Motorcycle riders are often very badly hurt in accidents. Unfortunately, many motorcycle accidents are caused by negligent drivers in cars, trucks, or other vehicles.
Motorcycle crashes can be caused by distractions behind the wheel, changing lanes or turning without signaling, a blatant disregard for motorcycle riders, and other examples of negligence on the road. Your injuries might be severe, possibly even catastrophic. As such, your economic and non-economic damages can be expected to be high. Evidence is the lifeblood of your case, and we can use photos from the scene, witness testimony, and other information found in police reports to assist your case. A qualified attorney will file your case, navigate the insurance process, prepare evidence and witnesses, and evaluate damages.
Call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 to arrange a free case review with our motorcycle accident lawyers to get your case started.
Typical Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Augusta, GA
Contrary to unfair stereotypes, motorcycle riders are not reckless daredevils. In fact, many riders are well aware of the risks of riding a motorcycle and exercise an abundance of caution on the road.
Many motorcycle accidents are actually caused by distracted drivers who do not notice motorcycle riders until it is too late. Common distractions include cell phones, tablets, and other digital communication devices. If the driver who hit you was using such a device, we can use this information to prove that their negligence caused the crash.
Motorcycles are smaller than standard vehicles and can be more easily concealed within a driver’s blind spots. As such, drivers must be careful when changing lanes or turning to avoid hitting motorcycle riders. If a driver fails to signal before hitting you when they turn or change lanes, our motorcycle accident lawyers can help you sue them.
A rather unfortunate cause of motorcycle collisions is a blatant disregard for riders. As many riders know, people on motorcycles have an unfair reputation for being risk-takers and troublemakers. As a result, many other drivers tend to disregard them or assume they are responsible for accidents. Because of this unfair stereotype, many riders are hurt and then unjustly blamed for their injuries.
Injuries and Damages You Can Claim in a Motorcycle Accident Case in Augusta, GA
Motorcycle accidents are known for being dangerous, especially for riders who are not protected within an enclosed vehicle like other drivers. Since riders are so vulnerable and easily thrown from their bikes, injuries tend to be severe. Broken bones, lacerations, and soft-tissue injuries are just the tip of the iceberg. Many riders experience traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, and life-long disabilities after a crash.
Your injuries are directly related to the damages you can claim in a lawsuit. Your economic damages encompass the injuries and losses that cost you money. Your medical bills are likely very high, which should be factored into your total economic damages. Even if you have health insurance, you might have to pay high deductibles, or there might have been expenses your insurance refused to cover. You can also claim the value of your lost income because you could not return to work for a long time and the value of your damaged motorcycle.
Non-economic damages are related to losses and subjective experiences that did not necessarily come at a financial cost. Your mental anguish, physical pain, humiliation, and reduced quality of life may all be accounted for in claims for non-economic damages. Our motorcycle accident lawyers can help you fight for as much compensation as possible, but a jury ultimately decides the value of non-economic damages.
How to Use Evidence to Prove Your Motorcycle Accident Claims in Augusta, GA
Evidence is the lynchpin holding your case together. While having a lot of evidence is ideal, strong cases have been made with limited but powerful evidence. A common thing people often do after motorcycle crashes is taking pictures of the scene. These pictures can save invaluable details and information about the accident that might be lost forever after law enforcement cleans up the scene.
Our motorcycle accident lawyers will also help you look for witnesses who can testify on your behalf. Witness testimony must be based on first-hand knowledge relevant to the accident. Often, eyewitnesses can help back up your claims about how the accident happened, although other witnesses who were not present at the crash might also have valuable personal knowledge about something important.
Police reports are a great tool for finding admissible evidence. These reports are often compiled after the police conduct an investigation, and law enforcement has already found much of the evidence we need. It is important to note that the report is useful for finding evidence but is generally not admissible as evidence itself.
How a Lawyer Can Help You Get Compensation for an Augusta, GA Motorcycle Accident
Our motorcycle accident attorneys will help you take your claims to court by filing a lawsuit. Your lawsuit begins with a formal complaint filed in the appropriate court. First, the complaint must state with specificity the details of the crash and why the defendant should be held liable. If more information is needed, the court might reject the claim. Second, the complaint must be filed with the right court. If the case is filed in a court without proper jurisdiction, the final ruling might be invalid, and we would have to start over.
Our legal team can also help you prepare evidence and witnesses for the trial. Having these tools at our disposal is one thing; putting them to use is quite another. Our lawyers are familiar with how to strategize and use the law to our advantage, so we can make sure evidence and witness testimony is as powerful and persuasive as possible.
Our attorneys can assist you with assessing damages. Your damages, as discussed earlier, are the basis of your compensation. Accurately assessing and calculating damages can help us make sure you get the maximum compensation possible.
Contact Our Augusta, GA Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
Call our motorcycle accident lawyers at Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 for a free case review.
