Suffering After a Bad Motorcycle Accident? Our Lawyers At Horst Shewmaker Are Here To Help
Motorcycle accidents are a serious concern on the roads of Georgia, posing significant risks to riders. Unlike drivers of cars or trucks, motorcyclists lack the protective features of enclosed vehicles such as airbags, seatbelts, or a steel frame. This leaves motorcyclists exposed to the elements and vulnerable to severe injuries in the event of an accident.
At Horst Shewmaker, our legal team specializes in representing motorcycle accident victims, understanding the unique challenges they face. As experienced motorcycle accident lawyers, we work diligently to ensure that our clients receive the settlement they are entitled to after a collision. Our goal is to alleviate the financial and emotional burdens that follow an accident, allowing you to focus on your recovery.
Why Roads Are Deadly for Motorcycle Riders
Motorcyclists face disproportionately high risks on the road compared to other motorists. Without the physical protection of larger vehicles, the injuries motorcyclists suffer in accidents are often far more serious. There are several factors contribute to the heightened danger for motorcyclists:
- Lack of Visibility: Motorcycles are smaller and more difficult for other drivers to see, especially in blind spots. This often leads to accidents when drivers change lanes or make turns without checking thoroughly for motorcyclists.
- Road Hazards: Potholes, debris, and uneven pavement that may be minor inconveniences for cars can be life-threatening for motorcyclists. These hazards can cause riders to lose control, leading to severe accidents.
- Distracted Driving: With the rise of texting, in-car technology, and other distractions, drivers who aren’t paying attention pose a significant threat to motorcyclists. Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents involving motorcycles.
- Speeding: High speeds reduce reaction times and significantly increase the severity of any crash. For motorcyclists, the lack of protection means that even a minor high-speed collision can result in life-altering injuries.
- Weather Conditions: Rain, wind, and fog can make roads slippery and reduce visibility, making motorcycle riding in Georgia particularly hazardous during inclement weather.
Common Injuries Caused By Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents often result in serious, life-changing injuries due to the lack of physical protection for riders. Some of the most common injuries include:
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBIs): Even with a helmet, motorcyclists are at risk of suffering traumatic brain injuries in a crash. TBIs can lead to long-term cognitive, emotional, and physical impairments.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: Spinal cord injuries are among the most devastating outcomes of motorcycle accidents, potentially resulting in partial or total paralysis. These injuries often require extensive and lifelong medical care.
- Broken Bones and Fractures: Motorcycle riders frequently sustain multiple fractures in their legs, arms, and ribs due to the impact of a crash. These injuries can require surgeries, rehabilitation, and a long recovery period.
- Road Rash: When a rider is thrown from their motorcycle, they can slide across the pavement, causing severe abrasions known as road rash. This injury can lead to infections, scarring, and even nerve damage.
- Internal Injuries: Internal injuries, such as damage to organs or internal bleeding, may not be immediately apparent but can be life-threatening. These injuries often require emergency medical treatment and ongoing care.
How Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Fight for You
At Horst Shewmaker, our motorcycle accident lawyers understand the unique challenges riders face—from biased insurance companies to severe injuries. Our legal team provides comprehensive support for motorcycle accident victims, combining aggressive advocacy with compassionate guidance. Our experienced motorcycle accident attorneys handle every aspect of your legal case while you focus on healing.
Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Maximize Your Settlement
Motorcycle accidents often result in catastrophic injuries requiring emergency care, surgeries, and ongoing rehabilitation. Medical bills can quickly reach hundreds of thousands of dollars. Our motorcycle accident lawyers secure a settlement covering all medical expenses—past, present, and future. We negotiate legal payment arrangements with providers, ensuring mounting bills don’t force inadequate settlements. Our attorneys document every expense and calculate your full long-term care costs.
We Battle Insurance Companies That Treat Motorcyclists Unfairly
Insurance adjusters often assume riders are reckless regardless of circumstances, offering lowball settlements or denying claims based on stereotypes. Our motorcycle accident attorneys build compelling legal cases with accident reconstruction, witness testimony, and expert analysis proving the at-fault party’s negligence. Our lawyers handle all insurance communication while aggressively advocating for a full settlement under Georgia law.
Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Handle the Legal Paperwork for Your Case
Navigating Georgia’s complex legal system feels overwhelming while dealing with pain and financial uncertainty. At Horst Shewmaker, our motorcycle accident lawyers handle every legal aspect so you’re never alone. We explain your legal rights clearly and provide experienced legal guidance for informed decisions about your future.
