Motorcycle Accident Attorneys in Atlanta, Georgia
Motorcycle riders know there is nothing like the thrill of riding throughout Greater Atlanta's scenic roadways. Unfortunately, this exhilarating experience comes with a greater risk to the rider of experiencing a motorcycle accident and sustaining serious injuries — even a catastrophic injury or death — than a car driver faces. That's because unlike other vehicles, motorcycles offer little protection to riders. Our skilled motorcycle accident attorneys at Greathouse Trial Law have helped countless injured motorcyclists in the Atlanta area.
According to the National Highway Transportation Authority, fatally injured motorcyclists continue to be overrepresented in fatal traffic crashes. In 2022, 6,218 motorcyclists were killed, accounting for 15% of all traffic fatalities.
If you’ve experienced a motorcycle accident, your first course of action is to put your life back together, an effort that likely includes ongoing medical attention, extensive surgeries, time off work, and ample rest. While you are unable to work, the medical bills continue to pile up, and the at-fault driver’s insurance company doesn’t want to compensate you — compounding your pain and suffering and affecting your mental health.
Has a motorcycle accident upended your life? At Greathouse Trial Law, our knowledgeable and experienced team of motorcycle accident attorneys wants to help shoulder the burden. Let us focus on the legal aspects of your motorcycle accident claim and help you pursue compensation for medical bills, lost wages, and more while you focus on your recovery. Contact us today to schedule your free consultation.
Key Takeaways Regarding Motorcycle Accident Cases in Atlanta
- Motorcycle accidents often lead to serious injury due to the lack of protection compared to other vehicles. Common injuries in such cases include traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal cord injuries, fractures, road rash, and internal injuries. Understanding the types and extent of injuries sustained is vital in assessing the full impact of the accident.
- In motorcycle accident cases, injured motorcyclists can pursue various types of compensation to help them recover physically, emotionally, and financially. For an injured motorcyclist, this can include compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and rehabilitation costs.
- Tragically, some motorcycle accidents lead to fatalities. In such cases, surviving family members may pursue a wrongful death claim against the at-fault party. These claims seek compensation for funeral expenses and the financial and emotional losses incurred due to the loss of a loved one in a motorcycle accident.
- Georgia's statute of limitations dictates the timeframe within which a motorcycle accident lawsuit must be filed. Typically, the statute of limitations for personal injury cases, including motorcycle accidents, is two years from the date of the accident. It's crucial for affected motorcyclists or their families to act swiftly to preserve their legal rights.
How Can a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Help Me After an Atlanta Motorcycle Crash?
An Atlanta motorcycle accident attorney can provide invaluable assistance in various ways following a motorcycle crash, including:
- Legal Guidance: An experienced attorney can offer informed legal guidance and explain your rights and options after a motorcycle accident. They can navigate the complexities of the legal system on your behalf while you recover.
- Investigation: Attorneys have resources to conduct thorough investigations into the circumstances of the accident. They can gather evidence, interview witnesses, and assess the factors that contributed to the crash.
- Insurance Negotiations: Your attorney can handle negotiations with insurance companies to help you seek compensation for your injuries, damages, and losses. They will advocate for your interests during settlement discussions.
- Assessing Liability: Attorneys can help ascertain liability in the accident by analyzing the evidence, assessing fault, and holding responsible parties accountable for their actions.
- Seeking Maximum Compensation: A skilled attorney will work to maximize the compensation you pursue for medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, property damage, and other related costs due to the accident.
- Litigation Representation: If a fair settlement cannot be reached through negotiations, your attorney can represent you in court and advocate for your case during litigation.
- Legal Protection: Having an attorney on your side can protect you from being taken advantage of by insurance companies or other parties seeking to minimize their liability in the accident.
- Peace of Mind: By entrusting your case to a knowledgeable attorney, you can focus on your recovery and well-being knowing that your legal matters are being handled effectively.
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Why choose greathouse law?
