Compared to other accident types, motorcycle accidents cause some of the most severe injuries. That’s because motorcycles lack the protection that enclosed vehicles provide, so when they crash, the impact is significant. Motorcycle drivers and passengers are more likely to be injured or killed as a result. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Atlanta, contact a Steinger, Greene & Feiner lawyer today. Our auto accident lawyers will do whatever it takes to get the justice and compensation you deserve.
Why Choose an Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
An Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer knows the local laws and regulations surrounding this case type. They also have expertise in handling motorcycle accident cases for clients in the Atlanta area. The more experience a lawyer has, the more likely you are to achieve the results you want. Steinger, Greene & Feiner is ready to represent you.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Atlanta
We can’t tell you when a motorcycle accident will happen, but we can tell you what factors make one more likely to occur. Here are some of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents in Atlanta:
- Distracted driving
- Reckless or aggressive driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Poor road or weather conditions
- Lack of proper training
- Poorly designed infrastructure
- Poor visibility
- Unsafe lane changes
- Lane splitting
- Roadway obstructions
- Poorly designed intersections or merge areas
- Poorly maintained motorcycles
- Mechanical failures
What to Expect During the Legal Process
The Legal Process Following a Motorcycle Accident
Once you contact an Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer at Steinger, Greene, & Feiner, these are the next steps you can expect.
- Evaluate the case: During your first official meeting with your personal injury lawyer, the two of you will discuss the details of your case. This is a time for you to ask any questions and address any concerns you have. Your lawyer will take the time to explain your rights and legal options as they pertain to your case.
- Gather evidence: Give your lawyer any documentation you have related to your case, such as medical bills or the police report. Your lawyer will obtain whatever evidence you don’t already have to start building a case.
- Negotiate a settlement: Most motorcycle accident victims choose to settle their cases outside of court. Your attorney will negotiate with insurance companies to negotiate a fair settlement that will
- File a claim: If a settlement can’t be achieved, your lawyer will file a lawsuit against the defendant demanding your desired amount of financial compensation.
- Discovery: The defendant will receive a summons and a complaint outlining why they’re being sued, for how much, and where and when they must appear in court.
- Litigate: Your lawyer will present the evidence before a judge and jury, arguing on your behalf. Once all evidence has been presented by both parties, the judge and jury will assign fault and compensatory damages.
What to Expect During Litigation
Litigation is the process of taking legal action against another person or entity. These are the steps involved in litigation.
- Discovery: Provide evidence to support your claims.
- Depositions: Those who witnessed the accident happen and expert witnesses answer questions about the case while under oath.
- Mediation: When the plaintiff and the defendant can’t achieve a settlement through insurance negotiations, they meet with a mediator to try settling again.
- Trial: If the parties still can’t achieve a settlement, their respective attorneys will take the case to court to settle through a trial.
- Arbitration: Not all cases are finalized through negotiations or litigation. Some are finalized outside of the court system. This only happens when both parties previously agreed to submit disputes to an arbitrator.
Hear From Satisfied Clients
“I had the best experience with my attorney. He was always available to answer any questions I had. He is kind and thoughtful, and has the best personality, even if a question I had was silly. He always reassured me everything was going to be alright, and it was. I will be referring him and your law firm to anyone who needs an excellent personal injury attorney.” – Denise Morales
“Our case was handled very professionally. Everything was completed in a timely manner, and this company’s business relationships helped tremendously in the long run. No regrets and would definitely recommend.” – Marlene DeSouza
“From beginning to end, my attorney was so attentive and on top of every detail of the process. It isn’t something that you can do on your own, and Steinger, Greene, and Feiner is a great option. I hope I don’t need to, but I would definitely use them again. Very happy with my settlement, and as they say, ‘I love my attorney!’” – Ross Lappin
“This law firm is absolutely outstanding! They take time to speak to you nearly every week with updates and explain the process in ways that even a child could understand, great communication! In the beginning, I wasn’t sure if I had a case, I spoke with this law firm and they made this an outstanding experience, it was so easy to work with them, and life-changing results. Thank you, Steinger, Greene, & Feiner!” – Shannon Jones
“My experience has been very satisfying. They contacted me immediately, were extremely professional, listened to me, which is important, and began the same day working on my behalf. It doesn’t get better than that.” – Melissa Williams
“Steinger, Greene, and Feiner took my case when others refused. I feel that they really care, and want to help people, unlike all the others who only care about the money. If you want to be cared for, have your best interests looked after at all times, and also get the largest settlement possible, I definitely recommend SG&F. They are a different kind of law firm.” – Janis Kowalczyk
Damages You Can Recover
Compensation Available
Motorcycle accident victims can claim compensation for two types of damages: economic and non-economic. Let’s take a look below at what these terms mean and what losses fall into each category.
Economic
Economic damages are the objective financial losses you suffer as a direct result of the accident. Here are some examples of economic losses:
- Medical bills
- Lost wages
- Prescription medication
- Rehabilitative care
- Property damage
- Medical devices or equipment
Non-Economic
Non-economic damages are more subjective and cannot be ascribed to a dollar value. Examples of non-economic losses include:
- Pain and suffering
- Reduced earning capacity
- Scarring and disfigurement
- Loss of enjoyment of life
- Psychological distress
- Emotional trauma
Factors That Influence Settlement Amounts
These are the top three factors that help parties determine a fair settlement amount.
- Liability: Liability is the main factor considered when awarding damages. The more liability a party contributes, the less compensation they receive. If a plaintiff shares any liability, their compensation is reduced by their percentage of fault.
- Severity of Damages: Plaintiffs who sustain more serious injuries and more extensive property damage often achieve higher settlements. That’s because they need more money to cover their accident-related expenses.
