Fayetteville has plenty to offer motorcyclists or anyone who likes to feel the wind in their hair during a ride. The thrill and convenience of a motorcycle seem like an easy choice for many residents. Unfortunately, irresponsible drivers put Fayetteville motorcyclists at risk of severe injury.
If you were involved in a motorcycle accident in Fayetteville, contact Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. for help. You might be entitled to a financial settlement for the injuries you sustained and resulting expenses. We can help you get it in an insurance claim against the at-fault driver. Whatever your injuries, you have the right to pursue compensation from the other party for their careless actions that led to the crash.
Our Fayetteville motorcycle accident lawyers understand the pain of recovering from a crash. Money won’t heal your injuries, but it can help you move on with your life.
When someone else’s negligence is to blame for your injury, the team at Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. can help you file an insurance claim or lawsuit to recover the maximum compensation you deserve. Call us at 770-205-2231 to schedule a free consultation.
The Dangers of Sharing the Road with Other Vehicles
Even if you take necessary safety precautions, you can’t prevent other people from making errors that put you in danger. That’s unacceptable, but Georgia state law allows you to seek financial damages to hold them accountable for their behavior.
Some drivers don’t pay attention to motorcyclists on the road. Some become distracted by their cell phones or speed to get to their destination. Negligent and reckless driving, including distraction and inattention, are the main causes of motorcycle crashes.
The reasons car and truck drivers cause accidents with motorcycles include the following:
- Failing to check blind spots
- Speeding
- Tailgating
- Passing too closely to the motorcycle
- Texting while driving
- Turning left without looking first
- Driving recklessly, such as weaving in and out of traffic
Even if you’re paying attention to the task of operating your bike, another driver on the road may not be. All motorcyclists know they’re in more danger in the event of a crash, which is why they tend to ride carefully. Remember to wear your safety gear and follow all safety precautions. And if you do suffer an accident, don’t hesitate to contact an attorney.
Types of Damages You’re Entitled to After a Motorcycle Accident
Whether you choose to file an insurance claim or lawsuit against the person responsible for the crash, you can use the action to demand compensation for the damages from your injuries.
Damages are all losses associated with an accident. They include the cost of treatment, the income you were unable to earn because you couldn’t work, and symbolic payments for the suffering you endured.
There are two main types of damages most motorcycle accident victims pursue when seeking financial compensation from the at-fault driver. Economic damages are actual expenses associated with the injuries, while non-economic damages are losses that are more difficult to calculate.
Examples of economic damages include:
- Medical costs
- Lost wages
- Lost earning capacity
- Motorcycle repairs
- Property damage
- Out of pocket expenses
Examples of non-economic damages include:
- Emotional trauma
- Disability or disfigurement
- Pain and suffering
- Loss of quality of life
The billing statements, receipts, and invoices that come with economic damages determine the damages you’re owed. Non-economic damages, on the other hand, are difficult to monetize.
Since calculating an appropriate amount for physical and emotional trauma is tricky, we’ll consider different factors related to your motorcycle crash, such as:
- Type and severity of the injury
- Length of the recovery period
- Total wages unearned due to the injury
- Impact of the accident on daily life
- Total economic damages incurred
- If future medical care is necessary
- Any disability or impairment resulting from the injury
- Availability of sufficient evidence proving fault
Some factors could increase the maximum financial award you’re entitled to, while others could decrease it. Generally speaking, if you suffered a severe injury and had to undergo consistent medical treatment, you would probably receive higher compensation than if you sustained a minor injury.
At Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C., we’ll calculate the full damages you’ve suffered. Our Fayetteville motorcycle accident lawyers will aggressively pursue a fair number from the insurance company, and won’t let you settle for less than you deserve.
Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. Will Help You Seek the Compensation You Deserve
When you hire us, we’ll handle all the legal aspects of your case. We have the resources and experience to investigate the cause of the motorcycle accident thoroughly and determine who we can go after for compensation.
