Main Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists are less visible to other drivers on the road, which increases their risk of being hit. Some of the negligent behaviors that can contribute to an accident between a motorcyclist and a car driver include the following:
- Speeding
- Reckless driving
- Driving while fatigued
- Driving while impaired by alcohol or drugs
- Sudden lane changes without signaling or checking blind spots
- Distracted driving, such as using a cell phone or electronic wireless device
However, not all collisions are due to negligence. Some hazards, such as poor weather conditions, mechanical errors, and road debris, are outside a driver’s control. A Richmond Hill lawyer is able to investigate a motorcycle crash case and determine the cause and at-fault parties.
Motorcycle Accidents Have a High Rate of Fatalities
Motorcycle collisions have a significantly higher chance of causing fatalities than regular passenger car accidents. In the event of death, the deceased’s family can file a wrongful death lawsuit under Georgia Code Annotated § 51-4-2.
The family can recover the full value of their loved one’s life when their death was caused by negligence or defective products. The parties permitted to bring a wrongful death claim include the following:
- Surviving spouse
- If no available spouse, children
- If no available spouse or children, the administrator of the decedent’s estate on behalf of the next closest family member
In addition to wrongful death actions, the executor of a decedent’s estate can file a survival action against the responsible party under Ga. Code Ann. § 9-2-41.
While wrongful death actions are brought to recover losses suffered by surviving family, survival actions allow the deceased’s estate to recover damages they were entitled to if they survived. Our motorcycle collision lawyers in Richmond Hill could help file a wrongful death or survival action on behalf of a client.
Recovering Compensation After a Motorcycle Wreck
A plaintiff must prove that the responsible party breached a duty of care to bring a successful personal injury lawsuit for negligence from a motorcycle accident.
The evidence required to prove the breach will depend on the facts of the situation and what caused the accident. For example, if the crash was caused by speeding or reckless driving, this can help prove a breach of care.
Police reports, records, and witness statements are just a few examples of evidence that can help establish that a driver was engaged in negligent behavior.
The breach of care must also be directly linked to the plaintiff’s injuries, which can be expressed as damages. Economic and non-economic damages are the losses a person incurs due to an accident. These can include medical bills, lost earnings, pain and suffering, and emotional trauma.
Call a Richmond Hill Attorney for Help With a Motorcycle Accident Case
You should not delay speaking with a Richmond Hill Motorcycle accident lawyer if you have suffered injuries in a crash. Taking too long to file a claim can result in the lawsuit falling outside the state’s two-year deadline for personal injury actions.
Hiring a competent attorney can help you understand your legal options after a motorcycle accident. Schedule a consultation with Chattahoochee Injury Law today.