Motorcycle Accident Information & Motorcycle Accident Lawyers In Georgia

A rider on a motorcycle who is involved in an accident almost always received serious injuries or even death. When the accident is caused by the actions of another vehicle or when the conditions of the road itself can be blamed for the accident, the victim or victim's family should check with a legal firm that specializes in motorcycle accidents. An attorney can be of assistance in various ways during the aftermath of the injuries.

In addition to review and determination of the facts of the accident, the attorney will monitor the medical condition of the victim and gain an expectation of the long term prognosis for healing and recovery. In this way, a financial demand package can be developed to present to the insurance company as a basis for negotiation.

In Georgia, over one hundred motorcyclists were killed in the year 2004 and numbers haven't changed significantly since then. In addition, hundreds of riders are injured annually, some severely. Riding a motorcycle is definitely an activity that puts the rider at risk. What is unfortunate is that the cause of a motorcycle accident most often lies with the negligence, carelessness or recklessness of another driver--frequently one in an automobile.

A majority of accidents involving motorcycles and other vehicles occur at intersections. The other driver fails to yield, the other driver makes an illegal turn, the other driver is speeding or fails to obey the traffic light or stop sign and collides with the motorcycle, thus causing the accident and injuries. In fact, about 2/3 of motorcycle accidents are the fault of the other driver. The reason commonly given is that the at fault driver didn't see the motorcycle or the motorcyclist was seen too late to prevent the crash. A particularly dangerous situation is where the automobile driver makes a left turn while ignoring the oncoming motorcycle coming through the intersection.

A motorcycle rider who doesn't wear a helmet will often suffer more serious injuries, particularly to the face and head, even in an accident that is relatively minor. Closed head injuries and brain injuries often are found in motorcycle accident victims, leading to long term lifestyle changes and potentially permanent disabilities at some level. Broken bones are another common injury to motorcycle accident victims. Broken arms, legs, neck or back happen repeatedly, because there is no way to protect riders from impact with the road or roadside objects at a high rate of speed when the rider is thrown from the bike.

Road rash can be partially prevented in many cases by wearing good quality protective clothing, but even the best garments won't survive a long distance abrasion with the surface of the road at high speed. This type of injury is compounded when dirt and gravel are embedded in the surface layers of the skin. The abrasion itself generates enough heat to burn the skin tissue.

Paralysis of one or more limbs can result from spinal cord injuries. This damage may last for a relatively short time or may be permanent, requiring lifelong care for the victim.

Whatever degree of injury is incurred during the motorcycle accident, it is important to retain the services of a knowledgeable attorney as soon as possible following the accident. The attorney takes on the role of mediator and mentor for the victim and the family of the victim so that wise decisions are made looking to the long term benefits.

The attorney may provide an investigation of the accident scene to determine what outside factors, if any, caused the accident and whether other drivers or road conditions had a role in the accident. This information will also be helpful in negotiating an adequate settlement or in the event of litigation.
Compensation through negotiated insurance settlement or trial - We have succeeded on behalf of motorcycle accident victims in obtaining damages for:

Medical expenses
All future medical care, including personal care for brain injury, surgery, physical therapy, skin grafts and other treatment
Loss of wages and replacement of future earnings
Reduced quality of life
Pain and suffering

In fatal motorcycle accidents, we help families recover wrongful death damages for medical and funeral expenses, lost income of the loved one, and loss of consortium with that person who was so important in their lives.

Staying Safe

Although other drivers are often at fault, motorcycle riders can take precautions to reduce the chance of accident and injury. At Gary Martin Hays & Associates, we encourage all motorcycle drivers to take specialized motorcycle safety courses, wear helmets, and require their passengers to wear helmets.

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