Injured in a motorcycle accident in Albany?
Find the best Georgia injury attorney near you.
2410 Westgate Dr, Suite 101
Albany, GA 31707
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Georgia injury lawyers helping accident victims near Albany for over 50 years
In recent years, there has been good news for motorcyclists. Statistics indicate that motorcycle fatality rates have decreased by an average of 8.6% across the United States. Georgia was among the 30 states that saw a decrease in fatal motorcycle accidents between 2016 and 2017 — an astonishing 25.9%. In total, 170 motorcycle accidents were reported in 2016, and 126 in 2017.
While positive, this news doesn’t mean motorcyclists and other motorists can be complacent. Despite the decrease, dangerous roads still exist right here in Albany and Dougherty County.
Some of the most dangerous local roads for motorcyclists and pedestrians are Liberty Expressway (US-82), East Oakridge Dr. (Highway 234), and US-19. Even Tift Ave. and Madison St. in historic downtown Albany have their fair share of auto accident fatalities.
Regardless of the circumstances surrounding your wreck, motorcycle accident victims in Albany are entitled to certain rights and benefits under Georgia law. If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a motorcycle wreck, we’ll help you understand all of your rights and responsibilities when it comes to compensation. It’s important to hire the best motorcycle accident lawyer to review your case.
At the law offices of Westmoreland, Patterson, Mosely, and Hinson, our injury lawyers have over 200 years of combined experience helping accident victims receive the compensation they need for medical bills, lost wages, pain and suffering, disability & other damages.“Mr. Hinson handled a personal injury matter for me. He kept me well informed and did an excellent job. I was very pleased with the outcome.”
What to do after a motorcycle accident in Albany, GA
- Check for damage/injury. It’s normal to experience some shock after an accident, especially one as traumatic as a motorcycle wreck. Take a few deep breaths before slowly and carefully checking yourself for injuries. Once you know you’re okay and can move without pain, check to make sure the other driver and passengers (if there are any) are okay too. If you’ve been severely injured, wait for help to arrive. Your top priority is maintaining your safety and well-being.
- Call the police. If you are able to, dial 911 to report the accident, if no one else already has. Whether it’s just a scratch on the motorcycle or someone has been killed, you should always notify the police of a motorcycle accident in Georgia in order to avoid penalties with the law and the insurance. If you or the other driver needs medical attention, make sure to ask for an ambulance.
- Take pictures. Again, barring any serious injuries, consider taking pictures of the accident scene while you wait for the police to arrive. Get a few photos of the damage to the motorcycle and the other vehicle. The quality doesn’t have to be perfect; there are decent built-in cameras in practically every phone nowadays. Use your phone to take pictures from multiple angles. If it’s dark outside, use the flash so there’s plenty of light. Don’t forget to photograph the street name, any road signs and stop lights, and weather conditions.
- File a police report. When the police arrive, let them take it from there. They should give you paperwork to fill out and ask for your driver’s license, car registration, and proof of insurance. You will also need these to help fill out the paperwork they give you. When they ask questions, be careful not to say “I’m sorry” or “It was my fault,” even if you think this might be the case because there may be other contributing factors that you aren’t aware of. Admitting fault may reduce your ability to receive compensation later on. Make sure everything is correct on all the documents and that the police don’t miss any details, as this can sometimes happen and will cause issues down the road.
- Notify your insurance company. The next call you should make is to your insurance company. Let them know you were in an accident, but again remember not to admit fault. Answer their questions truthfully and don’t say more than necessary.
- See a doctor. Next, it’s important to make sure you’re uninjured. Not all injuries are visible, and the adrenaline coursing through your veins after a motorcycle wreck may be masking serious bodily injuries. After the police are done and you’ve notified your insurance company, go see a doctor as soon as possible. Go to a local hospital or emergency room if you suddenly experience serious pain.
- Seek legal advice. Lastly, consulting with a motorcycle wreck attorney who has experience in these especially dangerous types of accidents is the best step you can take. Our Albany accident attorneys will help you get the best settlement possible and offer advice while you give a recorded statement to the insurance company.
