Were you injured in a motorcycle crash?
We have the experience & resources to get you the maximum compensation you deserve.
310 Margie Dr
Warner Robins, GA 31099
8:30am – 5:30pm (M-F)
Closed Saturday & Sunday
Attorneys available on weekends by appointment
Georgia accident lawyers helping motorcycle accident victims near Warner Robins for over 50 years
Despite a decrease of 8.6 percent in the number of motorcycle accidents throughout the U.S. between 2016 and 2017, and a 25.9 percent decrease in Georgia alone, motorcycle riders still experience the highest risk of injuries and fatalities. In particular, the intersection of Tharpe Rd. and Russell Pkwy., Houston Lake Blvd., and Hwy 247 are especially prone to severe, and even sometimes fatal, motorcycle accidents in Warner Robins.
The experienced attorneys at the injury law firm of Westmoreland, Patterson, Moseley & Hinson are skilled at handling personal injury cases that stem from motorcycle accidents. On top of investigating the accident scene and requesting traffic reports, we’ll interview key witnesses and traffic experts to ensure you get the maximum possible compensation.
Experienced, efficient, and personable
“Well known experienced, efficient, and personable staff. Good location with a parking deck, which is a plus for the downtown area. Very nice, comfortable office. I have nothing bad to say.”
Settled my case for much more than I thought possible
“Philip Potter and his staff were absolutely amazing through our case. He was able to settle my case for much more than I thought possible. I would recommend him and his firm to anyone!”
I won my case; fully favorable
“Mr. Kevin Hall was “Phenomenal.” He took the “bull by the horns” and got me the money that I rightfully deserved.”
What to do after a motorcycle accident in Warner Robins, GA
Step 1: Check for injuries
Motorcycle accidents tend to leave riders a bit shaken, as is expected. First and foremost, following a wreck, you should immediately check yourself and others for injuries. Call 911 right away if you or anyone else is hurt, and/or if there is property damage.
Step 2: Take photos
Before taking photos, make sure the accident scene is safe and secure. Use a digital camera or your cell phone to take multiple photos from different angles of the bike and surrounding environment. These images may be helpful for proving your case in court, if necessary.
Step 3: Move the bike
If you can safely do so, move yourself and the bike off the road to avoid possible hazards to other drivers — whether you can take pictures or not. This is especially important at night, as it can be harder to see any debris when it’s dark.
Step 4: Gather information and evidence
As you wait for police to arrive, collect the name, number, email address, insurance information, VIN and license plate number, and make and model of all drivers involved and their vehicles. If there are any witnesses, gather their contact information as well because it may be helpful in your case. When the police arrive, be sure to note their name and badge number, as well as the police report number.
Step 5: Notify your insurance company
After you’ve gathered all important information, contact your insurance agent and be prepared to give them the same information. The most important thing to remember is not to admit fault, and wait to tell them about any damages or injuries until you’ve received professional medical attention and taken your motorcycle to a mechanic. This will ensure you receive proper compensation.
Step 6: Get a medical checkup
If you were seriously injured in the wreck, then you were probably taken by ambulance to a local hospital or emergency room. If, however, you were miraculously able to walk away from your motorcycle accident, it’s still important to see a doctor soon after the crash to make sure you didn’t suffer internal injuries. The adrenaline that flows through your veins immediately following a wreck can mask or conceal pain from an injury, but sooner or later this injury will make itself known. The sooner you visit a doctor, the sooner you can receive treatment or get the all-clear.
Step 7: Contact a lawyer
Motorcycle accident cases are typically more complicated and contested compared to car crashes. For starters, the injuries tend to be more severe and the damage more catastrophic. On top of that, certain biases and stigma may cause insurers to deny a claim more readily and for no obvious reason. For these reasons, it’s important for you to contact a personal injury lawyer near you who specializes in motorcycle wreck cases to protect your accident claim.
Common causes of motorcycle accidents (& how to prevent them)
- Changing lanes. Always use a turn signal to indicate to other drivers that you want to change lanes. Remember to check for blind spots, and master the hand signalling method if you don’t have a blinker system on your bike.
- Driving under the influence. Unfortunately, driving while intoxicated on alcohol or drugs isn’t new. Drivers and motorcyclists alike may face civil as well as criminal liability if they are caught drunk driving.
- Lane splitting. Driving between two lanes of traffic (commonly known as “lane splitting”) is illegal in the state of Georgia. If a motorcyclist is lane splitting and gets into an accident, then they will most likely be held liable.
- Sudden stops. Tailgating another car in heavy traffic is particularly hazardous for motorcyclists and can result in serious, sometimes fatal, injuries.
- Inexperienced drivers. There’s always a learning curve when driving a vehicle for the first time, which means beginner motorcyclists should exercise extra caution to avoid becoming a hazard to other drivers or being injured.
