher risk of severe injury. According to the Insurance Information Institute, motorcyclists are five times more likely to be injured than the driver of a passenger vehicle. Common motorcycle injuries include:
- Burns and lacerations
- Skin damage and disfigurement
- Torn muscles
- Fractures
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Organ damage
- Spinal cord and nerve damage
- Traumatic brain injury
- Permanent disabilities
Motorcycle accidents can also be deadly. According to the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 5,000 motorcyclists died in the US in 2019. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident or your loved one was killed due to a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation.
How To Secure a Fair Motorcycle Settlement
Many people may not know that if you’ve been in a motorcycle accident, you are not automatically entitled to damages. You have to file a claim with the at-fault party’s insurance company. Working with our motorcycle accident attorneys can help ensure that you’ll receive a fair settlement and the full compensation you’re entitled to.
In more than 2/3 of all motorcycle-related accidents, it is the driver of the other vehicle who is at fault (Source: USDOT). That’s because of vehicle blind spots and drivers being unfamiliar with, or not paying attention to, the motorcyclist’s driving patterns. If you are a motorcyclist who has been severely injured because of the negligence of another driver, you may be entitled to receive compensation for medical expenses, the repair or replacement of your motorcycle, and lost wages. You may also be entitled to long-term damages such as ongoing medical treatment, medication, and injuries that permanently impact your ability to work. Calculating these damages requires complex, in-depth analysis, plus follow-up opinions from experts.
Your motorcycle accident attorney can provide legal assistance and advocacy. We can also negotiate with the insurance company. Insurance companies are notorious for denying or delaying payment on claims – even if those claims are valid or their clients are completely at fault. A personal injury attorney can communicate with the insurance company and fight for a fair settlement. Or, if the insurance company is unwilling to reach a fair settlement, the personal injury attorney will take the motorcycle accident case to court.
Have Questions About Your Motorcycle Accident Claim? Contact Burrow & Associates
An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Georgia can help protect you and your rights as a motorcyclist. At Burrow & Associates, we can help recover medical expenses and property damage, as well as negotiate with the insurance company. If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident or another similar personal injury-related case, request a free consultation or give us a call at (678) 323-2394. We have offices located in Athens, Conyers, Duluth, Gainesville, Kennesaw, and Morrow.