Motorcycle accidents in Athens can be responsible for serious injuries. If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident, you can recover compensation for the harm you suffered.
Our motorcycle accident lawyers have extensive experience handling motorcycle accident cases, whether they involve minor or extreme injuries. Even if you were not wearing a helmet when the accident occurred, you can still pursue compensation for your injuries.
Contact Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 to set up your free case assessment with our motorcycle accident lawyers.
Injuries Commonly Caused by Motorcycle Accidents in Athens, GA
Most motorcycle accidents in Athens are typically caused by car drivers who fail to see riders on the road. The injuries sustained in these accidents can be severe and traumatic, often leaving victims with high medical costs. In the worst cases, even with extensive treatment, victims might never fully recover. Our motorcycle accident attorneys can help you assess your damages and fight to get justice for your injuries.
Spinal Injuries
Spinal cord injuries are among the most serious injuries you can suffer in a motorcycle accident. A spinal cord injury occurs when a rider’s head hits something solid during an accident, such as another vehicle or a tree branch, causing damage to the spine. A spinal cord injury can be life-threatening if not treated immediately after an accident. Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for many of these injuries to cause paralysis and even death.
Head Trauma Injuries
Head injuries can be serious, especially if your helmet doesn’t protect you from your head hitting something hard like pavement or asphalt at high speeds. Head trauma can include injuries like concussions, brain damage, paralysis, or even death.
Broken Bones
One of the most common injuries, even in relatively minor motorcycle accidents, is broken bones. If you are thrown from your bike during an accident, you could sustain fractures or other broken bones when you come into contact with the road or another car.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Arguably as common as broken bones are soft tissue injuries. Soft tissue injuries include damage to tendons, ligaments, and the rider’s muscles. Soft tissue injuries can be extremely painful and typically requires extensive physical therapy to get back to full strength. A victim might need multiple surgeries to repair the soft tissue injury in the most severe cases.
Road Rash
Road rash is another common type of injury that occurs when a motorcycle rider’s skin comes in contact with the road after falling from their bike. Friction between the skin and asphalt can be extremely painful and damaging to multiple layers of skin, especially if the rider was not wearing a jacket or gloves. Road rash injuries can lead to infection and often require skin grafts to repair the damaged skin.
Facial Injuries
Facial injuries often result from an impact on the ground, but they can also be caused by hitting other vehicles. Facial injuries can be serious and often require surgery. For instance, orbital sockets could be broken, causing eye damage, or the jaw could be broken and needs to be reset. Our motorcycle accident lawyers can help you recover the compensation you deserve for the injuries you suffered in your case.
Recovering Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident that You Were Not Wearing a Helmet In
According to the O.C.G.A. § 40-6-315, all motorcycle riders and passengers in Georgia must wear a helmet that complies with the standards established by Georgia’s Commissioner of Public Safety. The good news is that a motorcycle rider not wearing a helmet can still recover compensation in Georgia. However, the fact that you were not wearing a helmet will reduce the award you recover under the legal theory of “comparative negligence.” Under the comparative negligence rule, the plaintiff’s recovery will be reduced by the percentage they contributed to causing the accident and their injuries.
The comparative negligence rule in Georgia is known as the modified comparative fault rule. This means that if a person is found to be 50% or more at fault for the accident or injuries, they are not eligible to receive any compensation for their injuries. If you were not wearing a helmet at the time, it can still be shown that the other driver was more at fault. Our motorcycle accident attorneys can help if you think you contributed to your injuries.
When You Need to File a Motorcycle Accident in Athens, GA
Under Georgia law, O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 sets the statute of limitations to file a lawsuit for a motorcycle accident in Athens. Typically, a victim has two years from the date of the accident to file a lawsuit against a negligent party. It’s important to note that this time frame is shorter than it seems, as gathering evidence and preparing a lawsuit can be challenging if not started relatively soon.
The court strictly adheres to the statute of limitations and will usually dismiss the case if it is not filed within the specified time. Unless your case falls under one of the rare exceptions laid out in Georgia law, you will be prevented from recovering compensation.
One exception is for minor victims of motorcycle accidents. According to O.C.G.A. § 9-3-90, the statute of limitations does not begin to run until the child turns 18 years old. Once the minor victim reaches 18, they will have two years to file a lawsuit against the person responsible for their injuries.
Another exception that might apply in a motorcycle accident case is for victims that cannot file a lawsuit because they are disabled from the accident. It cannot be any kind of disability but one that prevents you from physically being able to file a lawsuit. For instance, if a victim is in a coma after a motorcycle accident, they will not be able to file a lawsuit until they wake from it. Once the victim is deemed competent again, they will have two years from that date to file their case. Our motorcycle accident attorneys can review your case to determine the last day you have to file and ensure that your case is filed promptly.
Our Athens, GA Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Can Help
For a free case review with our motorcycle accident lawyers, call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 today.