- Free Consultation – Tell Us What Happened & See If You Have A Case And What It Might Be Worth. We do consultations by phone and virtually.
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- Efficient – Our approach focuses on efficiency and speed to resolve cases as quickly as we can to get you your money faster.
- No Case Is Too Difficult or Complex – This is where tenacity and knowledge of the law matters. We do what is necessary even in difficult cases.
- Straight Shooters – You’ve made an important decision in your life. We respect you for that. Our approach focuses on efficiency and speed to resolve cases as quickly as we can to get your life back to normal sooner.
- Caring & Compassionate (truly) – We’re sorry for what happened to you or your loved one. Our team is incredibly experienced, and they truly understand the complications that Personal Injury can bring upon a family
- Personalized Attention – We understand and respect that every client’s needs are unique. We treat all of our clients with the attention they deserve.
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- Atlanta & All Georgia – Our office is in Atlanta but we accept cases everywhere in Georgia.
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Common Causes of Atlanta Motorcycle Accidents
In Atlanta, common causes of motorcycle accidents include:
- Left-Turning Vehicles: Accidents often occur when other vehicles making left turns fail to notice or yield to oncoming motorcycles.
- Head-On Collisions: These crashes can be devastating when a motorcycle collides head-on with another vehicle due to various factors like lane sharing or reckless driving.
- Lane Splitting: When motorcycle operators ride between lanes, it can lead to accidents because it increases the risk of riders being unseen by other drivers or having limited space to maneuver safely.
- Distracted Driving: Motorcycle riders and other drivers being distracted by phones, navigation systems, or other sources can significantly increase the likelihood of accidents.
- Reckless Driving by Other Motorists: Aggressive or careless driving behaviors by other road users can endanger motorcyclists.
- Poor Road Conditions: Uneven roads, potholes, loose gravel, or debris can pose hazards for motorcycles, potentially causing accidents.
- Inclement Weather: Rain, fog, or other adverse weather conditions reduce visibility and traction, increasing the risk of accidents.
Common Injuries Sustained in Motorcycle Accidents
In Atlanta motorcycle accidents, injured riders sustain common injuries, such as:
Road Rash
Road rash occurs when a rider's skin makes contact with the road surface during a crash or a slide. The friction between the skin and the road can cause abrasions, lacerations, and burns.
These injuries are classified into three degrees based on severity:
- First-Degree Road Rash: Superficial damage to the top layer of skin, causing redness and minor pain, similar to a scrape or sunburn.
- Second-Degree Road Rash: Involves damage extending through the top layer of skin into the underlying layers, leading to more significant pain, swelling, and potential blistering.
- Third-Degree Road Rash: In road rash of the highest severity, the skin is deeply scraped away, exposing muscle, tissue, or bone. Third-degree road rash requires immediate medical attention and may lead to scarring or long-term complications.
Treatment for road rash typically involves cleaning the affected area, removing debris, applying dressings to prevent infection, and monitoring for signs of complications. Severe cases may require professional medical care, such as skin grafts or surgery.
Motorcyclists can help prevent road rash by wearing appropriate protective gear, including sturdy clothing, gloves, boots, and — importantly — a properly fitted and certified helmet.
Fractures
Injured motorcycles often sustain fractures, also known as broken bones, due to the impact forces involved in a motorcycle accident. Broken bones can occur in various parts of the body depending on the nature and severity of the crash.
- Types of Fractures: Fractures can range from simple (closed) fractures, where the bone breaks but does not pierce the skin, to compound (open) fractures, where the broken bone protrudes through the skin. Other types include hairline fractures, comminuted fractures (bone shatters into multiple pieces), and greenstick fractures (incomplete break seen in children).
- Common Fracture Sites: Motorcyclists often experience fractures in areas such as the arms, legs, pelvis, ribs, spine, and collarbone due to direct impact with the ground, vehicles, or other objects during a crash.
- Symptoms: Symptoms of a fracture may include pain, swelling, bruising, deformity, limited range of motion, and difficulty bearing weight on the affected limb.
