If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Norcross that was someone else’s fault, our motorcycle accident attorneys are ready to help you seek the compensation you deserve. Our Norcross motorcycle accident lawyers will provide you with honest counsel and aggressive representation.
The Norcross motorcycle accident attorneys of Kevin A. Adamson, P.C. are prepared to guide you through the complicated paperwork and legal process needed to pursue your claim for compensation and justice.
Our motorcycle accident law firm is known for providing personalized service and experienced legal representation to motorcycle injury victims. We’ve recovered over $150 million for our clients, and we’re ready to get to work on your case.
We Have Some of the Best Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Norcross
If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle crash, you need a motorcycle accident attorney who is going to give you the one-on-one attention you deserve. Our team of professionals will take the time to listen to your concerns, explain your legal options for pursuing compensation, advise you, and answer your questions at every step of the process.
We’ll do everything it takes to pursue the full compensation you are owed. We prepare every case for trial and are ready to fight for you all the way to a verdict, if necessary.
At Kevin A. Adamson, P.C., our Norcross motorcycle accident attorneys have over 25 years of experience in helping seriously injured clients like you. Call our Norcross motorcycle accident lawyers or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation to learn more about your legal rights and options.
How Our Norcross Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Can Help You
It’s a hard reality that motorcycle wrecks often result in severe injuries to bikers. Motorcycles don’t provide protection like cars do in crashes. The devastating injuries that riders suffer can often be disabling or even fatal.
If you were injured in a motorcycle crash in Norcross, your focus should be on healing and getting back to normal life – not on spending your time and energy collecting evidence about the accident, compiling paperwork about your medical treatment and lost wages, negotiating with the insurance companies and lawyers, and filing and pursuing a lawsuit.
The Norcross motorcycle accident attorneys at Kevin A. Adamson, P.C. stand ready to take on the work of pursuing the compensation you deserve while you focus on your physical and mental recovery.
Why Are Motorcycle Crash Claims More Complicated?
Pursuing a motorcycle accident claim can be more complicated for a rider than for a driver of a car or truck. Unfortunately, some people still have biases against motorcycle riders that paint them as reckless rebels who take unwise risks on the road. Insurance companies and attorneys for the at-fault driver often play on these prejudices to shift the blame to the biker and minimize what they have to pay on a claim.
The motorcycle accident attorneys at Kevin A. Adamson, P.C. won’t let them get away with blaming the victim. We know most bikers are responsible and cautious. It’s often other drivers who are reckless around bikers. Many motorcycle accidents occur because car and truck drivers don’t give motorcycles their fair share of the road.
Motorcycle accidents also often result in severe, long-lasting injuries. Other parties may try to avoid liability for certain injuries if the rider was not wearing a helmet or other protective gear, even though what the biker was wearing had nothing to do with the cause of the crash. Because medical expenses can continue to accrue long after a motorcycle accident claim is resolved, it can be challenging to ensure that the injured rider receives compensation to fully cover their future expenses.
What If I Am Being Blamed for the Crash?
The other driver or their insurance company may blame you for the crash or argue that you are at least partially responsible for it. Georgia motorcycle law uses a contributory negligence principle, under which a factfinder at trial will determine the percentage of fault – if any – of each party in an accident.
If the plaintiff’s percentage of fault is less than the other parties in the accident combined, they will be entitled to recover damages. However, those damages will be reduced by the plaintiff’s percentage share of fault for the accident.
It is important to note that if you are found at least partially at fault for your Norcross motorcycle accident, you will not be able to recover the full amount of damages you’ve suffered. That’s why you need a motorcycle accident attorney who will build a strong case to show that the crash was not your fault in the slightest.
Types of Injuries that are Commonly Sustained in Motorcycle Accidents
- Head injuries: Head injuries are the most common type of injury sustained in motorcycle accidents. These injuries can range from mild concussions to fatal brain injuries. Concussions are a type of traumatic brain injury that can cause a variety of symptoms, including headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and memory loss. In more severe cases, concussions can lead to coma or death. Brain injuries can also cause long-term problems, such as difficulty concentrating, memory problems, and mood swings.
- Spinal cord injuries: Spinal cord injuries can cause paralysis, numbness, and other serious problems. The spinal cord is a bundle of nerves that runs from the brain down the back. It controls movement, sensation, and other bodily functions. Spinal cord injuries can occur when the spine is fractured or dislocated. The severity of the injury will depend on the location and extent of the damage to the spinal cord.
- Broken bones: Broken bones are another common type of injury sustained in motorcycle accidents. These injuries can range from minor fractures to compound fractures. A compound fracture is a break in the bone that exposes the bone to the outside. Broken bones can cause pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the injured area. In some cases, broken bones may require surgery to repair.
