Nearly 5,000 people lost their lives in motorcycle accidents in the United States in 2018, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). While motorcycles only make up three percent of motor vehicles on the road, they account for 14 percent of all traffic related fatalities. Motorcycles have less protection than other vehicles and may be harder to see. According to the NHTSA, motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die in a traffic crash than other vehicle drivers.
If you were involved in a motorcycle accident in Roswell, Georgia, you may be entitled to compensation for your damages. Georgia is a fault-based state, so if you can prove that someone else’s actions caused an accident that led to you suffering harm or losses, you can pursue a personal injury claim. A Roswell motorcycle accident lawyer can help. Consider contacting the team from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers at (404) 888-8888 to learn more about motorcycle injuries, coverage, and litigation.
Motorcycle Accidents and Liability
Driver inexperience, poor road conditions, the negligent actions of other drivers, or a combination of all three can cause or indirectly contribute to an accident. Other factors may also be involved, such as poor vehicle maintenance or the reckless behavior of road users, including the motorcyclist.
Some more common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Driver negligence, such as aggressive, reckless, or distracted driving, as well as speeding, driving while drowsy, or breaking safe driving rules.
- Mistakes made by other vehicle operators who do not know the rules of the road when it comes to motorcycles.
- Driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol that can interfere with a driver’s control, reaction times, or general state of mind.
- Poor weather, poor lighting, or dangerous road conditions, including slick or damaged roads, road clutter, a lack of proper signage, or narrow lanes.
- Accidents on roads that do not have a median or a separating barrier between vehicles traveling in opposite directions.
- Sudden changes in road conditions, or sudden actions on the part of the motorcyclist such as overcorrecting or misjudging safe turning distances.
- Driver inexperience or unfamiliarity with an area.
- Vehicle malfunctions such as tire blowouts, faulty brakes, or a loss of traction.
After an accident, it is important to determine who is at fault for the accident, and thus who can be sued for damages arising from the at-fault party’s recklessness or negligence.
These questions depend on how the accident occurred. For example, it might be easy to find a speeding motorcyclist who does not have proper licensing at fault if he or she caused an accident. However, if a motorcyclist who was following posted road signs and was driving carefully hit a pothole, a local town or city municipality may be liable for the accident.
Some potential at-fault parties involved with motorcycle accidents could include:
- A negligent driver, either the motorcyclist or another road user.
- A maintenance or service team, including road construction and vehicle maintenance.
- A commercial entity such as a trucking company if it can be proven that poor hiring practices or training allowed an unqualified driver to get behind the wheel of a vehicle.
There may be other entities on top of these who could shoulder some of the blame for your motorcycle accident. A Roswell motorcycle accident lawyer can help you identify the at-fault parties relevant to your case. Call the team from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers at (404) 888-8888 to find out more through a free consultation.
For a free legal consultation with a motorcycle accidents lawyer serving Roswell, call (404) 888-8888
Roswell Motorcycle Accidents FAQs
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Motorcycle accidents can result in death, especially if the rider does not have proper protective gear. Even when protective gear is worn, collisions – especially frontal collisions – are often fatal. For nonfatal accidents, motorcyclists may suffer a number of different injuries in various degrees. Some of these include:
- Trauma to the head, neck, brain, or spinal cord
- Broken or fractured bones or crushed limbs
- Cuts, bruises, or puncture wounds
- Amputations, lacerations, or paralysis
- Damage to internal organs
- Damage to the eyes, ears, or mouth
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that motorcycle accidents cause about $12 billion worth of damages every year. Many of these damages are in forms that directly impact the rider, such as lost wages, medical care costs, vehicle damage, and higher insurance premiums.
The story does not end with lost income or financial damages, however. Accidents may impact the families of victims beyond finances. Many motorcycle accident injuries are permanent, and victims could be faced with the pain and suffering of long-term rehabilitation, surgeries, or the loss of companionship and consortium of a loved one in the case of wrongful deaths.
Roswell Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Near Me (404) 888-8888
Motorcycle Accident Coverage
Compensation for damages incurred through a motorcycle accident could depend on the kind of insurance coverage carried by you and other parties involved in the accident. These policies typically include:
- Personal liability coverage
- Passenger liability policy
- Collision insurance
- Uninsured or under-insured accident coverage
An attorney may be able to help you understand the sequence in which different policies kick in, and what caps your policies have for losses of specific types.
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Handling a motorcycle accident claim, gathering evidence, meeting filing deadlines, and negotiating with insurance adjusters can be exhausting. It may also be difficult for you to obtain a police report, prove the extent of your injuries, and handle the other administrative and paperwork aspects of a personal injury lawsuit if you are still recovering. A Roswell motorcycle accident lawyer can help.
Contact the team from Bader Scott Injury Lawyers at (404) 888-8888 for a free consultation. We handle personal injury cases in Roswell, including motorcycle accidents, on a contingency-fee basis. You pay nothing out of pocket for attorney’s fees, and we only get paid if you win your settlement or court case.
Call or text (404) 888-8888 or complete a Free Case Evaluation form