Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Columbus

Georgia motorcycle accidents frequently result in severe injuries and are often fatal. When someone else causes a motorcycle crash, Georgia personal injury laws allow accident victims to seek money for their financial losses by filing an insurance claim or lawsuit against the at-fault party. However, collecting the compensation you deserve can be complicated by stubborn insurers who will look for any reason to deny or dismiss even the most valid claims.

Did you or a loved one suffer injuries in a motorcycle crash? You should not have to worry about how to pay for your medical expenses when someone else is to blame. An experienced Columbus motorcycle accident lawyer from Bence Law Firm, LLC, will build a strong claim that demands maximum compensation for you.

Our law firm has years of experience delivering top-dollar results for injured Georgians. We understand the painful and devastating impact a motorcycle accident can have on your life. An accomplished personal injury attorney, like those at Bence Law Firm, LLC, has the resources and tenacity to seek full and fair compensation for your losses.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

While no two motorcycle accidents are alike, driver negligence is a contributing factor in most cases. Here are some of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents in Columbus:

Distracted Driving

When drivers focus on text messages or other distractions, they are less likely to detect motorcycles on the roads. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can help you uncover evidence that indicates that a driver was distracted and that it contributed to the accident.

Driving Under the Influence

Those engaging in drunk driving or driving under the influence of drugs may have impaired vision, hand-eye coordination, reaction time, and judgment. Drivers may be tested for alcohol or drugs after an accident, but it is possible for a driver to be impaired even if their BAC is below the legal limit.

Drowsy Driving

Severe fatigue can be just as detrimental as drunkenness. Tired drivers are far more likely to overlook bikers or drift into the paths of nearby motorcyclists. Accidents involving tired drivers may be more common in the evening or overnight hours or on interstates and main highways where drivers may be covering long distances.

Reckless Driving

Drivers who speed, tailgate, and make unsafe lane changes are also more prone to other reckless behaviors that endanger motorcyclists. They may fail to scan the road for bikers properly or fail to allow enough time to react when motorcycles slow or stop. Driving in a reckless manner is considered negligence and can mean that a driver is at fault for the accident.

Driver Error

Inexperienced and irresponsible drivers who fail to yield, run stop signs, disregard traffic signals, and break Georgia laws against texting while driving increase the chances of motorcycle wrecks. Even if the driver wasn’t distracted, they are ultimately responsible for their actions while operating a motor vehicle, including doing everything in their power to avoid an accident.

Faulty Car Parts or Hazardous Road Conditions

Cars and motorcycles with defective parts can lose control if critical components and systems fail in transit. In this case, the driver may be at fault, or it could be a third party, such as a mechanic or a manufacturer.

Hazardous conditions like large potholes, flooding from poor drainage, or missing road signs can contribute to motorcycle crashes. Drivers need to be alert to ensure they are able to identify potential hazards and avoid them before an accident occurs.

What Makes Motorcycle Accident Cases Complicated?

Getting compensation for a motorcycle accident injury in Columbus is not always straightforward. Motorcycle accident cases tend to be more complicated than car accident claims due to the following factors:

More Serious Injuries

Motorcyclists do not have steel vehicle frames, seat belts, or airbags to protect them from the violent forces of a traffic collision. As a result, motorcycle accident cases tend to involve more severe injuries, making resolving the claim harder because victims take longer to heal and require more costly medical care. Common motorcycle accident injuries include:

Traumatic brain injuries
Spinal cord injuries
Broken or crushed bones
Amputations
Burns
Lacerations
Internal injuries

Motorcycle accident victims may also experience mental health issues as a result of the crash, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder.

Lack of Familiarity With Motorcycles

Unless you ride a motorcycle, you probably have little knowledge of the mechanics and technicalities of riding. Motorists may not know that bikers may need more room and time to stop safely. This can make it more difficult to understand how a motorcycle accident occurred. Regardless, drivers are responsible for taking every possible precaution to keep others safe on Georgia roads. When their negligence causes a motorcycle accident, ignorance is not an acceptable excuse for their actions.