- Diagnosis and Treatment: Fractures are typically diagnosed through X-rays or other imaging tests. Treatment involves immobilization with casts, splints, or braces, realignment (reduction) of displaced bones, surgery for complex fractures, and rehabilitation to restore function and strength.
- Complications: Fractures can lead to complications such as nerve or blood vessel damage, infection, delayed healing, malunion (improper bone alignment), nonunion (failure to heal), and long-term disability if not managed appropriately.
- Recovery: Recovery from a fracture after a motorcycle accident may involve physical therapy, follow-up appointments, lifestyle modifications, and ongoing monitoring for complications to ensure optimal healing and function.
Head Injuries
Head injuries from motorcycle accidents can have severe and sometimes life-altering consequences, with traumatic brain injury (TBI) a significant concern.
- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI): TBI is a type of head injury caused by a sudden impact or blow to the head, leading to brain dysfunction. In a motorcycle accident, a TBI can range from a mild concussion to severe brain damage, depending on the force of impact and whether the rider was wearing a helmet.
- Helmet Use Importance: Wearing a properly fitted and certified helmet reduces the risk and severity of head injuries in a motorcycle accident. Helmets can absorb and dissipate impact energy, protecting the skull and brain from direct trauma and reducing the risk of TBI. For these reasons, riders should prioritize helmet use.
- Types of Head Injuries: In motorcycle accidents, riders may experience various types of head injuries, including skull fractures, concussions, contusions (brain bruising), hematomas (blood clots), diffuse axonal injuries (nerve damage), and penetrating head injuries.
- Symptoms: Symptoms of head injuries can vary based on the type and severity of the injury, but may include headaches, dizziness, confusion, memory loss, nausea, vomiting, slurred speech, vision problems, and changes in mood or behavior.
- Diagnosis and Treatment: Head injuries, especially TBIs, require prompt medical evaluation, typically through imaging tests like CT scans or MRIs. Treatment may involve monitoring for swelling or bleeding, medication, surgery for severe cases, rehabilitation, and long-term care for cognitive and physical impairments.
- Prevention: Using protective gear such as a motorcycle helmet, following traffic laws, avoiding speeding, and staying alert while riding can help prevent or reduce the incidence of sustaining a head injury in a motorcycle accident.
- Long-Term Impact: Severe head injuries can have long-term consequences, including cognitive impairments, motor deficits, emotional changes, and reduced quality of life. Rehabilitation and ongoing medical care may be necessary for individuals with lasting effects from head injuries.
Spinal Cord Injuries
Spinal cord injuries (SCIs) from a motorcycle accident can have profound and long-lasting effects on an individual's mobility, sensation, and overall quality of life.
- Nature of SCIs: SCIs occur when there is damage to the spinal cord or the nerves at the end of the spinal canal. In a motorcycle accident, an SCI can be caused by direct trauma to the spine due to impact forces, sudden jolts, or compression of the spinal cord.
- Types of SCIs: SCIs can be classified as complete or incomplete. A complete SCI leads to total loss of function below the level of injury, while an incomplete SCI allows for some degree of movement or sensation below the affected area.
- Common Causes: In a motorcycle accident, an SCI often occurs when a rider is thrown from their bike, collides with vehicles or objects, or experiences sudden deceleration forces impacting the spine. High-speed crashes and improper helmet use can increase the risk of severe SCIs.
- Symptoms and Effects: Symptoms of SCIs may include paralysis, loss of sensation, difficulty breathing, changes in bowel and bladder function, chronic pain, muscle spasms, and potential complications such as pressure sores and respiratory issues.
- Diagnosis and Treatment: Diagnosing SCIs typically involves imaging tests like CT scans or MRIs to assess the extent of spinal cord damage. Treatment may involve immobilization, surgery to stabilize the spine, rehabilitation, physical therapy, and assistive devices to promote independence and function.