- Speeding. Speeding and reckless driving cause many motorcycle accidents, and it gives motorcyclists a bad reputation. The higher the speed, the shorter time you have to avoid an obstacle and the more severe the collision.
- Motorcycle defects. If the manufacturer has installed a defective part or designed a poor motorcycle, they can be held liable for any accidents and injuries that result.
- Opened car doors. Open doors of a parked vehicle are hazardous for oncoming cars, bicyclists and motorcyclists alike. When approaching a parked car, try to steer towards the far side of the traffic lane just in case a vehicle occupant suddenly opens their door.
- Left turns. Misjudging the distance of oncoming traffic, failure to yield, and turning after the light has turned red make left turns another common cause of motorcycle accidents.
- Road hazards. Potholes, debris, eroding pavement, and lack of proper road signs and signals are dangerous to all drivers, but especially motorcyclists. Such obstacles can lead to severe, even fatal, injuries.
Each state has its own laws regarding the use of motorcycles. Failure to know these laws could not only result in a fine or penalty but also lead to serious legal consequences in the event of a motorcycle accident.
Common motorcycle accident injuries
- Head injury. The consequences of not wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle aren’t worth the risk. A severe impact to your skull can range from a tender bruise to a concussion or cracked skull, which can cause your brain to swell and result in permanent brain damage. Wearing the proper head gear while riding a motorcycle can save your life.
- Biker’s arm. Wearing sturdy clothing and elbow pads can help minimize your injuries in the event of a motorcycle wreck, but human instinct tells us to brace our arms in front of our bodies in order to lessen the impact of a collision. Without the metal exterior of a passenger car, motorcyclists are especially vulnerable to injuring their arms when they lock in place, causing temporary or permanent nerve damage.
- Leg injury. Again, without the metal barrier that a car provides, motorcycle riders can easily injure their feet, knees, and legs during a wreck. While broken or shattered bones aren’t necessarily fatal, these injuries can worsen over time if not properly treated and require costly rehabilitation.
- Road rash. While not as severe as a head injury, road rash is extremely unpleasant. When a motorcyclist skids along the concrete after flying over the handlebars upon impact or wipeout, exposed skin can get scraped and bruised. Although road rash is easily treatable, it is very painful and can result in infection without proper medical attention.
- Muscle damage. In addition to wearing protective gear, such as a helmet, gloves and pads, motorcyclists should learn how to drive defensively in order to reduce the risk of muscle damage in the event of an accident.
How much is your motorcycle accident case worth?
Some motorcycle accident victims are able to recover thousands, even millions, of dollars in compensation. However, the exact amount you may be able to receive depends on the unique circumstances surrounding your accident.
The more serious your injury and losses are, the more financial compensation you’ll receive. If you come out of a motorcycle accident with a few bumps and bruises, it might not be worth filing a claim. But if you’ve suffered a severe head injury, even while wearing a helmet, then there might be a case worth your time. The damage done to your motorcycle will also contribute to the size of your compensation.
It’s always up to the plaintiff to prove liability. The injured motorcyclist must show proof that negligence was involved in the accident on the part of the defendant. For example, if you can prove that the driver who hit you was driving while under the influence or going over the speed limit, then you’ll be more likely to recover compensation.
The exact amount you may be owed will ultimately be calculated by examining the losses you suffered, such as medical bills and lost earnings in the past, present and future (economic damages), as well as pain and suffering (non-economic damages). Economic damages are easier to calculate because they have exact dollar amounts attached to them. Calculating non-economic damages like pain and suffering is more difficult because there’s no hard and fast way to calculate pain levels, so judges will often use their background and experience in this area to come up with an award amount.
Bias and prejudice in motorcycle accident cases
It’s no secret that motorcyclists have earned a reputation for being reckless drivers on the road. Though this stereotype doesn’t apply to every single person who owns and rides a motorcycle, nevertheless the prejudice can affect the judge’s ruling on your compensation and the settlement insurance companies will offer.
Insurers may try to reduce the amount of compensation you are owed, which is why it’s important to present hard and fast evidence proving that the other driver was in the wrong. If you can show that you were driving with a clear and level head, you will be more likely to overcome this prejudice. Our experienced Warner Robins motorcycle accident lawyers can help.
Georgia motorcycle accident
statute of limitations
Motorcycle riders have only 2 years from the date the accident occurs to file a personal injury claim and 4 years for property damage, according to the Georgia statute of limitations.
Contact an experienced Warner Robins, GA motorcycle accident lawyer
With more than 50 years of experience, our team of lawyers at the law firm of Westmoreland, Patterson, Moseley & Hinson has successfully resolved many personal injury cases, including motorcycle accidents. Thousands of motorcyclists are injured every year, sometimes fatally. We don’t want you to be another victim of prejudice when you file a claim, which is why we pledge to fight on your behalf so that you don’t have to settle for less. Contact us today at one of our three offices located in Warner Robins, Macon, and Albany, Georgia for your free consultation.
