After a motorcycle accident, insurance companies often try to shift blame onto riders or minimize their injuries. Our Calhoun personal injury lawyer will assist with your claim and help ensure you receive fair compensation.
The team at Jones & Swanson has over 50 years of combined experience. If you were injured while riding your motorcycle, our motorcycle accident lawyer in Calhoun will take on your case and help you pursue damages.
Why Hire Our Calhoun Motorcycle Accident Lawyers?
Motorcycle accident claims are often more complicated than they initially appear.
Our Calhoun motorcycle accident lawyers will help with your claim by:
- Gathering evidence: We will collect police reports, witness statements, photographs, surveillance footage, and other types of evidence to prove what caused the crash.
- Calculating damages: We will evaluate your medical bills, property damage, and other losses and calculate your claim’s value.
- Negotiating a settlement: Insurance adjusters often pressure motorcycle accident victims to accept low settlements. We will communicate with insurers and push for fair compensation on your behalf.
- Preparing for litigation (if necessary): If a reasonable settlement can’t be agreed upon, we will prepare your case for trial and fight for you in court.
What Types of Damages are Available?
After a motorcycle accident, you can recover both economic and non-economic damages, such as:
- Medical bills: You can recover damages for emergency treatment, hospital stays, surgeries, physical therapy, prescription medications, and anticipated future medical care.
- Lost wages: You can recover income you missed out on while recovering from your injuries.
- Reduced earning capacity: You can pursue additional damages if your injuries permanently affect your ability to earn a living.
- Property damage: You can recover the cost of repairing or replacing your motorcycle and other damaged personal property.
- Pain and suffering: You can seek damages for the physical pain and emotional distress caused by the accident.
- Loss of enjoyment of life: You can pursue additional damages if your injuries prevent you from participating in hobbies, recreational activities, or other aspects of daily life that you previously enjoyed.
- Permanent disability or disfigurement: You can recover additional damages if the accident leaves you with lasting physical limitations or permanent scarring.
- Punitive damages: You can seek punitive damages in situations involving particularly reckless or malicious conduct from the at-fault party. These may be available if the driver who hit you was drunk or deliberately trying to run you off the road.
What is the Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accident Claims in Georgia?
Under Georgia Code § 9-3-33, you generally have two years from the date of a motorcycle crash to file a personal injury lawsuit. If you try to file after this deadline expires, the court will likely dismiss your case.
A different statute of limitations may apply if your case involves injured minors, government entities, or the delayed discovery of injuries. Our motorcycle accident attorneys in Calhoun will help make sure you file on time.
Who is Liable for a Motorcycle Accident?
While negligent drivers are typically responsible for motorcycle accidents, other parties may also share liability depending on how the crash occurred.
Potentially liable parties include:
- Drivers: Drivers who speed, drive while distracted, fail to yield, make unsafe lane changes, follow too closely, or drive under the influence may be held responsible for causing a motorcycle accident.
- Commercial vehicle operators and trucking companies: If a commercial truck, delivery vehicle, or company-owned vehicle causes a collision, both the driver and the employer may be liable.
- Motorcycle or vehicle manufacturers: A manufacturer may be held responsible if a defective motorcycle, tire, brake, or other vehicle component contributed to the accident.
- Government entities: State or local government agencies may be liable if dangerous road conditions, missing traffic signs, defective traffic signals, or poorly maintained roads played a role in the crash.
- Construction companies or contractors: A contractor performing road work may be responsible if unsafe construction zones, inadequate warnings, or roadway debris create hazardous conditions.
- Property owners: In some situations, a private property owner may be liable if hazardous conditions on the property contribute to a motorcycle accident.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Calhoun
Motorcycle accidents occur for many reasons, including:
- Distracted driving
- Speeding
- Failure to yield the right of way
- Unsafe lane changes
- Left-turn accidents
- Following motorcycles too closely
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Aggressive or reckless driving
- Poor road maintenance
- Defective motorcycle parts
Why Choose Jones & Swanson?
Who you choose to represent you can make a big difference in your motorcycle accident case. When you work with Jones & Swanson, you can expect:
- Personalized attention: Unlike many large firms with high caseloads, we take the time to get to know you and your situation. You are not treated like just another case number when you choose us.
- Compassionate service: We understand that a serious motorcycle accident can affect every aspect of your life. Our team will provide compassionate support while helping you make informed decisions throughout your case.
- Help accessing medical care: If you don’t have medical insurance, you may be worried about the cost of receiving treatment for your injuries. We will work with healthcare providers who will help you get the care you need while your case is pending.
- A hometown approach: As a Marietta-based firm, we value personal relationships and focus on pursuing justice for our clients rather than operating like a settlement mill.
- Convenient service: If you are unable to travel to our office because of your injuries or location, we will come to you.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident in Calhoun
Everything you do after a motorcycle accident can affect the strength of your legal claim.
If possible, you should:
- Contact law enforcement and request a copy of the accident report.
- Photograph the accident scene, vehicle damage, road conditions, and any visible injuries.
- Exchange contact and insurance information with the other driver.
- Trade contact information with witnesses.
- Seek immediate medical attention, regardless of the severity of your injuries.
- Follow your doctor’s treatment plan.
- Avoid discussing fault or posting details about the accident on social media.
- Consult our lawyers to start building your claim.
Get Help from Our Calhoun Motorcycle Accident Attorneys
It can take weeks or even months to recover from a motorcycle crash. If you were injured in an accident that wasn’t your fault, a Calhoun motorcycle accident attorney from Jones & Swanson will handle your claim and pursue damages so you can focus on healing.
Book a free case review to get help with your claim.