- Long-Term Impact: Severe SCIs can lead to permanent disabilities, requiring ongoing medical care, adaptive equipment, home modifications, and emotional support to help individuals adjust to new limitations and challenges.
- Prevention: Safe riding practices, obeying traffic laws, wearing appropriate safety gear including helmets and protective clothing, and avoiding risky behaviors can help reduce the risk of SCIs in motorcycle accidents.
Internal Injuries
Internal injuries are a significant concern for motorcycle riders involved in motorcycle accidents, as the high-impact forces and lack of external protection can lead to severe and sometimes life-threatening injuries.
Types of Internal Injuries
Motorcycle accidents can lead to various types of internal injuries, including:
- Organ Damage: Blunt force trauma can cause injuries to internal organs such as the liver, spleen, kidneys, lungs, and heart.
- Internal Bleeding: Impact or crushing injuries can damage blood vessels, leading to internal bleeding that may not be immediately visible, but can be critical.
- Pneumothorax and Hemothorax: Collisions can cause a collapsed lung (pneumothorax) or a collection of blood in the chest cavity (hemothorax), affecting breathing and circulation.
- Abdominal Trauma: The abdomen is particularly vulnerable in motorcycle accidents, with injuries ranging from bruises and contusions to more severe organ damage.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
Internal injuries may present with symptoms such as abdominal pain, chest pain, difficulty breathing, dizziness, weakness, bruising, or signs of shock. Diagnosis often requires imaging tests like X-rays, CT scans, or ultrasound to assess the extent of internal damage.
Treatment
Prompt medical attention is crucial for individuals with suspected internal injuries. Treatment may involve stabilization, surgery to repair damaged organs or blood vessels, blood transfusions for severe bleeding, and monitoring for complications such as infection or organ failure.
Complications
Internal injuries can lead to complications such as hemorrhage, organ failure, infection, sepsis, and long-term health issues if not managed promptly and effectively.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
Recovery from internal injuries after a motorcycle accident may involve hospitalization, intensive care, rehabilitation to regain strength and function, and ongoing medical follow-up to monitor healing and address any complications.
Prevention
Practicing safe riding habits, wearing protective gear, including helmets and appropriate clothing, obeying traffic laws, and staying vigilant on the road can help reduce the risk of internal injuries in motorcycle accidents.
Steps to Take Immediately Following a Motorcycle Accident in and around Atlanta
After a motorcycle accident, take the following steps immediately.
- Prioritize Safety: Move to a safe location if possible to avoid further harm from oncoming traffic.
- Check for Injuries: Assess yourself and others involved for injuries and seek medical assistance as needed.
- Contact Authorities: Call 911 to report the accident and request police and medical help to the scene.
- Gather Information: Collect details from all parties involved, including names, contact information, insurance details, and eyewitness accounts.
- Document the Scene: Take photos of the accident scene, damages to vehicles, road conditions, and any relevant signage.
- Do Not Admit Fault: Avoid admitting fault or making statements that could be used against you later.
- Seek Medical Attention: Even if you feel okay, undergo a thorough medical evaluation to document any injuries sustained.
- Contact an Attorney: Reach out to experienced Atlanta motorcycle accident attorneys to protect your rights and seek appropriate compensation for your injuries and damages.
- Notify Insurance: Inform your insurance company about the accident, but avoid giving detailed statements until after having a free consultation with an attorney.
I Want to Seek Compensation After a Motorcycle Accident in Greater Atlanta: What Kind of Compensation is Available?
After a motorcycle accident in Atlanta, various types of compensation may be available to the injured party, including:
Medical Expenses: Coverage for current and future medical bills related to the accident, including hospital stays, surgeries, medications, rehabilitation, and therapy.
Lost Wages: Compensation for income lost due to missed work during recovery or permanent disability due to the accident.
Pain and Suffering: Financial recovery for physical pain, emotional distress, and mental anguish caused by the accident.
Property Damage: Reimbursement for repair or replacement of damaged motorcycle and any other property involved in the accident.
