Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Macon-Bibb County, Georgia

Traffic accidents of all kinds can lead to serious injuries or death, but motorcycle accidents can be particularly dangerous due to the lack of protection the rider has in a wreck. The results of a motorcycle accident can leave the rider with life-altering injuries, leading to mounting medical bills, an inability to work, and uncertainty regarding how to move forward. In a situation such as this, putting your case in the hands of the right law firm can make a big difference in your attempt to seek compensation for your injuries. 

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident in Macon-Bibb County, Georgia, or the surrounding areas of Houston County, Milledgeville, Warner Robins, Monticello, or Forsyth, our team is ready to help you take action to pursue the financial compensation you need. Reach out to us at The Law Office of George O. Haskell, IV today to schedule a consultation to get started on building your case. 

Steps to Take If You Were in a Motorcycle Accident 

In the immediate aftermath of a motorcycle accident, you may have so many things to deal with that you feel unsure about what you should do next. After an accident, making sure you do the following list of items could mean the difference between a successful personal injury claim and a missed opportunity to receive compensation: 

• Seek Medical Attention — The priority in the aftermath of any accident is making sure everyone involved is safe and receives the medical treatment they need for their injuries. 

• Gather Documentation — Every piece of evidence you can gather can be important, including police reports, witness testimony, or video footage of the accident. 

• Contact Insurance Providers — Insurers for all parties involved should be contacted as soon as possible in order to initiate the claim process. 

• Hire a Personal Injury Attorney — Going through the post-accident process on your own is never your best option. Turn to an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. 

If you have suffered an injury that requires medical treatment, it won’t be long before the bills begin to pile up. Making sure you have everything documented and lined up when you work with your attorney to start the legal process can put you in a strong position to seek the most favorable outcome available to you in your case. 

Georgia Motorcycle Laws 

Being familiar with the traffic laws pertaining to motorcycles in your state is important. Since laws can vary from state to state, here is a brief rundown of motorcycle laws in the state of Georgia: 

• Lane-splitting (riding a motorcycle in between two lanes of traffic) is prohibited under state law. 

• All motorcycle operators and passengers are required to wear helmets. 

• In order to carry a passenger, a motorcycle must be equipped with an appropriate seat and footrest. 

• In order to be street legal, a motorcycle must be equipped with working headlights and taillights, mirrors, a windshield (or a face shield on the rider’s helmet), and fixed handlebars no higher than 15 inches from the vehicle. 

If your motorcycle is properly equipped, you are licensed to operate it in the state, and you were following all applicable laws at the time of the accident, you can lay the foundation to claim that responsibility for the accident rests on another party. 

Determining Fault in Georgia 

When an accident has occurred, in order for any party to pursue compensation through legal action, it must be established who or what was to blame for the accident. If a claim is brought that one party was negligent, a court may determine that the responsible party owes the injured party compensation. 

Proving Negligence 

Though proving negligence can be difficult, it is not impossible. In order to prove negligence, a series of things must be demonstrated: 

1. One party owed another party of legal “duty of care.” 

2. The responsible party failed to uphold this duty of care. 

3. The failure to uphold the duty of care resulted in the accident, and by extension, the injuries suffered by the plaintiff. 

If negligence is proven, compensation will be awarded in accordance with Georgia’s comparative fault system. 

Comparative Fault 

Under a comparative fault-based system of compensation, more than one party involved in the accident can be to blame. If one party is found to have been 25% at fault for the wreck, that party will only be entitled to receive 75% of the amount awarded in compensation. If you are found to have been 50% or more at fault for the accident, you are not eligible to receive compensation. 

Filing a Claim on Behalf of a Loved One 

If someone is killed in a motorcycle accident, there are two options for compensation to be pursued: 

• A wrongful death lawsuit may be filed by the deceased person’s family. 

• The executor of the decedent’s estate may file a “survival action” on behalf of the estate. 

It is important to note that there is a two-year statute of limitations on filing a wrongful death lawsuit in Georgia. This two-year period is from the date of the victim’s death, not necessarily the date of the accident.

Motorcycle Accident Attorney Serving Macon-Bibb County, Georgia 

Even after suffering injuries in a motorcycle accident, you can experience some level of relief in knowing you don't have to deal with this on your own. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a motorcycle wreck in Macon-Bibb County, Houston County, Forsyth, Monticello, Warner Robins, or Milledgeville, Georgia, contact our experienced team at The Law Office of George O. Haskell, IV to get started with an initial consultation.