We’ll begin by collecting relevant evidence, such as:
- Statements from eyewitnesses
- Crash scene evidence
- Traffic crash report
- Copy of the at-fault driver’s auto insurance policy
- Video surveillance footage
- Copies of your medical records
- Motorcycle and car repair estimates
Under Georgia’s auto insurance requirements, all drivers must carry insurance with minimum liability limits. Those limits cover an injured party’s damages.
The traditional fault system allows victims of motorcycle accidents to hold the at-fault driver financially responsible. Typically, your claim or lawsuit seeks payment from their auto insurance company, but you could also pursue compensation by filing a lawsuit directly against the driver.
Additional Options for Recovering Compensation for Your Damages
Although it’s the law in Georgia to hold auto insurance, some drivers don’t. If we discover the other party involved in your motorcycle accident doesn’t have insurance, you might be able to file a claim with your own insurance company.
UM, uninsured motorist coverage, provides reimbursement to victims of accidents when the at-fault motorist doesn’t hold liability coverage.
With a UM insurance claim, you can cover the following damages:
- Medical expenses
- Out of pocket costs
- Lost wages and future earnings
- Pain and suffering
Georgia law doesn’t require that you purchase UM coverage, but all insurance companies must offer it to their policyholders as supplement coverage. You can also use it to cover additional damages if the at-fault driver’s liability coverage isn’t high enough.
Choosing Between an Insurance Claim and a Lawsuit
When you hire Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C., one of our Fayetteville motorcycle accident lawyers will help you determine which is the better option. Both insurance claims and lawsuits aim to compensate for economic and non-economic damages. The main difference for your is time: insurance claims are usually quicker.
Insurance Claim
In an insurance claim, you pursue a monetary settlement from the at-fault party’s liability insurance company. When we file a claim on your behalf, your lawyer will submit evidence to prove the other party’s fault and that you sustained injuries from the motorcycle accident.
If the insurance company agrees with the claim, they’ll approve it. Then we can negotiate a settlement.
Your Fayetteville motorcycle accident lawyer can handle your claim, so you don’t have to worry about the process. Insurance companies don’t want to pay claims, and if you file without the help of a lawyer, they’ll try to take advantage of that.
They might trick you into signing a form that doesn’t allow you to pursue the maximum settlement available. Or they could intimidate you into accepting a much lower offer than you deserve. We can protect you from these underhanded tactics.
Lawsuit
If you choose to file a lawsuit, we can file a lawsuit against the insurance company and at-fault driver. Typically, we recommend that victims of motorcycle accidents pursue a lawsuit when the insurance company denies their claim or provides a low settlement amount and refuses to negotiate for something higher.
Lawsuits allow us to seek fair and full compensation in court. If a negligent or reckless driver hurt you, we won’t stop until you get what you’re owed.
In Georgia, you must adhere to a statute of limitations when pursuing a lawsuit in the civil court system. It’s a strict deadline, and if you miss it, you may lose your right to compensation for this particular matter.
The statute of limitations for motorcycle accidents is two years. That means you have two years from the crash date to sue the insurance company and liable driver.
Why Choose Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C.?
Our Fayetteville motorcycle accident lawyers know how a traumatic event like yours can affect you. It can upend your life and cause tremendous financial strain. It’s our goal to recover the maximum compensation available so you can cover your total damages.
When you hire us, we’ll get to know you and the details surrounding your motorcycle crash to create a plan that fulfills your goals. We provide personalized attention to each client we work with, so you’ll feel like a priority. You can depend on us to guide you through the complicated legal process and provide the support you need to recover from your injuries.
Our Fayetteville motorcycle accident lawyers take cases on contingency. That means you won’t have to pay us upfront for our services. We don’t expect any legal fees unless we secure financial compensation for our clients. If we don’t win your case, you won’t pay us at all.
Contact Jonathan R. Brockman, P.C. Today for a Free Consultation
If you suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident in Fayetteville and want to hold the other party accountable for their actions, call us today at 770-205-2231. We’ll schedule your free consultation so you can get on the road to recovery.