Biases Against Motorcycle Riders

Unfortunately, motorcyclists are often subject to cultural prejudices and portrayed as reckless thrill-seekers. Sometimes, people aren’t aware of these biases, but they can be problematic if they impact judges and juries. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can develop a strong legal strategy that takes these subconscious biases into account so that you are not unfairly blamed for your motorcycle crash.

How Long Do You Have to File a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?

Georgia law gives motorcycle accident victims two years to file a personal injury lawsuit in civil court. This two-year period usually begins on the date of the motorcycle accident, which means the clock starts ticking the moment you are injured.

If you wait to file your motorcycle accident case until after the deadline passes, the court will likely dismiss your case. That means you lose your right to demand compensation for your losses. For this reason, it’s critical to start working with a seasoned Columbus motorcycle accident attorney right away. You want to give your lawyer plenty of time to collect evidence and craft the best possible claim for you.

Gathering and Using Evidence to Support Your Claim

To file an insurance injury claim or personal injury lawsuit against the other driver after a motorcycle accident, you must be able to prove they were at fault. Police officers, insurance adjusters, and other investigators use many different types of evidence to determine who was at fault in a motorcycle accident case.

Many important pieces of evidence come from the motorcycle accident scene, including physical damage to the vehicles involved, photos and video footage of the wreck, and eyewitness accounts. Documentation such as medical bills, motorcycle repair invoices, pay stubs, and other receipts can also be useful proof of your financial losses.

Finally, a diligent motorcycle accident lawyer in Columbus may work with expert witnesses, such as accident reconstruction specialists and medical providers, to discuss how the crash happened and how your injuries impact your quality of life. Their testimony can be crucial to proving your case.

What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident

You can protect your legal rights and your ability to recover compensation after a motorcycle accident by following these guidelines:

Seeking Prompt Medical Attention

Get medical care immediately after the wreck to document and treat your injuries. Some serious injuries, such as head injuries, may not be immediately noticeable and can take time to show symptoms, meaning it’s important to get checked out even if you don’t think you’re injured. Make sure you follow through on your doctor’s recommendations.

Gathering as Much Evidence as Possible

Collect all the proof you can, such as photos of the accident scene, your injuries, the police report, information from the other driver, and statements from available witnesses. It’s common to not remember specific details from the accident because of the adrenaline and fight-or-flight reaction from your body, and having other statements and evidence can be of great benefit to your case.

Keeping Track of Accident-Related Documents

Keep all medical bills and copay receipts, motorcycle repair invoices, pay stubs, employment records, and other proof of accident-related financial losses. You’ll need these to determine an accurate amount for your damages.

Watching What You Say to Others or Post Online

If the other side’s insurance company or attorney asks you to provide a recorded statement, politely refuse and direct them to your motorcycle accident lawyer. Similarly, avoid sharing or posting any information on social media while your claim is pending.

Contacting a Motorcycle Accident Attorney

You need trustworthy legal advice before accepting any kind of settlement for your injuries. Contact a well-practiced motorcycle accident attorney in Columbus as soon as possible after an accident. The earlier you get an attorney involved, the better. They can advise you on when to talk to the insurance companies and what to say, as well as start investigating and building a case so that you’re ready to file within the statute of limitations guidelines.

How Our Bike Crash Lawyers Can Help

At Bence Law Firm, LLC, we can help you after a motorcycle accident by:

Evaluating your motorcycle accident claim in a free initial consultation
Investigating the motorcycle accident to identify and preserve valuable evidence, determine the liable party, and develop a strong foundation for your case
Communicating with the other motorist, related insurance companies, and other attorneys on your behalf
Negotiating assertively to maximize the amount of compensation you deserve during settlement talks
Taking your case to trial to demand fair results in court

Put simply, we can give you the legal representation that every motorcycle rider is entitled to by law. We also ensure that you’re able to focus on recovering from your injuries and healing physically and emotionally while we handle all of the legal legwork.

Contact a Columbus Motorcycle Accident Attorney Today

Don’t let insurance companies cheat you out of the money you need after a motorcycle crash. Get a skilled Columbus motorcycle accident lawyer on your side. Contact us today at 334-489-1951 to get started with a free case evaluation from one of our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers.