If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle crash, you’re probably dealing with the financial burden of medical bills, lost income, and enduring pain and suffering. Injuries sometimes lead to permanent disabilities, necessitating lifelong care and accommodations. Luckily, a Marietta motorcycle accident lawyer from Jones & Swanson will assist you in pursuing the damages you deserve.
Experience matters; the motorcycle accident attorneys have handled hundreds of motorcycle accident cases. We have the experience, resources, and ensure that you are fairly compensated after your accident. If highly trained experts are needed to prove your case, we will hire them. We work with several industry-leading motorcycle reconstructionists.
Our Marietta personal injury lawyers have over 45 years of combined legal experience. We’re confident that we have the legal knowledge and resources to get the damages you deserve. No matter how serious your injuries and losses are, we’ll fight tirelessly to get a fair outcome for you.
We Will Identify the At-Fault Party and Work Hard to Hold Them Liable
Many assume fault automatically lies with the driver of the larger vehicle that struck the rider, but this isn’t always the case. To establish negligence and secure damages, our lawyers must present compelling evidence demonstrating that the motorist or another party committed a careless act, breaching their duty of reasonable care on the road.
At Jones & Swanson, our skilled Marietta motorcycle accident attorneys will investigate all potential causes of your collision and identify the liable parties. Here are some of the most common causes of bike collisions that our team will consider when investigating your case.
Driver Negligence
Catastrophic motorcycle crashes are frequently caused by driver errors and negligence. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will investigate your accident to determine if it was caused by any of the following types of driver negligence:
- Failing to check blind spots before changing lanes
- Speeding or driving too fast for conditions
- Improperly yielding right of way
- Unsafe passing or illegal lane maneuvers
- Disregarding traffic signals or signs
- Driving while impaired or distracted
We will secure and analyze physical evidence like skid marks, vehicle data, phone records, and more to pinpoint the specific driver maneuver or lapse of reasonable care that triggered the collision. With our team on your side, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your case is in excellent hands.
Road Hazards and Defects
In some cases, our investigators might find that your accident was caused in part by the negligence of parties other than the driver(s). We’ll work hard to determine if one of the following parties is responsible for the incident:
- Governmental agencies that failed to maintain roads, bridges, or traffic signals
- Construction companies that left debris or hazards in the roadway
- Other parties that made the road unsafe for motorists
Environmental Factors
Rain, snow, fog, and other environmental conditions require extra caution, yet drivers often fail to adjust their speeds and driving behaviors accordingly. If such negligence contributed to the wreck, we’ll work to hold all responsible parties accountable for their carelessness.
Severe Injuries We Will Help You Get Damages for
Compared to regular-sized vehicles, motorcycles offer little protection for riders, so injuries sustained in motorcycle accidents can be severe and often catastrophic. Even when they wear helmets and protective gear, riders frequently sustain traumatic injuries in these accidents.
Fortunately, our motorcycle accident lawyers in Marietta have worked with countless bike crash victims, many of whom have suffered severe and life-threatening injuries. You can count on our highly skilled team to get the damages you deserve to manage any of the following accident-related conditions:
- Fractures and crushed or amputated limbs
- Spinal cord injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)
- Internal organ damage and internal bleeding
- Disfiguring lacerations and “road rash”
These catastrophic injuries cause significant physical, emotional, and economic hardship for victims and their families. Our firm is dedicated to recovering the money you deserve to afford medical treatment, long-term care, and any other medical services you require to deal with the lasting impacts of your condition.
Damages a Marietta Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Will Pursue for You
After a serious bike crash, you’ll likely face a number of economic losses and other intangible struggles. We’ll work tirelessly to calculate how much you should receive from a settlement or court verdict and fight to obtain the following damages:
Economic Damages
Our lawyers in Marietta will gather your medical records, lost wage documentation, and all the other evidence required to prove the full extent of your economic losses. Then, we will pursue the following economic damages:
- Current and future medical expenses (surgery, hospitalization, medications, therapy, etc.)
- Lost wages from time off work
- Permanently diminished future earning capacity
- Necessary home modifications for disabilities
- Vehicle repairs or replacement
- Costs of specialized medical equipment and mobility aids
Non-Economic Damages
While non-economic damages do not represent financial losses, they still warrant significant damages. We will work directly with you to determine which non-economic damages you’re entitled to and how much you should receive overall for the challenges you’ve faced due to the crash.
You can rely on our highly skilled team to obtain the following non-economic damages for you:
- Physical pain and suffering
- Emotional distress and mental anguish
- Permanent disfigurement and scarring
- Reduced quality of life and disability accommodations
- Loss of consortium or companionship
Wrongful Death Damages
When motorcycle accidents lead to fatal injuries, families are often left with more than just emotional devastation. Few families are prepared to face the financial hardships that accompany the sudden, tragic passing of a loved one, especially if they contribute income to the household.
Our Marietta wrongful death lawyers will help your family seek justice and damages to help you honor your loved one’s memory. Potential wrongful death damages include:
- Loss of financial contributions and inheritance
- Loss of care, companionship, guidance
- Funeral/burial expenses
- Pain and suffering of the deceased prior to death
Our legal team will shoulder the legal burden of a wrongful death lawsuit, allowing you to grieve in peace with your family. Reach out to our compassionate Marietta motorcycle accident lawyers today to learn more about how we will help you during this difficult time.
