Villa Rica Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Motorcycle accidents are devastating for bikers. Motorcyclists lack the protection of a steel frame surrounding them like drivers do. So, when they are hit, the collision can result in severe injuries.
After a crash in Villa Rica, it is important that bikers check themselves for injuries and call for the medical help they need. If possible, motorcyclists should also take pictures of the crash scene and gather information from the other driver and any witnesses. It is also important to remove the bike from the road so it does not cause a secondary accident.
Once they have left the scene, bikers should then contact their insurance company and call a Villa Rica motorcycle accident lawyer at Sherrod & Bernard, P.C. We can provide a free consultation about your case and help you to understand and explore all of your options for seeking compensation.
How Can a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Help You?
After a motorcycle crash, you may consider filing a claim on your own. However, this is not recommended. A motorcycle accident lawyer at Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., can take care of every detail while you focus on your recovery. After a crash, we will:
- Explain the law and how it applies to your case
- Investigate the accident scene and collect important evidence
- Determine the cause of the crash
- Deal with the insurance company for you
- Take care of all paperwork
- Gather medical records to prove the damages you sustained
We will demand a full and fair settlement from the insurance company on your behalf – one that addresses the full extent of physical, emotional and financial harm that you have suffered through no fault of your own. If the insurance company challenges liability or the amount that you are due, you can count on Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., to fight for you at trial.
What Makes Motorcycle Accident Cases Different?
Many bikers think that motorcycle accidents are similar to other crashes on the road involving passenger cars. This is not true. In many ways, motorcycle accidents differ from other crashes, including:
- These crashes involve more fatalities and severe injuries – Any auto accident can result in death or severe injury. However, due to the lack of protection bikers have, bikers face an even greater likelihood of suffering severe or even fatal injuries.
- Drivers do not watch for bikers – While drivers of passenger vehicles watch out for other cars, they typically do not watch out for motorcyclists. This lack of attention automatically puts bikers at greater risk when they share the road with other vehicles.
- Motorcycles are more susceptible to hazards on the road – Potholes, debris, and loose gravel pose problems for all drivers. For bikers, however, they can be fatal. Motorcycles are not as stable as other vehicles. So, bikers can easily lose control when they encounter these hazards on the road.
- Insurance companies are biased against bikers – There is still a large misconception that bikers are reckless, dangerous riders. Due to this bias, it will be important to educate the insurance company and jurors about how bikers are just as safe – if not safer – than other motorists on the road.
These differences can make a big difference in an accident case, which is why it is so important that bikers speak to an experienced Villa Rica motorcycle accident lawyer after a crash.
What Are Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
Although just about any negligent act can cause a motorcycle accident in Villa Rica and other areas of Georgia, some causes are more common than others. These causes include:
- Cars turning left in front of motorcycles
- Road hazards and defects
- Dooring
Whatever the cause of a crash involving a motorcycle, bikers are always the ones who are most likely to suffer the most serious injuries in an accident.
How Do You Prove Fault in a Motorcycle Accident?
To be successful with your motorcycle accident claim, you must prove that another driver was negligent, and their negligence caused the crash. Evidence is crucial in order to prove these elements. The most important evidence includes:
- The police report
- Eyewitness statements
- Photographs of the accident scene
- Footage from nearby surveillance cameras
- The biker’s helmet, clothing and bike
- Medical care records
- Receipts for any out-of-pocket expenses associated with the crash such as transportation costs to doctor’s appointments
After suffering serious injuries in a motorcycle crash, many bikers are unable to collect this evidence themselves. A motorcycle attorney at Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., will know which evidence is most important and will gather it to help prove your claim while you focus on getting better.
What Compensation Can You Recover in a Motorcycle Accident Claim?
In a Georgia motorcycle accident claim, you can claim both special and general damages. Special damages have an actual dollar value, while general damages are losses you sustained which do not have a concrete value. The damages you can claim after a motorcycle accident may include:
- Medical care expenses
- Loss of income
- Diminished earning capacity
- Property damage
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of companionship
- Disability or permanent impairment
- Scarring and disfigurement
After reviewing your claim, a lawyer at Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., can determine the full amount of damages in your claim.
How Long Do You Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Georgia?
Georgia, just like all other states, has a statute of limitations that governs motorcycle accident cases. This is the time limit accident victims have to file their claim. In Georgia, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident. If you do not file your claim within this time, the courts will likely dismiss your case and bar you from receiving any compensation at all. Although this sounds like a lot of time, it is not. Prior to filing, a lawyer must conduct a full investigation and collect evidence, which takes time.
Contact Our Villa Rica Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
If you have been injured in a crash, do not wait to speak to one of our motorcycle accident attorneys in Villa Rica. At Sherrod & Bernard, P.C., we understand the difficulties that motorcyclists face when filing a claim, and we also know how to overcome those challenges. Contact us now to schedule your free consultation and learn more about how we can help.
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