- Internal injuries: Internal injuries can include organ damage, bleeding, and other serious problems. Internal injuries can occur when the force of an impact causes organs to be crushed or ruptured. Internal injuries can be life-threatening and may require surgery to repair.
These are just a few of the types of injuries that can be sustained in motorcycle accidents. The severity of an injury depends on many factors, including the speed of the vehicles involved, the type of motorcycle, and the safety gear worn by the rider. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, it is important to seek medical attention immediately.
What Compensation Is Available for Injuries and Losses in a Norcross Motorcycle Accident?
As with most other personal injury claims, compensation for injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident falls into four primary categories:
- Medical expenses – This compensation should cover all expenses from the date of your accident through the indefinite future for treatment for injuries suffered in the accident, including surgery, hospital bills, doctor’s visits, physical and occupational therapy, medications, medical equipment, and even modifications you make to your home to accommodate any disabilities arising from your injuries
- Lost income – Not only should lost wages due to missed work be covered but if you return to work and work fewer hours than before your accident or if you can’t return to your old job and have to find a new one that pays less, lost income compensation should cover the income that you’ll miss out on.
- Pain and suffering – In addition to compensating you for the pain and mental anguish caused by your injuries, this compensation covers the loss of enjoyment of life, such as if you are unable to participate in sports and recreation activities that you enjoyed before your accident.
- Loss of companionship – Your family may also be entitled to compensation for the loss of your companionship and services to the family and household caused by your injuries. When brought by a spouse, this claim is commonly known as loss of consortium
In addition, you might be entitled to recover two different types of damages:
- Property damage – You may be able to recover compensation for damage to or destruction of your motorcycle in the accident.
- Punitive damages – Georgia law requires a claimant seeking punitive damages to request such damages in their complaint and prove by clear and convincing evidence that the other party acted willfully, wantonly, or recklessly. These damages are rarely awarded.
Finally, if a close relative was killed in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to bring wrongful death and survivorship claims on behalf of your deceased loved one, yourself, and your family.
What is Georgia’s Statute of Limitations on Motorcycle Accident Claims?
In Georgia, the law places a limit on the time you have to file a lawsuit for your motorcycle accident. This is known as the statute of limitations. For personal injury claims arising from a motorcycle accident, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident. If you fail to file a lawsuit within this time, your claim will likely be dismissed.
If you need to bring a claim against the state, a county, or a city or town, you must also provide notice of your claim within a certain period of your accident before you can file a lawsuit. For claims against the state of Georgia, this notice period is 12 months from the date of your injury. For some counties and cities, the notice period can be as short as six months.
In some cases, the court can toll, or extend, the statute of limitations. If the injured party is a minor or legally incompetent person, the statute of limitations may not start until they turn 18 or their period of incompetency ends. A court may toll the statute of limitations if the defendant leaves Georgia and cannot be served with court documents. Contact our Norcross motorcycle accident lawyer today.
What Do You Need to Know about Dealing with Insurance Adjusters?
When talking to motorcycle insurance adjusters, whether they’re from the other driver’s insurance company or your own, you should always remember that insurance companies are in business to make money. They can’t do that if they pay out large insurance claims, so they’ll offer you what they believe is the smallest amount of money that you’ll accept.
The hope is that the pressure of medical bills and being out of work will force you to take whatever cash you’re offered. Insurance adjusters may also try to argue that you were at least partially responsible for the accident to convince you to accept less money than you’re entitled to.
An experienced Norcross motorcycle accident attorney can advise you as to what your claim is truly worth and push back against the efforts to place blame for your accident on you. Contact our Norcross personal injury lawyer today.
Here are a few resources for Norcross motorcycle accident victims:
- Local Law Enforcement: Contact the Norcross Police Department or the Gwinnett County Police Department to report the accident and seek guidance on the next steps to take.
- Hospitals and Medical Centers: If there are any injuries, it’s crucial to seek medical attention immediately. Local hospitals and medical centers in Norcross, GA, such as Gwinnett Medical Center or Emory Johns Creek Hospital, may provide necessary medical care.
- Support Groups: Consider joining support groups or organizations that provide assistance and guidance to motorcycle accident victims. They can offer emotional support, resources, and information on dealing with insurance claims and legal matters. You can search online for local or regional support groups in Georgia.
- Insurance Companies: Contact the relevant insurance companies involved in the accident. Report the incident and initiate the claims process. If you’re unsure about the insurance policies or need assistance, consider consulting with an attorney.
- Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT): The GDOT website may provide information on road safety, accident statistics, and resources for accident victims. They may also have details about reporting accidents and obtaining accident reports.