Live to ride another day.
If you or a loved one were involved in a motorcycle accident, our Duluth motorcycle accident attorneys can help secure the best compensation possible for your injury.
Motorcycles are fast, fun and fuel-efficient, making them a great way to get around — whether you’re riding in busy metro Atlanta or along winding rural roads. Unfortunately, motorcycles also carry a much higher risk of serious accidents than other types of vehicles — and often, it’s the driver of the other vehicle who is at fault for the accident.
Most motorcyclists know that intersections are dangerous places where cars and other vehicles often fail to yield to cyclists or fail to see them. 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 result in time away from work.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, or if your loved one has been fatally or catastrophically wounded, the experienced Atlanta motorcycle accident attorneys at Scholle Law are here to help. We advocate tenaciously for our clients who have been injured on their bikes.
Motorcycle crash statistics: injuries and fatalities in Georgia
While there has been a decrease in deadly motorcycle crashes on Georgia’s roadways in recent years, overall fatal crashes are on the rise. On a national scale, Georgia ranks 18th in motorcycle fatalities, with 139 fatal motorcycle crashes reported in 2017 and 126 in 2018. The most common causes of motorcycle accidents are distracted drivers and drivers who fail to see the motorcyclist.
One possible reason why motorcycle fatalities are on the decline is the mandatory use of helmets. Georgia law clearly explains that protective headgear is required and that all helmets must meet the latest DOT standards:
No person shall operate or ride upon a motorcycle unless he or she is wearing protective headgear which complies with standards established by the commissioner of public safety.
– (40-6-315)
Failure to wear a helmet in Georgia by both rider and passenger can result in fines of up to $500 and 1,000 hours of community service. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), riders who wear a helmet are about 37 percent more likely to survive a crash, and helmets are about 67 percent effective in preventing injuries to the brain.
In addition, motorcycle advocacy groups advise riders to wear proper leathers, boots and other protective padding/padded gear. But no amount of safety gear can erase the fact that mile for mile, nationwide, the rate of deaths on motorcycles is significantly higher than the rate of deaths in cars.
In Georgia, you have 2 years to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit, including accidents involving a motorcycle, pedestrian, car, truck or any other motor vehicle. The clock starts ticking from the date of the crash. There are few exceptions to this deadline, which is why it’s important to speak with an experienced attorney near you as soon as possible if you wish to explore your legal options.
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Types of motorcycle crash cases we handle
No two collisions are precisely the same. There are many different types of motorcycle accidents, each of which can cause serious or fatal injuries to riders. A few of the most common types of motorcycle wrecks in Duluth and the greater Atlanta area include:
- Left turn or intersection motorcycle crashes
- Limited visibility motorcycle accidents
- Broadside collision motorcycle accidents
- Unsafe lane change motorcycle crashes
Common motorcycle accident injuries
When a motorcycle and car collide, the motorcyclist is at a far greater risk of suffering serious injury or death. Even when a motorcycle wreck miraculously doesn’t result in wrongful death, it can leave the motorcyclist suffering from catastrophic injuries for the rest of their lives such as brain injuries, spine injuries, multiple fractures, paralysis and organ damage. These injuries might require weeks of hospitalization and cause tremendous pain and suffering. In addition, an injury can cause permanent disability.
Victims dealing with serious injuries such as these are often hit with jaw-dropping 6-figure medical bills, even when they have insurance. This can put severe financial strain on a family that is already reeling from the effects of an accident. And this doesn’t even account for the emotional and psychological toll a serious accident can have on the survivor.
- Traumatic brain injury (TBI) and concussion
- Coma
- Spinal cord injuries and paralysis
- Whiplash and neck injuries
- Internal bleeding and organ damage
- Severe road rash
- Bone fractures
- Leg and foot injuries
- Torso and hip injuries
- Amputation
- Facial scarring and disfigurement
Common causes of motorcycle wrecks
It’s a known fact that motorcycles are smaller and therefore less visible to other road-going vehicles. Coupled with their high-performance/speed capabilities and less protection, riders are more likely to suffer a serious injury when they’re involved in an accident. While many different factors can contribute to a motorcycle accident, among the most prominent are:
- Drunk or distracted drivers
- Reckless and aggressive driving
- Bad weather
- Poor road conditions (potholes, cracks, etc.)
- Animal crossing
- Negligence (by either the motorcycle rider or a vehicle driver)
- Speeding
- Unsafe lane changes and lane splitting
- Defective motorcycle parts
- Vehicle doors
Whatever the cause of your motorcycle accident, our Georgia injury attorneys can represent your best interests and fight for the best possible outcome in your case. We’ll work hard to gather evidence and prove that the other driver is at fault for your wreck — and therefore your damages.
Let our Duluth, GA motorcycle accident attorneys handle the insurance company after a wreck
Sometimes, one of the biggest problems motorcyclists face after an accident is their own insurance carrier. Insurance companies know that some people are prejudiced against motorcyclists and they are willing to exploit this bias to deny an expensive claim, even if that means breaking their own contract with their insured. A motorcyclist might be falsely told the accident was their fault, that their insurance policy doesn’t cover the crash or that failure to wear a helmet means they cannot make a claim.
At Scholle Law, we frequently represent motorcycle crash victims in negotiations with insurance companies and in motorcycle accident lawsuits across the state. With decades of law practice experience, our team understands the most common tactics insurance companies use to dodge their legal responsibilities — and how to counter them. We understand the health, financial and personal difficulties accident victims and their families face, which is why we work diligently to get our clients the best possible financial compensation. Let us concentrate on the legal details so that you can focus on recovering from your injuries and regaining some semblance of normalcy.
Many other law firms don’t pay personal attention to their clients. We are different and value you no matter who you are or where you come from. We promise to skillfully handle your case, keeping you up-to-date on important developments in your case. Our goal is to let our clients focus on getting past the trauma of their injuries and the accident.
But don’t just take our word for it! We invite you to see our client reviews to find out the kind of exceptional service you can expect to receive at Scholle Law. And when you’re ready, reach out to us to take the next step.
Contact us to speak with a lawyer about your accident.
We’re available 24/7 and your first consultation is free.Call 866-972-5287 or send us a message online
