Motorcycle accidents can take a heavy toll on riders involved in an accident. Motorcyclists often suffer serious injuries in car accidents, including broken bones, road rash, or even death.
Fortunately, a Columbus motorcycle accident lawyer can help you hold the negligent driver accountable. The negligence of drivers on the road knows no bounds. There are countless ways drivers cause accidents with motorcyclists, often leaving the victim with life-altering injuries. Even if you believe you contributed to causing the accident, there is still a likelihood you can recover compensation for your injuries. The damages you could recover in a successful lawsuit will typically be more than what insurance can provide.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident, our Columbus motorcycle accident lawyers could help you by assisting you in your efforts to recover compensation. For a free case consultation, call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Columbus, GA
There is no shortage of ways that negligent drivers can cause motorcycle accidents. Most motorcyclists exercise extreme caution while riding, but some accidents occur in the blink of an eye, leaving no reaction time for a motorcyclist. The following are common causes of motorcycle accidents in Columbia:
- Texting while driving
- Distracted driving
- Sudden stops
- Improper lane changes
- Failure to check blind spots
- failure to yield the right-of-way
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Opening car doors in the rider’s path
- Left-turn accidents
- DUI
- Potholes and dangerous road obstructions
- Defective motorcycle parts
If your accident happened in one of the mentioned ways or any other, you should be compensated for the other driver’s negligence. Our Columbus motorcycle accident lawyers can review the facts of your case to determine the exact cause of the accident and help develop an appropriate legal strategy moving forward.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries Suffered in Columbus, GA
It likely comes as no shock to hear that injuries from a motorcycle accident can be catastrophic. Even a small car can impact with incredible force, which can wreak havoc on a motorcyclist with little protection from a crash. Motorcyclists that can walk away from an accident might still have injuries from making contact with the road. The following are common types of injuries motorcyclists could suffer in a Columbus accident:
- Road rash
- Traumatic brain and head injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Burn injuries
- Rider’s arm
- Dental, eye, and other facial injuries
- Broken bones
- Internal injuries and bleeding
- Amputations
- Nerve and ligament injuries
Even a minor accident can cause serious damage. Our Columbus motorcycle accident lawyers can help you recover the compensation you will need for possibly lengthy medical treatment.
How Fault is Determined in a Columbus, GA Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
It is completely commonplace for insurance adjusters and defense attorneys to argue that your motorcycle accident was completely your fault. They hope the court will agree that motorcyclists are generally reckless and the cause of most accidents. Reality rarely agrees with the argument.
Fortunately, you can still recover compensation even if you were found partially to blame for causing the accident. Georgia’s comparative negligence rule stipulates that a plaintiff’s award will be reduced by the percentage they are found to have contributed to causing the accident. As long as you were found to be less than 50% responsible for the accident, you will still recover damages minus the percentage you were found to be at fault. For instance, if you were found to be 10% at fault for bringing about your injuries after being awarded $100,000 for your damages, you would recover $90,000. However, if you are found exactly 50% or more at fault for a motorcycle accident, you will not be able to recover any amount of compensation. Our Columbus motorcycle accident lawyers can help you determine if any acts in your case could impact your chances of recovery.
Time Limit to File a Columbus, GA Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
In Georgia, the time limit to file a lawsuit for motorcycle accident injuries is known as the statute of limitations. Ga. Code § 9-3-33 allows two years from the date of the accident from an injured motorcyclist to file a lawsuit in Columbus. The statute of limitations is strict. In most cases, if a lawsuit is not filed in time, the court will not entertain the case and will dismiss it.
There are some exceptions, however. Ga. Code § 9-3-73 sets aside a few exceptions for minor children. For children five years or older injured in a motorcycle accident, a lawsuit can be filed on their behalf for up to five years from the date of the accident. If the child was under the age of five at the time of the accident, a motorcycle accident lawsuit can be filed any time after the child turns ten. Our Columbus motorcycle accident lawyers can help you gather the documentation you need to file your lawsuit successfully and on time.
Damages You Could Recover in a Columbus, GA Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit
Motorcyclists injured in a Columbus motorcycle accident could recover a wide range of damages depending on their injuries. Damages a typically divided into two categories, economic and non-economic damages.
Economic Damages
Economic damages see what most people think of when they consider compensation awarded from a court. Economic damages tend to be easier than non-economic damages to calculate since an accurate number can be determined from medical records and other documentation. The following are the economic damages typically awarded in a successful lawsuit:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Lost wages
- Future lost earnings
- Property repair or replacement
Non-Economic Damages
Non-economic damages are more challenging to calculate. This is because these types of damages are based on your subjective experience and the impact your injuries have had on your life. The court can consider a wide range of factors when determining how much non-economic damages to award. The following are some of the common non-economic damages that can be awarded:
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish and emotional stress
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Loss of consortium
Our Columbus motorcycle accident lawyers can help answer any questions you might have regarding the kinds of compensation that could be available in your case.
Our Columbus, GA Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Help
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident caused by another driver’s negligence, our Columbus motorcycle accident lawyers can help you hold them accountable. Contact Howe Law today at (844) 876-4357 for a free case review.