Common causes of motorcycle accidents
- Bad weather. Whether you’re cruising down the road in a sports car, taking the kids to school in a minivan, or riding a motorcycle, Mother Nature can impact the way you drive. Weather patterns such as fog, sleet, rain, ice, snow, or even just a cloudy sky can cause accidents.
- Bad road conditions. Potholes and other road defects are some of the most common reasons why motorcycle wrecks occur. If the roads are slippery or dotted with ice, these hazards might make it more likely for a cyclist or motorist to lose control and skid.
- Maintenance issues. All vehicles require constant maintenance, including motorcycles, which is why it’s important to keep up with tire changes, keeping a clean chain & other important maintenance tasks.
- Negligent driving. Motorcyclists have a bad reputation for speeding, lane splitting and tailgating. Not everyone who rides a motorcycle does this, but the few who do are more likely to get in severe and sometimes fatal accidents. Drivers of other vehicles and trucks also often drive recklessly, failing to look out for motorcyclists.
Common motorcycle accident injuries
- Head injuries. Motorcyclists should wear helmets for obvious reasons. There’s no seatbelt, and no protection between them and the road. If a motorcyclist doesn’t have a helmet on when they crash, this can lead to severe cuts, lacerations, concussions and traumatic brain injury (TBI).
Enjuris guide
Traumatic brain injuries can affect more than the victim – they can affect the whole family. Read more to see what kind of injuries can occur – from concussions to whiplash – how they happen and what you should do when neurologic injuries arise. Continue to Enjuris personal injury guide
- Road rash. Getting a rash from touching poison ivy or sliding across the rug inside your home is bad enough. Skidding across a cement pavement, even if you’re wearing full protective gear, is considerably more serious. The severity of road rash can range from red and raw skin that will heal on its own with time, to a possible skin graft and permanent scarring.
- Broken bones. When a motorcyclist collides with a passenger car or commercial truck, the resulting accident often leads to multiple broken bones, including broken arms, legs, spinal cord, and ribs.
- Amputation. Amputations of your limbs may be necessary after a particularly severe impact, requiring the use of prosthetics and possibly even a caretaker to help with daily needs. This could also mean years of physical therapy, which adds up quickly.
Compensation for motorcycle accident damages in Albany, Georgia
- Medical bills. Under Georgia law, the at-fault driver or motorcyclist and their insurance company will be the ones responsible for covering the accident victims’ medical care costs, including ambulance fees, emergency care, and time spent in the hospital.
- Lost wages. Your job might also be affected by a motorcycle accident. The time you must take off work to recover, plus the light duty restrictions the doctor might prescribe that affect how you do your job and when you can return to it, is compensable under Georgia law. It all depends on the severity of your injury.
- Property damage. Knocking out a few fence posts, scratches and dings in your motorcycle and the other vehicle, and even a phone broken during the accident are all included under property damage.
- Pain and suffering. Georgia courts will take into account the costs of pain and suffering, and reimburse you for lost opportunities, negative emotions, discomfort, emotional distress and pain.
- Wrongful death. No amount of money can ever replace the loss of a loved one. However, it can help provide grieving families closure and help with the expenses that might accumulate from medical treatment, funeral costs and other fees.
Motorcycle accident statute of limitations
Motorcyclists have the same amount of time as every other driver in the state of Georgia to file a claim for personal injury in the event of an accident, which is 2 years for a personal injury and 4 years for property damage.
The sooner you can consult with a motorcycle accident attorney about your case, the more time they’ll have to prepare a strong argument for compensation.
Hire an Albany, GA motorcycle accident lawyer
Why should you hire an accident lawyer? At the law offices of Westmoreland, Patterson, Moseley & Hinson, we won’t let you settle for anything less than the best possible outcome. If you or a loved one are the victim of a motorcycle accident, our offices in Macon, Albany, and Warner Robins have expert lawyers with more than 200 years of combined experience to help you and your family recover.
Were you or a loved one injured in an accident?
Call 1-800-688-1651 or contact us online for legal help now.
Motorcycles are a great means of transportation, but getting into an accident is complicated.