Loss of Earning Capacity: Compensation for reduced ability to earn a living due to injuries sustained in the accident.
Disability and Disfigurement: Financial recovery for long-term disabilities or disfigurements from the accident.
Punitive Damages: Additional compensation awarded to punish the at-fault party for egregious behavior that led to the accident.
Seeking legal advice from experienced Atlanta motorcycle accident attorneys can help you understand the full scope of damages and help you pursue fair and just compensation for your losses.
Motorcyclist Deaths and Wrongful Death Claims
Sadly, fatal crashes involving motorcyclists occur. If a crash has led to the death of a motorcyclist due to someone else's negligence, you may be eligible to pursue a wrongful death claim.
Georgia Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accidents
In Georgia, the statute of limitations for filing a motorcycle accident claim is typically two years from the date of the accident. This means that individuals involved in a motorcycle accident have a limited window of time to file a lawsuit seeking compensation for their injuries and damages. It's crucial to adhere to this legal deadline, as failing to file within the specified timeframe may lead to your inability to pursue a claim in court. Seeking prompt legal assistance from Atlanta attorneys can help you to file your claim within the statute of limitations so you can seek the compensation you need.
“As a former felony prosecutor, I believe that there is no fight that is too small or too big to fight when seeking justice for my clients.”
- Riah Greathouse
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Do I Need a Motorcycle Accident Attorney?
Following a motorcycle crash in Atlanta, seeking the representation of an experienced motorcycle accident attorney is crucial for multiple reasons.
- Legal Experience: Motorcycle accident cases can be complex, involving intricate laws and regulations. An experienced attorney can navigate the legal system effectively on your behalf.
- Protect Your Rights: An attorney will protect your rights and ensure that the insurance companies or other parties involved in the accident do not take advantage of you.
- Maximize Compensation: A skilled attorney will pursue the maximum compensation that may be available for your injuries, damages, and losses.
- Investigation and Evidence Gathering: Attorneys have resources to conduct thorough investigations, gather evidence, and build a strong case to support your claim.
- Negotiation and Litigation: Your attorney can handle negotiations with insurance companies and, if necessary, represent you in court to seek a favorable resolution for your case.
- Peace of Mind: By having a dedicated legal advocate on your side, you can focus on your recovery, knowing that your legal matters are being handled professionally and diligently.
Greater with Greathouse: Let Greathouse Trial Law Represent Your Interests and Protect Your Rights after a Motorcycle Accident in Greater Atlanta
At Greathouse Trial Law, Greater with Greathouse is not just a catchphrase ~ it's our law firm’s mission. Our law firm focuses on personal injury cases including car accidents, motorcycle accidents, truck accidents, bicycle accidents, premises liability, slip and fall accidents, drunk driver accidents, wrongful death, and medical malpractice in and around Atlanta and throughout Georgia.
Our founder, Riah Greathouse, served his community for several years as an Assistant District Attorney in Fulton County, where he prosecuted cases ranging from drugs to violent felonies throughout the county. His service as a prosecutor yielded a tremendous amount of courtroom experience, allowing him to attack personal injury cases with tenacity, often proving to be beneficial in securing a favorable resolution.
Riah's experience as an insurance defense lawyer on behalf of insurance companies gives him a unique advantage when representing injured clients. In this role, Riah noticed the insurance companies treated victims with legitimate injuries unfairly, making it as difficult as possible for them to seek compensation. That's when he vowed to make a difference.
When you work with Greathouse Trial Law, you will experience:
Greater Health
We will connect you with the best doctors available after your injury, to get you through your recovery.
Greater Communication
You will have open lines of communication with our office, as well as the providers charged to help you.
Greater Representation
You will have a fighter on your side against the insurance companies and their attorneys.
Contact us at (678) 310-2827 or complete our online form to schedule your free consultation.
Discover why it’s Greater with Greathouse for when pursuing compensation for motorcycle crashes.
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