Types of Compensation Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Get for You
At Horst Shewmaker, our motorcycle accident lawyers fight to recover all economic and non-economic losses you’re entitled to under Georgia law. Our legal team ensures you receive full compensation for the physical pain, emotional distress, and financial strain caused by your accident.
Medical Expenses: Our lawyers secure a settlement covering immediate care including emergency room visits, ambulance fees, and diagnostic tests. We pursue compensation for surgical procedures, hospital stays, and rehabilitation services like physical therapy. For permanent injuries, our legal team calculates future medical costs including ongoing treatments and medications. Compensation also covers assistive devices like wheelchairs and prosthetics, plus necessary home modifications. Our motorcycle accident lawyers document all past, present, and future medical needs for full legal compensation.
Lost Wages and Loss of Earning Capacity: Our attorneys pursue compensation for all income lost during recovery and calculate future earning capacity losses from permanent disabilities. If you cannot return to your previous career, we seek compensation for job retraining costs. Our motorcycle accident lawyers ensure lost wages and future income losses are thoroughly calculated for fair legal compensation.
Pain and Suffering: Our motorcycle accident lawyers secure a settlement for physical pain including chronic pain and nerve damage. We pursue compensation for emotional distress such as anxiety, depression, and PTSD from the accident. Loss of enjoyment compensation covers inability to participate in activities you once enjoyed. Our lawyers work with medical experts to document the accident’s full impact on your well-being.
Property Damage: Compensation includes motorcycle repair or replacement based on full market value for damaged or totaled bikes. We also recover costs for personal belongings including helmets, riding gear, and electronics damaged in the accident. Our motorcycle accident lawyers ensure all property damage is included in your legal claim.
Wrongful Death: When motorcycle accidents result in fatalities, our lawyers help families pursue wrongful death claims covering funeral expenses, loss of financial support, and loss of companionship. At Horst Shewmaker, our lawyers handle wrongful death cases with compassion, securing justice and a full legal settlement for grieving families.
Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Accidents in Georgia
How Does Georgia’s Comparative Negligence Law Affect My Motorcycle Accident Claim?
Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence rule—you can recover damages if you’re less than 50% at fault, but your settlement is reduced by your fault percentage. For example, if you’re 20% at fault in a $100,000 case, you’d receive $80,000. If you’re 50% or more at fault, you recover nothing. Insurance companies often try to shift blame to motorcyclists, so having a skilled motorcycle accident lawyer from Horst Shewmaker is crucial to protect your legal rights and maximize your recovery.
What Is Georgia’s Statute of Limitations for Filing a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit?
Georgia’s statute of limitations for motorcycle accident claims is two years from the accident date. Missing this legal deadline means losing your legal right to a settlement. Don’t wait—evidence disappears and building a strong case takes time. A motorcycle accident lawyer at Horst Shewmaker can immediately begin investigating your claim and ensuring all legal deadlines are met.
What Is Georgia’s Helmet Law for Motorcyclists?
Georgia law requires all motorcycle riders and passengers to wear helmets that meet federal safety standards—no age exemptions. While not wearing a helmet doesn’t automatically bar recovery, insurance companies may argue it increased your injuries, potentially reducing your settlement. Our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers can counter these arguments and prove the other party’s negligence caused your injuries.
Can I Use Car Insurance for a Motorcycle Accident In Georgia?
No—motorcycles require separate insurance policies in Georgia. Georgia law requires minimum liability coverage of $25,000 per person/$50,000 per accident for bodily injury and $25,000 for property damage. These minimums often don’t cover serious accidents. Our motorcycle accident lawyers can review all available insurance policies to identify every potential source of legal compensation for your injuries.
Horst Shewmaker: Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Ready to Get the Settlement You Deserve
Motorcycle accident claims are complex and require a detailed understanding of personal injury law, Georgia traffic laws, and the tactics used by insurance companies to minimize payouts. Attempting to handle a motorcycle accident claim without experienced legal representation can result in a lower settlement or no compensation at all.
At Horst Shewmaker, our legal team is experienced in handling the unique challenges that come with motorcycle accident cases. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will ensure that your case is handled with care, that your legal rights are protected, and that you receive the settlement you need to recover fully from your injuries. Whether you need help negotiating with insurance companies or require aggressive courtroom representation, we are here to fight for you.
Schedule a Free Legal Case Review of Your Motorcycle Accident Claim Today
Contact us today by calling (404) 400-1175, or filling out our online form for a free consultation. Our motorcycle accident lawyers will review your legal case and make a plan to help you get the settlement you deserve. Don’t go into this alone, let our lawyers handle the legal process, and you focus on recovering.
