While motorcycles are often viewed as highly dangerous, many riders are very knowledgeable about road safety. Accidents are often caused by negligent drivers in cars, not motorcycle riders.
Many motorcycle accidents result from drivers committing traffic violations or missing riders in their blind spots. Many others are related to inattentional blindness, which is the strange way that drivers seem not to see motorcycle riders right before their eyes. An experienced attorney can help you assess injuries and damages to maximize compensation. They should also help you find evidence to prepare your lawsuit. It is a good idea to talk to a lawyer soon, as the deadline to file your claims might be coming up fast. A lawsuit might help you if insurance claims do not turn out as you had hoped, or simply because you want justice in a court of law.
If you were hurt in a crash, our motorcycle accident lawyers at Howe Law can meet with you for a free case review if you call us at (844) 876-4357.
How Negligent Drivers Cause Motorcycle Accidents in Marietta, GA
Common traffic violations might include running red lights, turning without signaling, or driving recklessly. These kinds of violations happen every day, and accidents are common. Motorcycle accidents tend to be severe when traffic violations are involved. Since riders are not protected by an enclosed vehicle, they are more vulnerable to serious injuries. Traffic violations that might cause a minor car accident could lead to a major motorcycle crash.
Many motorcycle riders are frustrated by the fact that drivers often seem to ignore them. This might be rooted in what is referred to as inattentional blindness. This means that people often ignore or fail to notice things they are not expecting. Drivers often do not think about motorcycles on the road, so they tend not to notice them even when they are clearly visible. As a result, motorcycle riders are injured by inattentive drivers.
Alternatively, there might be times when motorcycles really are invisible to drivers. Since motorcycles are smaller vehicles, they are more easily concealed in blind spots. This is a big reason why drivers need to check blind spots before changing lanes or turning. They might crash into an unsuspecting motorcycle rider.
Find a Lawyer Who Can Help You Sue for Damages After a Motorcycle Accident in Marietta, GA
After a motorcycle crash, you might be left with severe injuries, expensive costs, and debilitating trauma. Handling your case alone while recovering from your injuries might be extremely difficult. An experienced lawyer can help you prepare your case and fight for the compensation you deserve.
Evaluating Your Damages
To begin your case, our motorcycle accident attorneys can evaluate your injuries and losses. Many of these losses will likely be related to money. For example, medical bills and repairing your motorcycle might be very costly. Other damages are not related to money but are based on things like emotional distress, trauma, and suffering after the accident.
One of the most challenging aspects of evaluating damages is making sure all your losses and injuries are accounted for. While many injured plaintiffs tend to focus on monetary losses, damages for pain and suffering are sometimes overlooked simply because they do not technically cost money. Leaving out damages will only reduce your potential compensation. A lawyer should have the skills and experience necessary to identify all your damages.
Finding Evidence
We might first look for evidence from the scene of the crash. Did you or someone else take photos after the crash? This is a common practice as people often use these photos for insurance claims. They might also be used as evidence in a lawsuit if they contain important details.
We should also try to find video footage from security cameras, traffic cameras, or dashcams. Video footage of the crash can be very powerful if it exists. The problem is that footage is often deleted after a few days or weeks. As such, we must act quickly.
Witnesses can testify about firsthand knowledge regarding the accident. Some witnesses might have seen the accident happen in front of them. Others might have personal knowledge related to the defendant’s behavior or other circumstances surrounding the crash.
Preparing Your Lawsuit
Understanding the extent of your damages and finding evidence to support your claims for those damages is only half the battle. You must prepare your lawsuit in a way that convinces the jury to believe your evidence and find the defendant liable. Remember, the jury is free to reject your evidence for whatever reason.
This is where the skills and experience of a lawyer become truly important. Your lawyer should know how to apply the facts of the case to the law involved in your claims and make the jury believe your claims. Strong evidence is important, but you also need persuasive arguments.
When to Consider Filing an Injury Lawsuit After a Motorcycle Accident in Marietta, GA
The statute of limitations for personal injury claims in Georgia is found under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33 and sets a deadline of only 3 years. The deadline to file your case begins to run starting the day of the motorcycle accident. While 3 years might sound like a long time to begin a lawsuit, it can be a surprisingly tight timeline.
Many plaintiffs do not even contact an attorney for several months. Injured victims often try to get compensation through insurance claims first, only contacting an attorney when insurance does not pan out as hoped.
Once you contact an attorney, you might spend several more months or longer preparing the case. You must locate evidence, find witnesses, evaluate damages, and prepare effective legal arguments and strategies. It is a time-consuming process, and the sooner you get started, the better.
There are many good reasons why you should sue for damages. First, you likely have significant costs to cover. You should not have to go into debt because another person was negligent.
You should also sue because you want and deserve justice. Many negligent drivers face little to no consequences for causing accidents. Criminal charges might not apply, and a civil lawsuit might be the only way of obtaining legal justice.
Reach Out to Our Marietta, GA Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Now
Contact our motorcycle accident lawyers at Howe Law to arrange a free case review by calling our offices at (844) 876-4357.