- Willingness to Settle: Parties who only care about settling quickly will likely receive less compensation, whereas those who are willing to stick it out longer for a better settlement will likely receive more compensation.
Motorcycle Laws and Rider Safety in Atlanta
Georgia requires all motorcyclists to:
- Have a valid motorcycle license
- Wear a helmet
- Wear protective eyewear if the motorcycle has no windshield
- Adhere to all road signs, traffic lights, speed limits, and passing rules
A motorcycle is only considered legal when it meets the following safety requirements:
- Has working turn signals
- Has handlebars that don’t exceed 25” above the seat
- Has functioning headlights and taillights that are on at all times during operation
- Has mirrors
Lane-splitting, which is when a motorcyclist rides between traffic lanes, is illegal in Georgia. It is also illegal to operate a motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs, including prescription medication that impairs one’s ability to operate a vehicle.
Safety Tips
In addition to following the laws and regulations described above, motorcyclists should follow these safety tips.
- Learn how to safely operate a motorcycle
- Obtain your motorcycle license
- Wear a helmet at all times
- Obey all traffic laws and regulations
- Maintain a safe following distance from other motorists
- Signal before changing lanes
- Don’t lane split or weave in and out of lanes
- Don’t drive distracted
- Wear reflective gear at night
- Check your motorcycle’s tire pressure and tread depth, hand and foot brakes, headlights and signal indicators, and fluid levels before each use
- Check for oil or gas leaks
- Secure and balance any cargo before hitting the road
- Don’t ride your motorcycle while under the influence of alcohol or drugs
Dealing With Insurance Companies After a Motorcycle Accident
Dealing with your insurance company after a motorcycle accident is a headache that can’t be avoided, unfortunately. The good news is that once you’ve spoken with an adjuster shortly after the accident, your attorney will take it from there.
They will handle all communications with your insurance provider and push back against unfair tactics to maximize your payout. With Steinger, Greene & Feiner on your side, you never have to worry about insurance companies taking advantage of you to get out of paying you what you deserve.
How a Lawyer Helps Negotiate Fair Settlements
Motorcycle accident lawyers help their clients tremendously during the settlement negotiations process. Here are three things they do in particular to maximize the compensation clients receive.
- Accurately assess the damages: Thoroughly assessing damages is essential for a client to receive a fair settlement. Motorcycle accident attorneys look at everything from property damage and medical bills to emotional trauma and lost earning capacity to determine how much their client’s claim is worth.
- Establish liability: Compensation can’t be awarded until liability is established. Motorcycle accident lawyers consider four elements to establish liability:
- Duty: The defendant owed the plaintiff a duty of care.
- Breach: The defendant breached their duty of care.
- Causation: The breach caused the plaintiff’s injuries.
- Damages: The plaintiff’s injuries resulted in some form of identifiable harm, whether physical, psychological, or financial.
- Take legal action: Whether it’s negotiating a settlement or taking your case to court, your lawyer will litigate as needed to reach the desired outcome.
Motorcycle Accident Case FAQs
1. What is a major cause of death in motorcycle accidents?
Head injuries are a leading cause of death in motorcycle accidents. Victims sustain injuries such as traumatic brain injury (TBI) or skull fractures that can result in long-term disabilities or even death.
The best way to reduce the risk of head injuries is to wear a helmet. Simply wearing a helmet can reduce your risk of sustaining a brain injury by roughly 67% and your risk of dying in a motorcycle accident by roughly 37%.
2. How likely is it to get in a motorcycle accident?
While no one can predict when a motorcycle accident will occur, we do know the common risk factors—such as lane splitting, driving while under the influence, and driving too fast. Avoiding these reckless behaviors is the best way to reduce one’s risk of getting in an accident. Motorcyclists should also avoid riding in inclement weather, on badly damaged roads, and in other hazardous conditions.
3. What should someone do about shoulder pain after a motorcycle accident?
Shoulder pain is common after a motorcycle accident, often caused by bruising or a more serious injury—such as a shoulder fracture, sprain, or dislocation. Soft tissue injuries like those affecting muscles, ligaments, and tendons can also cause shoulder pain. Whatever the cause may be, it’s crucial to seek immediate medical attention after an accident to identify the injury and treat the pain. This allows for proper healing.
4. How can you help someone in a motorcycle accident?
If you get in an accident with a motorcyclist or witness a motorcycle accident occur, there are a few things you can do to help the victim. First, call 911 if they need emergency medical attention. Unless the motorcyclist is in immediate danger, do not move them. Doing so poses the risk of causing a spinal cord injury, which can cause paralysis. You also should not remove their helmet unless their breathing depends on it.
Next, divert traffic away from the accident scene—but only if it’s safe and possible to do so. The goal is to get the motorcyclist and any other drivers away from oncoming traffic.
If the motorcyclist is conscious and able to answer questions, get their name and other important information. Share this information with first responders and police officers when they arrive at the scene.
Why Legal Representation Matters
The aftermath of a motorcycle accident is complicated. Victims have to deal with their insurance company, file paperwork, figure out how much compensation they need, and much more. Hiring a skilled Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer will make things a lot less complicated from the very get-go. Here are just some of the ways they will help you navigate your case to secure the compensation you deserve.
- Investigate the accident
- Gather evidence
- Assess the damages
- Determine liability
- Find eyewitnesses and expert witnesses
- Negotiate with insurance companies
- File all paperwork
- Represent your case in court
Don’t attempt to handle your case on your own. Steinger, Greene & Feiner is here to help.
Contact Steinger, Greene & Feiner for Help After a Motorcycle Accident
Your motorcycle accident case won’t wait, and neither should you. Contact our team today to get started with a free case evaluation. One of our Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyers will go over your case with you and answer any questions you have. Don’t worry about payment; under our contingency fee basis, you don’t pay until we win.
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