Newnan Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Motorcyclists lack the protection of an enclosed vehicle and are more vulnerable to serious injuries in a crash. If you have been hurt in a motorcycle accident that was someone else’s fault, contact Kam, Ebersbach & Lewis, P.C. as soon as possible. Our Newnan motorcycle accident attorneys can help you pursue the maximum compensation available under the law for your injuries.

Why Choose Our Firm?

Our experienced Newnan injury attorneys are tough advocates for injured motorcyclists.

We have unmatched results in motor vehicle accident cases, including more million-dollar settlements in Coweta County than any other law firm.
Our firm has seven out of 10 of the largest traffic crash recoveries in the county.
We operate on a contingency-fee basis, meaning you don’t pay us any legal fees until we settle or win your case.

Why You Need a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you have been injured in a motorcycle crash caused by the negligence of another, your best course of action is to consult with an experienced personal injury attorney right away. Motorcycle wrecks can cause serious injuries requiring extensive medical treatment and time away from work. Our attorneys have the knowledge, skills, and resources to help maximize your recovery for serious motorcycle accident injuries.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

The Insurance Information Institute (III) reports :

5,286 people were killed in motorcycle crashes in 2016.
The motorcycle fatality rate in 2016 was 60.90 per 100,000 registered motorcycles.
88,000 people were injured in motorcycle accidents in 2015, the most recent year for which injury statistics are available.
The motorcyclist injury rate in 2015 was 1,028 per 100,000 registered motorcycles.

Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycles are smaller, less visible, and less stable than four-wheeled passenger vehicles. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that approximately one-third of all multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes involve another driver turning into the path of the motorcycle. Common causes of motorcycle accidents include:

Cars turning left in the path of the motorcycle: Inattentive drivers making a left-hand turn fail to register an approaching motorcycle and turn directly into its path, cutting the motorcyclist off.
Unsafe lane changes: When a motorcycle is in a driver’s blind spot, failure of the driver to signal and do a head check can lead to a crash when changing lanes.
Following too closely: A rear-end collision that may be a minor accident when two passenger vehicles are involved can be fatal for a motorcyclist who is hit from behind.
Distracted driving: Drivers who are texting, talking on the phone, or otherwise distracted may fail to register a motorcycle in the roadway.
Driving under the influence of alcohol: Alcohol-impaired driving was involved in 1,454 fatal motorcycle crashes in 2017 and 1,425 in 2016.
Dangerous roadways: Potholes, uneven pavement, and debris or dead animals in the road can cause a motorcycle rider to lose control and crash.

Damages You Can Recover

After a serious motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligence, you may be entitled to recover compensation for your personal injuries. Damages you may be entitled to claim include medical expenses, lost wages, loss of earning capacity, and pain and suffering.

Statute of Limitations for Motorcycle Accident Claims in Georgia

In Georgia, the personal injury statute of limitations is two years from the date an injury occurs. This means that motorcycle accident victims in Newnan have a two-year window with which to file a lawsuit against the alleged negligent driver. Failing to do so will likely result in the motorcycle crash victim becoming unable to recover the compensation they are entitled to.

Additionally, there will almost certainly be insurance carriers involved in these cases. Each insurance carrier will have its own reporting deadline that the motorcycle accident victim needs to be aware of. It is crucial to file insurance claims quickly so that the claim does not get delayed or denied unnecessarily.

Determining Fault for a Motorcycle Accident in Newnan

Determining fault for a motorcycle accident collision in Newnan, GA, can be challenging. Just like any other vehicle accident, there will need to be an investigation into the incident. Evidence must be gathered. Some of this evidence may have been gathered at the scene of the incident, including photographs taken of the vehicles involved, injuries, causes of the crashes, traffic and weather patterns, etc. Additionally, there may have been eyewitnesses who can give statements about what they saw.

In the aftermath of a motorcycle accident in Newnan, an attorney will likely look for additional evidence, including video surveillance from nearby homes, businesses, or dash cams. If there were any criminal charges or traffic citations involved in the incident, an attorney will need to examine these and help put together a picture for the insurance carrier or a personal injury jury.

The ultimate goal is to show that the other driver owed the motorcyclist a duty of care and that they somehow breached their duty of care due to a negligent action. An attorney will work to show that this breach of duty led to the injuries and property damage and work to recover the compensation their client is entitled to.

Georgia Motorcycle Laws on Lane Splitting

It is illegal for motorcyclists to practice lane splitting in the state of Georgia. Lane splitting is when a motorcyclist travels down the center white line between two lanes of traffic going in the same direction. They typically do this to get through slower-moving traffic.

Lane filtering is a little bit different than lane splitting, and this refers to the motorcycle operator making their way through slower moving or stationary traffic at a stop light or when traffic is congested.

There have been debates about the safety of lane splitting and lane filtering. Research from the University of California Berkeley shows that lane splitting can be sage if it is done in traffic moving at 50 mph or less and so long as the motorcyclist does not exceed the speed of surrounding vehicles by 15 mph.

Both lane splitting and lane filtering are illegal in Georgia. Drivers doing this risk sustaining injuries because unsuspecting vehicle drivers could change lanes in front of them or open their doors into their path. Additionally, motorcyclists who split lanes could face traffic citations or criminal charges for reckless driving.

Contact Kam, Ebersbach & Lewis, P.C. Today

We believe that the party or parties that are responsible for motorcycle accidents should be held accountable for the injuries they cause. Contact our Coweta County personal injury lawyers to schedule a consultation, if you have been hurt in a motorcycle crash caused by someone else’s negligence.

Client Testimonial

These guys are very professional and straight forward, [I] have used them several times and am always happy with the results.
– Jawoodford