Motorcycle riders often get a bad reputation for being unsafe on the road. In reality, many motorcycle crashes are caused by negligent drivers in cars, not riders.
A lawyer can help you take legal action and file a claim for damages after a motorcycle crash. Your case might be complex and time-consuming, and a lawyer can help you while you focus on recovering. Fair compensation may differ between plaintiffs, but it should always account for all your financial losses and emotional pain. Your time to take action is limited, and the law in Georgia typically allows plaintiffs only 2 years to file a claim. If you are involved in a motorcycle collision, you should call for emergency assistance immediately, gather any evidence you can, and contact an attorney for help.
Call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 and schedule a free initial review of your claims with our Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyers.
How an Attorney Can Help You After a Motorcycle Accident in Rome, GA
A lawyer can help you get your case off the ground by going over your legal options. After a motorcycle crash, an injured rider might have quite a few options for how they want to get fair compensation. While many riders file insurance claims to start, they might find the insurance process insufficient to meet their needs. In such cases, a lawyer can help you file a lawsuit against the other driver or try to work out a private settlement agreement.
Once you know what direction you want to go in, your lawyer can help you assess your damages. Damages should account for all the things you lost or endured because of the accident. This includes monetary costs and painful personal experiences. Knowing the worth of your damages is extremely important, as you need to know what kind of compensation you are entitled to.
Whatever legal option you decide to go with, there will undoubtedly be some complex legal procedures to maneuver through. Whether you file an insurance claim, a lawsuit, or reach a settlement, there are legal rules to consider. If the rules are not strictly followed, you might be in trouble. A lawyer should have the experience and knowledge to navigate these processes smoothly and efficiently.
What is Fair Compensation for a Motorcycle Crash in Rome, GA?
The goal for many motorcycle accident victims is to get fair financial compensation to cover the costs of things like medical bills and a replacement bike. Determining what exactly is “fair” compensation is tricky and unique to each case. Discuss your damages with an experienced attorney to make sure you do not miss out on any compensation.
Economic losses are a major driving factor in many accident cases. Motorcycle accidents are known for leaving riders severely injured. Severe injuries usually require expensive medical treatment. The more serious your injuries are, the longer you might be in the hospital, and the more expensive your medical bills may be. Our motorcycle accident attorneys can also estimate the cost of future medical care if your treatment is ongoing or expected to be long-term.
Non-economic injuries might not involve a monetary cost, but they often take a huge mental and emotional toll on the plaintiff. Injured motorcycle riders often deal with a lot of pain. Not only should they be compensated for their physical pain, but also the mental anguish that comes with it. For those living with permanent injuries or disabilities, non-economic damages should be awarded for the undoubtedly serious emotional trauma.
There are no caps on economic or non-economic damages in Georgia, at least not by statute. While the law does not limit these damages, they are not exactly unrestricted. First, economic damages are limited only to actual costs and expenses. If you spent $25,000 on medical bills, you can recover no more than that for your medical damages. Similarly, your non-economic damages may be high but should be proportional to the overall case. The judge may reduce excessive damages.
When You Must File a Claim for a Motorcycle Collision in Rome, GA
It is understandable for plaintiffs to take some time to think about whether they want to take legal action and recover from painful injuries after a motorcycle crash. However, you should avoid taking too long, as there is a deadline by which you must file your case. You might lose your right to demand compensation if you miss the deadline.
Under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33, you only have 2 years to file a personal injury claim, which includes claims for injuries from motorcycle accidents. The deadline begins counting down on the day of the accident. Considering how long it might take to recover and the time you take to mull over your legal options, this is a very tight deadline.
If the deadline has expired or is quickly approaching, talk to your lawyer about the possibility of having the statute of limitations tolled. Tolling may be possible under very limited circumstances and could buy you extra time to file your claims.
Often, plaintiffs who were minors when they were injured may have the statute of limitations tolled under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-90(b). instead of having 2 years from the date of the accident to file, they would have 2 years from the date they turn 18.
Under O.C.G.A. § 9-3-91, a plaintiff might have the statute of limitations tolled if a disability accrued after the accident that prevents them from filing the case. The disability might be a physical or medical condition. It might instead be a mental condition that prevents the plaintiff from understanding their legal rights. Usually, the statute of limitations may be tolled until the disability ceases.
There might be other reasons to have the deadline tolled, and you should definitely ask your attorney about it.
Give Our Rome, GA Motorcycle Accident Lawyers a Call if You Were Involved in a Crash
Call Howe Law at (844) 876-4357 and schedule a free, private assessment of your claims with our motorcycle accident attorneys.
