Athens Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Photo of Person Riding Motorcycle on Road Between Trees

Motorcyclists are at a serious disadvantage when driving on highways among cars and trucks of all sizes. While some states have begun to enforce safety laws to protect bikers, shared responsibility is yet to be widely practiced. The State of Georgia has passed laws to help decrease the risk of motorcycle accidents in Athens.

Cars provide extra cushioning in the event of a wreck through airbags, seatbelts, and even the frame of the vehicle. Bikers do not have any of these protections. As such, motorcycle accidents on Athens’ roads, highways, and side streets have a higher possibility of being fatal. Even if the accident is not fatal, injuries sustained can lead to paralysis, locked-in syndrome, amputations, and long-term comas.

Of course, injuries are not the only concern. After a motorcycle accident, you may have to miss work, which can cause bills – including medical expenses – to pile up. If you were injured in a motorcycle crash due to someone else’s actions or negligence, contact an attorney at Scholle Law.

With over $1,550,000 recovered in motorcycle accidents for clients, Charles Scholle and the expert team at Scholle Law knows what it takes to help you get the compensation you deserve. Call us at (866) 592-1296 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with an Athens motorcycle accident lawyer today

Do I Need an Attorney for My Motorcycle Accident?

todd shugart meeting with a client

Hiring a skilled personal injury attorney is highly recommended for any injury accident, especially one involving a motorcycle. Because motorcyclists are not surrounded by automotive glass, bumpers, fenders, airbags, and sidewalls, they are more susceptible to injury and death.

When a larger vehicle collides with a motorcycle, the impact can throw the rider off their bike and result in very serious injuries. These injuries can involve a lengthy recovery timeline, mind-boggling medical expenses, and often result in time away from work.

Even in accidents involving no other vehicles where it appears you are at fault, there may be extenuating circumstances in which others may be held partially liable. For example, the roadway may not be properly maintained, or there may be a severe manufacturing defect in the bike itself.

Unfortunately, even in cases of severe injury, insurance companies will try to pay as little as possible to settle the claim. Trying to negotiate with the insurance company on your own will almost always result in a settlement that is grossly insufficient. An experienced Athens motorcycle accident attorney knows how to deal with insurance companies, when to settle, and when to litigate, all to make sure you receive every dollar you deserve. Even the courts will look more favorably on a plaintiff who has legal representation than those who try to represent themselves.

Elements of a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit

When we file a personal injury claim in a motorcycle accident case, our objective is to prove that the other party was negligent and that their negligence was a key factor in your injury. In most cases, the lawsuit will be against the other driver, but in certain cases, other parties may have been negligent (e.g., the motorcycle manufacturer, the other driver’s employer, etc.).

To prove negligence, the lawsuit must effectively demonstrate the following elements:

  1. That the other party had a reasonable duty of care toward you as the motorcyclist;
  2. That the other party failed to provide reasonable duty of care due to negligence;
  3. That you were injured as a result of that negligence; AND
  4. That you suffered loss as a result of the accident (with details as to what you lost).

What damages can I claim in a motorcycle accident lawsuit?

Victim of motorcycle accidentThe damages you have suffered in your motorcycle accident likely extend well beyond the injuries themselves. The fallout from the accident may continue to impact you and your family for years to come. For that reason, you may be able to include damages on multiple fronts in your lawsuit.

Compensatory damages for personal injury accidents are categorized into two categories: economic and non-economic.

Economic

Economic damages refer to specific costs incurred due to your motorcycle accident, including medical expenses (past and future), personal property damage, lost wages, loss of future earning capacity, etc. Economic damages are the easiest to collect because we can track and document the actual costs of your accident and your recovery process.

Non-economic

Non-economic damages refer to the other ways the motorcycle accident changes your life for the worse besides financial loss. These may include:

  • Pain and suffering
  • Mental anguish
  • Loss of enjoyment
  • Loss of consortium (e.g., if the injury affects your relationships)
  • Reduced quality of life

These damages are intangible, making them more difficult to translate to a specific dollar amount. Therefore, these damages are the ones most likely to be countered and negotiated. Attorneys use several different formulas to calculate these damages.

The more skilled and experienced your motorcycle accident attorney is, the more likely you are to receive the maximum amounts for these damages in your settlement.

Speak to an Athens Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today

Despite how passenger vehicle drivers may feel, motorcyclists have every right to share the road. Unfortunately, too many drivers either do not pay attention when there are bikers around – or they may even take direct action to injure a biker. No matter the situation, if you have been injured in a motorbike accident due to someone else’s actions or negligence, you may be entitled to compensation.

With over $1,550,000 recovered in motorcycle accidents for clients, Charles Scholle and the expert team at Scholle Law knows what it takes to help you get the compensation you deserve. Call us at (866) 592-1296 or contact us online for a free, no-obligation consultation with an Athens motorcycle accident lawyer today.