Many Americans across the country elect to ride motorcycles as their main way of getting around because they have superior fuel economy and are more compact than cars. Countless more choose to use motorcycles recreationally because they are just plain fun to ride. Unfortunately, many do not see motorcyclists as responsible people, and this incorrect assumption can be made even worse if there is a motorcycle accident where someone gets injured.
If you were in a motorcycle accident around Evans, GA, our attorneys can help you out. We have experience representing plaintiffs injured in motorcycle accidents, and we are ready to lend that experience to help you win your case. We will leave no stone unturned and fight as hard as we can all the way through the legal process to get you the financial compensation you need following a motorcycle accident.
For a free, no-obligation analysis of your case, call (844) 876-4357 and speak with one of Howe Law’s Augusta, GA motorcycle accident lawyers.
Misconceptions About Motorcycle Riders in Evans, GA Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits
People who ride motorcycles tend to have a reputation as thrill-seekers, risk-takers, and generally lacking a healthy sense of self-preservation. The idea is that motorcyclists want to live free and not follow some of the rules. This could not be farther from the truth. Even the most intimidating-looking motorcycle riders take safety rules and regulations very seriously, and many motorcycle riders are incredibly responsible and diligent in making sure they have access to all possible protections while on the road.
Unfortunately, the risk-taker stereotype associated with motorcycle riders can make its way into a motorcycle accident lawsuit. A clever defense attorney may try to characterize you in this way to the jury, even when that is not the case. Our motorcycle accident lawyers know this and will take steps to make sure that you are treated fairly by the legal system.
Injuries in Evans, GA Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits
Motorcycle accident lawsuits can lead to serious injuries. This is because, even when utilizing state-of-the-art safety features, motorcyclists are just more vulnerable and less protected than people driving cars, trucks, or vans. There are a lot of different injuries a motorcyclist may suffer in an accident, including:
Broken Bones
Broken bones are fairly common in motorcycle accidents because the rider is exposed, and an oncoming vehicle is likely to directly impact the rider. In this way, motorcyclists can be seen as somewhat akin to pedestrians in the type of injuries they may suffer in an accident.
Traumatic Brain Injuries
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is brain damage caused by a hard impact to the head. TBIs have serious consequences. Even a so-called “mild TBI” – more commonly known as a concussion – is anything but. Mild TBIs can cause mood swings, forgetfulness, and sensitivity to light and sound. Moreover, concussions tend to become exponentially worse if you have had one in the past.
More serious TBIs have grave consequences indeed, including the loss of basic motor functions or even eventually leading to death.
Cuts and Puncture Wounds
When two vehicles made of metal hit each other, bits can come off and move at high speed. For this reason, cuts and puncture wounds from warped metal can happen in motorcycle accidents.
Cuts of this nature almost always require stitching to heal. Moreover, cuts to the face may result in permanent scarring or disfigurement, and cuts around the hands, feet, fingers, and toes may remove an appendage.
Puncture wounds, sometimes incorrectly called stab wounds, are much more dangerous and difficult to treat than cuts. This is because holes in the body are harder to stop bleeding and mend shut than wound channels made by cuts. Moreover, an object puncturing only a few inches into the body can hit vital organs and put someone in critical condition.
Burns
Burns can happen in motorcycle accidents in two main ways. First, gasoline is flammable. If the gas tank of your motorcycle or another vehicle involved in the accident ruptures, there is a chance that you can suffer serious burns on your body. Second, skidding across the ground at speed after an accident can result in friction burns, which can be just as serious as burns from a fire.
Helmet Laws in Evans, GA Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits
Georgia is one of 18 states that have a “universal” helmet law. This means that, unlike in other states, motorcycle riders of all ages need to wear a helmet at all times while using their vehicle. This is established under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-315, which requires motorcycle riders to wear approved protective headgear. Such headgear must meet standards set out by the Department of Transportation under 49 CFR § 571.218.
Since it is required by law to wear a helmet in Georgia, it can be considered negligence if you were not wearing a helmet when you got in a motorcycle accident. However, that does not mean that you are out of options. You can still be quite successful in a motorcycle accident lawsuit and get damages from the defendant if you were not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. Georgia uses a system of comparative fault, detailed in O.G.C.A. § 51-12-33, where a plaintiff’s damages can be reduced based on how much they were responsible for or contributed to an accident taking place. For example, if the plaintiff is 10% at fault for an accident, they will only get 90% of the damages they would have otherwise been awarded.
It is possible that failure to wear a helmet could be seen as contributing to an accident, but our lawyers can work to address that issue and give you the best chance possible in a motorcycle accident lawsuit.
Talk to Our Evans, GA Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Right Away
Howe Law’s motorcycle accident attorneys are only a phone call away and can be reached to discuss your case at (844) 876-4357.
