Motorcycles: they offer incredible fun, a rush of adrenaline…and absolutely no protection from other vehicles that share the road with you. The same thrill that allows for the rush of wind around you as you ride can also leave you in significant danger during a motorcycle accident. When you suffer injuries in a motorcycle accident, you need a Alpharetta lawyer who provides a high level of compassion alongside a deep understanding of exactly what legal recourse you have for your injuries. Motorcycle accidents can leave you struggling to return to your everyday life—and you need a Alpharetta lawyer who understands what ordinary people need when they face the consequences of an accident.
Here are the laws regarding required motorcycle equipment:
- Helmets are required for all riders;
- Eye protection is required for all riders;
- Daytime headlight use is required;
- If riding with a passenger, a passenger seat and footrest are required;
- Helmet speakers may only have one earphone;
The number of motorcycle injuries being treated in emergency rooms has increased by over 40 percent over the last 15 years. Furthermore, the US Department of Transportation noted over a 100 percent increase in motorcycle fatalities over this period. Those on motorbikes are 35 times more likely to be in a deadly wreck than those driving cars. While it is true that there are more motorcycles on the road today, it is also the case that safety practices meant to protect us are not always followed. The actions of one or several negligent people could result in a horrible motorcycle accident for you or someone you love.
Some injuries that you can be facing after a motorcycle accident might include:
- Neck and back injuries
- Broken and fractured bones
- Cuts and lacerations
- Burns and skin damage often called road rash
- Organ damage
- Amputations
- Torn ligaments and damaged joints
- Nerve damage
- Death
How Much Can You Get from Your Motorcycle Accident?
The funds you can recover following a motorcycle accident will vary. The extent of your injuries, how much they limit your life, and even the other party’s insurance policy and its limits can all impact the full compensation you receive. However, most accident victims ask for several common forms of compensation in a claim.
Medical expenses. If you suffered serious injuries, you might find yourself dealing with equally serious medical bills. As you add up your medical expenses, include:
- Ambulance transport
- Emergency room bills
- Physician bills, including ongoing visits
- Durable medical equipment
- Your hospital stay
- Alterations to your home for permanent or long-term injuries
- Physical therapy
Pain and suffering. Often, insurance companies use a scale to determine pain and suffering based on your medical expenses and other financial losses associated with the accident. A motorcycle accident attorney Alpharetta however, can help explain the full extent of your pain and suffering to the insurance company. You might, for example, miss out on much-anticipated activities or find yourself severely limited in what you can do as well as suffering from the physical pain associated with your injury.
Lost work. Injuries do not just leave you hurting. They may also limit your ability to work, both short-term and long-term. You may need to miss work for a variety of reasons during your recovery:
- Inability to complete your job responsibilities, either due to pain or weakness or due to inability to focus from traumatic brain injury
- Doctor’s appointments
- Physical therapy
In addition to missed time at work in the immediate aftermath of the accident, you may struggle to return to your job in its former capacity even after you make a recovery. In this case, you can seek lost income potential as part of the compensation provided by the insurance company after your motorcycle accident.