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
The immediate aftermath of a serious motorcycle accident can be frightening and overwhelming. That said, if you take the right steps immediately after the crash, you will protect your health, safety, and potential legal claim. Here’s what to do after a motorcycle accident:
Seek Medical Attention Immediately
Before you call the police or a Marietta motorcycle accident attorney, you should make sure that you aren’t seriously injured. Take a deep breath, assess your injuries, and determine if you require immediate medical care. If you are badly injured, call 911 ASAP. If your injuries aren’t serious enough to warrant immediate care, continue taking these steps.
Even if you feel fine, you should get checked by a medical professional at some point. Some injuries, like internal bleeding or concussions, do not show symptoms right away. Once you’ve taken these steps, you’ll want to see a doctor and find out if you have any injuries that went unnoticed at first.
Additionally, you should call 911 if anyone else is seriously injured. Check on the other drivers or pedestrians involved in the incident to see if they require care.
Remember, your health and safety are always the priority after a crash. If you or someone else requires medical assistance, don’t hesitate to call emergency responders.
Get to Safety and Call the Authorities
Once you’ve assessed your injuries, you’ll want to move to a safe location away from traffic to prevent further accidents. Once safe, call the police and report the accident.
Even if you don’t require emergency medical care, you should still call 911. The responding officers will file a police report that our motorcycle accident law firm in Marietta will use to strengthen your claim.
Remember, when speaking with officers, stick to the facts and avoid admitting fault. Doing so will ensure that you don’t say anything that the at-fault party and their insurance company can use against your claim.
Gather Evidence at the Scene
If you aren’t seriously injured, you’ll want to gather evidence at the scene of the bike crash. The information you collect at the scene will make a significant difference in your case. It will allow your Marietta motorcycle accident attorney to file a well-supported claim with the at-fault party’s insurer.
Gather the following pieces of evidence at the crash scene to help your claim:
- Photos and Videos: Capture images of your damaged motorcycle, the other vehicle(s) involved in the incident, poor road conditions, damaged traffic signs, and any visible injuries you’ve suffered.
- Contact Information: You should also write down the names, phone numbers, and insurance details of all involved parties.
- Witness Statements: Finally, you’ll want to speak to bystanders who saw the accident and ask for their contact information. Their eyewitness testimony could be valuable later when we are working on your case.
Hire an Experienced Marietta Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Once you’ve gathered information from the accident scene, reported the incident, and received medical care for your injuries, it’s time to find an attorney to handle your case. Hiring a lawyer soon will ensure that all available evidence is gathered and help your attorney comply with time-sensitive filing deadlines.
Ultimately, your attorney will guide you through the claims process and fight for the justice and damages you deserve. Here are some obstacles our motorcycle accident lawyers will help you overcome after a serious bike crash:
- Evidence collection and case preparation: While it’s important that you gather information at the accident scene, our team will also conduct a thorough investigation of your crash. We’ll collect every piece of evidence available and work hard to prepare a winning claim so you have the time you deserve to recuperate from your injury.
- Getting medical care: If you don’t have health insurance, it will be very difficult for you to get care after a crash. The good news is that our motorcycle accident attorneys in Marietta will connect you with a doctor or medical care provider who will treat you on a lien basis.
- Dealing with the insurance company: Dealing with the insurance company can be a major roadblock between you and the recovery you deserve. That’s because insurers do everything they can to trick accident victims into accepting lowball settlement offers. Our team will stand up against insurers and fight for the damages you’re owed.
How the Statute of Limitations Can Affect Your Case
If you’ve been hurt in a bike crash in Marietta, you should familiarize yourself with Georgia’s statute of limitations for personal injury cases. Whether or not you comply with the statute will have a significant impact on your claim.
Under GA Code § 9-3-33, you have two years from the date of the collision to settle your claim or file a lawsuit. If you don’t take action before the two-year time limit expires, you’ll be barred from getting the damages you deserve to cover medical care expenses, replace lost wages, and get your life back on track.
Delaying your claim will only make it more likely that you’ll be forced to go without the damages you deserve to make it through this painful time in your life.
To avoid the worst-case scenario, get in touch with our motorcycle accident law firm in Marietta today. If you hire an attorney from our firm soon, we will ensure that this important requirement is satisfied.
Our Motorcycle Accident Team Does Not Charge Upfront Fees
Our Marietta, GA, motorcycle accident attorneys work exclusively on a contingency fee basis for all injury cases. This means you pay no upfront costs and no hourly legal fees throughout the entire duration of your case.
Our contingency fee is a predetermined percentage of any final settlement or jury award we obtain on your behalf. Our fees are contingent upon our producing a financial recovery for your damages and losses. Schedule a free consultation with an attorney from our firm today to learn more about our contingency fee policy.
Schedule a Free Consultation With an Experienced Attorney
Our legal team in Marietta wants to help you recover maximum damages for your motorcycle accident claim or lawsuit. A settlement or verdict will help you access the medical treatment you deserve to recover from your injuries. We’ve won over $50 million in damages for accident victims, so you can count on us to secure the damages you’re owed.
Contact us today to schedule a free consultation with a Marietta motorcycle accident lawyer and get started on your case. We’ll meet with you to discuss the bike crash you were injured in and answer any questions you have about the claims process. We look forward to speaking with you soon.