Motorcycle accidents in Valdosta can be extremely severe. Motorcycles offer little protection from other vehicles on the road, and the injuries from an accident can be serious and even fatal. Injured motorcyclists are often left facing growing medical bills and lost wages and might not know how to be compensated.
An experienced Valdosta motorcycle accident lawyer could help you choose the best way to move forward after a negligent driver has injured you. Several roads in Valdosta are particularly dangerous to motorcyclists. Proving a motorcycle accident lawsuit after being injured can be challenging, and insurance companies will try to blame you for negligently causing the accident.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident caused by a negligent driver, our Valdosta motorcycle accident lawyers can help you get the justice you deserve. For a free case review, contact Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
Common Types of Injuries Caused by a Motorcycle Accident in Valdosta, GA
Motorcycle accidents can happen in many ways, but certain injuries are more common than others. The types of injuries a motorcyclist might suffer can be devasting and often require extensive medical treatment. The following are the most common injuries you could sustain in a motorcycle accident in Valdosta:
- Traumatic brain and head injuries
- Spinal cord and back injuries
- Road rash
- Facial and dental injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal bleeding
- Nerve and ligament injuries
- PTSD, depression, and other mental health issues after an accident
Other injuries can occur depending on how the motorcycle accident happened. Our Valdosta motorcycle accident lawyers can help you get the compensation you need for the injuries another driver’s negligence caused.
Dangerous Roads and Intersections Where Motorcycle Accidents Occur in Valdosta, GA
Valdosta is a beautiful part of Georgia, but some roads and intersections are especially dangerous to motorcyclists traveling within the area. However, intersections are the most hazardous places, where motorcycle accidents are likely to occur. Distracted drivers and the low visibility of motorcycles can contribute to devasting accidents at intersections.
North Valdosta Road seems to be the most dangerous of all the roads in Valdosta. Four of the ten most hazardous intersections are along North Valdosta Road. From 2016-2020, North Valdosta Road at the intersection of Val Del Road was the intersection with the most accidents in the county. North Valdosta Road also intersects with Interstate-75, which is another accident-prone area due to the higher volume of traffic.
The intersection with the most accidents in the city of Valdosta was North Valdosta Road and Country Club Drive, with 207 crashes between 2016-2020. Another dangerous intersection is Lakes Boulevard and Mill Store Road. This intersection also sits close to I-75, which can present extra dangers during rush hour from the change in the speed limit for those leaving the interstate.
The intersection at Cat Creek Road and Ga. 122 presents hidden dangers to even the most attentive motorcyclist. The visibility to a motorcyclist’s left is reduced at this intersection because the road sits on a hill. Motorcyclists should take extra care and make multiple checks for cars before crossing the intersection of Cat Creek Road and Ga. 122. Regardless of what road you were injured on in Valdosta, our Valdosta motorcycle accident lawyers can help you recover the compensation you are owed.
Comparative Negligence and Fault in a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Valdosta, GA
Unfortunately, some assume that the motorcyclist is responsible or partially responsible for causing a motorcycle accident. The truth is that motorcyclists are usually victims of another driver’s negligence. However, during litigation and a potential trial, insurance companies and defense attorneys will do everything they can to place the blame squarely on you for causing the accident. It is important to understand how your actions before and during the accident could be distorted by the negligent driver’s representative.
Important evidence could help prove that the other driver was completely at fault. Police reports from the crash, EMS transport reports, and ER records will be crucial pieces of evidence to establish that the other driver was negligent. A Valdosta motorcycle accident lawyer will need this evidence to prove that the other driver failed to use reasonable care when they caused the accident. This can be shown if the negligent driver was ticketed for the accident as a police citation will list the particular violation a driver committed that caused the motorcycle accident. Your testimony and witnesses testifying for your case will also be vital to show the court that the defendant’s negligence caused your injuries.
Even if you were found by the court to have contributed to causing the accident, you could still recover some compensation for your injuries. Under Georgia’s comparative negligence rule, your award will be reduced by the percentage the court finds you contributed to causing the accident. If you were found to be less than 50% responsible for the accident, you could still recover a percentage of your damages. For example, if you were awarded $100,000 for your damages but the court found you to be 25% liable for the accident that caused your injuries, your award will be reduced to $75,000. You would be responsible for the remaining $25,000 of your damages. Our Valdosta motorcycle accident lawyers can help you craft the right legal strategy to show that the other driver’s negligence was the sole cause of your injuries.
Statute of Limitations to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Valdosta, GA
The Georgia statute of limitations is the deadline to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit in Valdosta. According to Ga. Code § 9-3-33, an injured motorcyclist will have two years from the date of the accident to file their lawsuit. The deadline is strict, so starting the litigation process as soon as possible could prevent your case from ultimately being dismissed. Our Valdosta motorcycle accident lawyers can help you file your motorcycle accident lawsuit before the two-year window closes.
Our Valdosta, GA Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Help
If you were injured because of a motorcycle accident in Valdosta, seek help from our dedicated Valdosta motorcycle accident lawyers. Call Howe Law today at (844) 876-4357 for a free case evaluation.
