Unfortunately, motorcycle riders face a constant risk of injuries from negligent and reckless drivers. Devastating accidents can leave motorcyclists with overwhelming medical expenses, missing income, and other serious losses. When this happens, you need a trusted Albany motorcycle accident lawyer to fight for the full recovery you deserve.
At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., we understand the stress that a motorcycle accident can put on your life. Our experienced legal team will take on the hard work of investigating your case and battling the insurance companies for the full and fair compensation you need. Our goal is to give you peace of mind so you can focus on your health, not the financial burdens of your crash.
Contact us today for a free case review with a skilled Albany motorcycle accident lawyer. We can start to work on your case with no upfront fees. In fact, you only pay us if we recover money for you.
Why Are Motorcycle Accident Cases More Complicated?
Motorcycle accident cases can quickly become more complicated than other passenger car crash cases for several reasons:
- Motorcycle riders often suffer more serious injuries. Riders are completely exposed to collisions, so they tend to incur more extreme, life-threatening injuries. This means more expensive medical treatment and a longer recovery period. As a result, many injured riders are still undergoing treatment when negotiating a settlement. The rider’s claim will need to include compensation for related future treatment and expenses.
- Liable parties may lack sufficient insurance coverage. If the at-fault driver doesn’t have enough liability insurance to compensate an injured rider fully, the rider might need to turn to his or her own insurer for compensation from uninsured/underinsured motorist coverage.
- At-fault drivers try hard to avoid liability. Unfortunately, drivers and insurance companies sometimes use negative stereotypes about motorcycle riders to try to pin some of the blame for an accident on the injured rider. This makes it necessary to have an experienced lawyer who can establish fault for the crash definitively using every available piece of evidence.
Motorcycle accident cases usually require expert testimony. Most people don’t understand the physics of how a motorcycle crash happens, so an expert witness is often necessary to explain what happened and how it happened.
At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., our Albany motorcycle accident lawyers have decades of experience fighting for the rights of injured riders. We know how to build a strong case on your behalf to ensure that you get the full and fair compensation you need for your injuries.
Why You Need a Lawyer for Your Motorcycle Accident Claim?
A motorcycle accident claim can be complex and time-consuming. But you don’t have to manage it alone. Let an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Albany handle your case so that you can focus on your medical treatment and recovery.
An attorney from the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., can help with your motorcycle accident claim by:
- Investigating the accident thoroughly, including obtaining crash scene evidence, securing accident reports, and interviewing witnesses
- Collaborating with accident reconstruction experts to develop a persuasive case that shows how the wreck occurred and identify the party responsible
- Working with your medical providers to understand the extent of your injuries and determine the compensation you need
- Pursuing your claim with the relevant insurance companies and negotiating aggressively for the maximum settlement possible
- Preparing your case for trial if that’s what is necessary to seek the full payment you deserve
A motorcycle accident lawyer can also help you if you lose a loved one in a motorcycle crash. Our motorcycle accident attorneys can file a wrongful death claim on your behalf and pursue compensation for your loss, including funeral and burial expenses, lost income, and damages for your pain and suffering.
How Is Fault Determined After a Motorcycle Accident?
At the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., our Albany motorcycle accident attorneys use all available evidence to determine how the crash occurred and identify who’s legally responsible. Our motorcycle accident attorneys often track down evidence such as:
- The police crash report
- Accident scene photos
- Vehicle damage reports
- Surveillance, traffic, helmet, or dash camera footage
- Eyewitness statements
- Expert accident reconstruction reports
- Medical records related to your injuries
We also know how insurance companies will use Georgia’s comparative fault law to try to minimize or even deny motorcycle accident claims. This law states that you may not recover compensation from another at-fault party if your share of fault is equal to or greater than their fault. In other words, we must be able to prove that the other driver is at least 51% responsible for your crash.
If you are found to bear some responsibility for the injuries you suffered in the crash, your total compensation could be reduced in proportion to your share of fault. For example, if you incurred $100,000 in losses and are found 25% responsible for the accident, your compensation could be reduced by $25,000.
Understanding Motorcycle Crash Compensation in Albany: What’s Possible?
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Albany, you might be entitled to recover compensation from the driver or party responsible. A settlement or judgment could include money for:
- Medical bills and related expenses, such as medical and mobility equipment
- Long-term care expenses, such as home health services and home maintenance services
- Lost wages and income
- Lost the ability to work
- Reduced life expectancy or quality of life due to disabilities, significant scarring, or disfigurement
- Physical pain and emotional distress
- Repair or replacement of your motorcycle
All too often, motorcycle accidents prove fatal for riders. The surviving families of bikers killed in crashes might be entitled to recover compensation for:
- Loss of the deceased person’s future expected earning and financial contributions to the family
- Loss of the deceased person’s care, companionship, and guidance
- Medical expenses related to the fatal crash injuries
- Funeral and burial expenses
- Pain and suffering experienced by the deceased person
Understanding Georgia Motorcycle Laws
Georgia has a universal helmet law. That means that all people riding a motorcycle in Georgia must wear a helmet that complies with U.S. DOT safety standards. All operators and riders must also wear approved eye protection, such as goggles or a face shield if their motorcycle lacks a windshield.
Motorcycles may only carry passengers if they’re equipped with a manufacturer-installed passenger seat or a saddle and separate footrests for the passenger.
Other drivers must allow motorcycles the full width of traffic lanes. No vehicle may share a lane with a motorcycle, but two motorcycles may ride side-by-side. Motorcyclists may not pass another vehicle in the same traffic lane, ride on road lines, or ride between lanes of vehicles.
Georgia Statute of Limitations on Motorcycle Accident Lawsuits
How long does it take to settle a motorcycle accident? – The Georgia statute of limitations allows only two years from the date of a motorcycle accident to file a personal injury lawsuit. Although this may seem like plenty of time at first, you should speak with an attorney as soon as possible. Valuable evidence can be cleaned up, lost, or destroyed when you do not take action quickly. Your lawyer will work to protect your rights from the very beginning and ensure no mistakes are made.
Committed to Your Rights: Consult Our Albany Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
If you were injured in an Albany motorcycle crash caused by a careless or reckless driver, contact the Law Offices of William F. Underwood, III, P.C., today for a free consultation. A knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyer near you in Albany from our firm can answer all your questions and help you understand the best path forward.
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