The fallout of a motorcycle accidents is often disastrous for victims in Union City, entitling them to compensation by way of suing negligent drivers. Our lawyers can help you navigate this process so that you claim the damages you deserve.
Motorcycle accidents are dangerous for many reasons, one being the fact that these vehicles do not have the same safety features of cars, like seat belts and airbags. More specifically to Union City, motorcycle accidents in this area have the potential to be severe when they happen on local highways, like I-85, which tourists might take when driving to or from nearby Atlanta. Regardless of the cause or location of the accident, get medical attention right away. Injuries sustained in these accidents often include broken bones, lacerations, and contusions, among other severe injuries like head, back, and neck injuries. To document your injuries, you must get immediate and long-term medical treatment. This can help you prove fault, which will be of the utmost importance for injured motorcyclists, who might be unfairly impacted by Georgia’s comparative fault laws.
To discuss your case for free with our Union City, GA motorcycle accident lawyers, you can call Howe Law now at (844) 876-4357.
Why Are Motorcycle Accidents in Union City, GA Dangerous?
Various factors might make motorcycle accidents more dangerous than other vehicle collisions in Union City. For example, the fact that motorcyclists are more exposed than drivers makes them more vulnerable to injury.
Located in Fulton County, GA, Union City is a relatively small area with a more rural feel than urban. That said, several popular highways and interstates run through Union City, like Route 22 and I-85, which travelers or tourists might take when driving to or from Atlanta, which is just northeast of Union City. Highways are common locations for motorcycle accidents. Negligent drivers operating their vehicles too fast might fail to see motorcyclists, especially when merging or changing lanes.
Then there are the back roads of Union City, which, just like anywhere else, might not always be in the best condition. Poor lighting, potholes, and other imperfections in the road could cause a motorcyclist to lose control of their bike and become injured.
Motorcycles themselves are inherently dangerous as they lack the many safety features of passenger cars, trucks, and other vehicles. They do not have crumple zones to absorb an impact, seat belts to restrain a rider, or airbags to protect a rider from sustaining more serious injuries.
According to O.C.G.A. § 40-6-315(a), all motorcyclists are required to wear helmets in Georgia. While wearing a helmet is important for head protection, it cannot prevent all injuries, including some head injuries. For example, the fact that you were wearing a helmet at the time of an accident will not prevent you from sustaining a broken leg. On top of helmets, motorcyclists should wear protective jackets, pants, shoes, and eyewear to reduce the risk of injury.
Medical Treatment for Motorcycle Accident Injuries in Union City, GA
Medical treatment is often necessary for victims of motorcycle accidents in Union City. Having a complete medical record detailing your injuries can allow you to recover the compensatory damages you require from a negligent driver.
All motorcyclists involved in accidents should immediately go to the closest hospital in Union City. Even if you appear only slightly injured, you might need emergency care. For example, cuts and lacerations, though often seen as minor, could become infected if not treated. Other injuries, like soft tissue injuries, might worsen significantly if not assessed by medical professionals. More serious injuries, like internal injuries, might require emergency surgery.
Going to the hospital and receiving immediate treatment will result in medical records our motorcycle accident lawyers can use in your case. Furthermore, doing this can allow you to get referrals for specialists who might be necessary to treat your injuries, like neurologists, surgeons, chiropractors, physical therapists, or others.
Because motorcycle accident injuries are often so serious, victims might get discouraged by the sheer amount of treatment they need. While that is understandable, it is important to have no gaps in your medical treatment. If there were periods when you did not follow your treatment plan or failed to maintain appointments with medical professionals, the defendant in your case might point to that as a reason to undermine your claim.
Can Motorcyclists Share Fault for Accidents in Union City, GA?
In Union City, a plaintiff’s involvement in a motorcycle crash might be scrutinized. Because of this, it is important for victims to have a grasp of Georgia’s comparative fault laws.
Many unfair stereotypes surround motorcyclists, one being that they might act more recklessly than other drivers. Some defendants might try to use these presumptions against victims and take advantage of Georgia’s comparative fault laws, which can lower a victim’s recovery based on their own negligence.
According to O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33, victims can be blocked from recovery when they are more to blame for an accident than other involved parties. Furthermore, even if victims can sue because they are less to blame for a crash, their percentage of negligence will be factored into their awards. For example, suppose the jury finds you to be 30% at fault for the accident and your injuries. In that case, your award would be lowered by 30%, meaning the defendant would only be responsible for compensating you for 70% of your total damages.
Our lawyers will prioritize evidence collection in the early stages of your case to prevent these laws from negatively affecting your claim. This will involve interviewing eyewitnesses, reviewing pictures from the scene, obtaining surveillance camera footage, and analyzing the police report for your accident in Union City.
Call Our Lawyers in Union City, GA About Your Motorcycle Injury Case
Call (844) 876-4357 for a free case assessment from the Atlanta accident lawyers of Howe Law.
