Savannah Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

Motorcycle Accidents in Chatham County

If you or someone you love was recently involved in a motorcycle accident, The Motorcycle Law Group can help. We are known as The Firm That Rides®; our attorneys are not only passionate advocates for the injured, but many of them are also avid motorcyclists themselves. We truly understand the challenges injured motorcyclists face, and we know how to help you fight for the full, fair compensation you are owed.

When you choose our firm, you do not pay any upfront or out-of-pocket expenses—we only collect legal fees if we recover a settlement or verdict on your behalf. We are always available to take your call or respond to your email at any time and from anywhere.

Contact us now at (912) 355-7182 to set up a free consultation with one of our Savannah motorcycle accident attorneys. We serve all of Chatham County and beyond.

What to Do If You Are Involved in a Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycle accidents tend to be more serious than car accidents. As a result, many motorcycle accidents result in hospitalization, permanent disabilities, and other serious challenges.

If you were involved in a motorcycle accident, you have likely already been treated by a medical professional. If, however, you have not yet sought medical attention, do so right away. Whether it’s been several hours, days, or weeks since the crash, it is important that you are seen by a doctor.

After seeking medical attention, you should take the following steps (to the best of your ability):

• File a Police Report: If the police were not called and did not come to the scene of the accident, you should file a police report as soon as possible (if the police did come to the scene of the crash, they will have already filed a report on your behalf). Georgia law requires you to report any accident that results in injury, death, or property damage in excess of $500.
• Preserve Evidence: The more evidence you have for your injury claim, the better. If possible, take pictures of the scene of the accident, as well as your injuries. Get the name, contact information, and insurance information of the other driver and talk to any witnesses. You should also hold onto any other available evidence, such as your damaged bike or torn/bloodied clothing.
• Notify Your Insurance Company: Depending on your insurance policy, you may be required to report the accident within several hours or days. While you should notify your insurance company of the accident, we recommend avoiding discussing the details of the crash with any adjusters until you have spoken to a lawyer. Never sign anything or provide any official statements to your or the other person’s insurance provider unless you have talked to a lawyer.
• Follow Your Doctor’s Orders: Be sure to follow all of your doctor’s recommendations. Take medications as prescribed and attend follow-up appointments, rehabilitation therapy, and other medical services. Not only is this important for your physical recovery, but it also serves as evidence of the severity of your injuries and the nature of the required treatment.
• Contact a Lawyer: As soon as possible after a motorcycle accident, contact an experienced personal injury attorney. An attorney can protect your rights and stand up for you against the insurance company. We will handle every legal detail of your claim so that you can focus on healing and getting back on your feet.

It is very important that you work with a lawyer who can help you seek the full, fair compensation you are owed. Motorcyclists are often up against widely held prejudices that put them at a disadvantage when it comes to working with insurance companies, but our team at The Motorcycle Law Group knows how to develop powerful, evidence-based cases aimed at securing maximum recovery on your behalf.

Identifying the Liable Party

Georgia is one of many states to follow a traditional tort-based system when it comes to motor vehicle accidents. Under this system, injured accident victims typically file claims against the at-fault parties’ insurance providers rather than their own. This involves proving that someone else—whether another motorist or some other party—was at fault for the crash.

In fact, most motorcycle accidents result from the negligence of others. Examples include:

• Distracted driving, including texting while driving
• Traffic law violations, such as illegal turns or passing
• Speeding and driving at excessive speeds (reckless driving)
• Aggressive driving and road rage
• Tailgating, or following too closely
• Unsafe merging and lane changes, including cutting off motorcyclists
• Driving under the influence of alcohol and/or drugs
• Disobeying traffic control devices, such as red lights and stop signs
• Failing to yield the right of way to motorcyclists
• Failing to check blind spots/failing to see motorcyclists
• Opening car/vehicle doors into the path of oncoming motorcyclists

Sometimes, outside factors—such as defective roadways and faulty motorcycle safety equipment—play a role in causing serious motorcycle accidents. When this is the case, injured bikers may have claims against manufacturers and other liable parties.

What is Modified Comparative Negligence?

Georgia’s modified comparative negligence rule recognizes that many motorcycle accidents are the result of multiple parties’ negligence, not merely the carelessness or recklessness of a single individual. Under this rule, you may still file a claim for damages after an accident if you were partly to blame, but only if your degree of fault was less than the other party’s. In other words, you must be less than 50% at fault for the collision to have a valid claim.

Additionally, if you are found partly at fault, your total recovery will be reduced by the same percentage of fault you are found to have. For example, if the insurance adjuster argues that you were 25% at fault, you would only be able to recover up to 75% of the amount that you are seeking in damages.

Because insurance adjusters are typically the ones responsible for assigning fault after an accident, it is important that you work with an experienced lawyer who can protect your rights. Often, insurance companies utilize whatever tactics they can to dispute or devalue claims. They may assign you more of the blame than you deserve, either limiting the amount you can recover or prohibiting you from filing a claim altogether. At The Motorcycle Law Group, we know how to fight back against the insurance company’s efforts to underpay your claim.

How The Firm That Rides® Can Help

Since 1990, our firm has been standing up for the rights of injured motorcyclists. As avid bikers themselves, our Savannah motorcycle accident attorneys understand what you are going through, as well as the difficulties that lay ahead. We are here to help you navigate the legal system and fight to secure every cent you are owed for your medical expenses, lost wages, lost quality of life, and pain and suffering.

When you choose The Motorcycle Law Group, you get a team that is always accessible and available. Our clients receive our cellphone numbers so they can reach us any time they need us, including on weekends and holidays. We make it our goal to always call back the same day and are committed to taking care of our clients every step of the way.

Injured in a motorcycle accident in Savannah or the surrounding areas? Call us today at (912) 355-7182 or contact us online for a free consultation.