Savannah Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you were injured in a motorcycle crash in Savannah, Georgia, you need a skilled personal injury lawyer. While you recover from your injuries, your attorney will protect your rights throughout the legal process. They will help you seek the compensation you need to pay your unexpected medical bills and cover your lost wages if you are off work due to your injuries.

At Spiva Law Group, we will vigorously pursue the justice you deserve if you were injured in a motorcycle collision that was someone else’s fault. Contact our office today to speak to a Savannah motorcycle accident lawyer in a free consultation.

What Are Common Injuries from Savannah Motorcycle Crashes?

According to the National Safety Council (NSC), even though less than 1 percent of vehicle miles traveled in the U.S. are motorcycle miles, nearly 15 percent of all traffic fatalities and 3.5 percent of injuries happen to motorcycle riders.

Severe injuries often result from motorcycle accidents. Motorcycle riders suffer catastrophic injuries because they do not have the protection of an enclosed vehicle on the road. Some common motorcycle injuries include:

• Head injuries – The type of head injuries that motorcycle accident victims suffer range from minor bumps on the head to traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Wearing a helmet is required in Georgia for motorcyclists and their passengers to significantly reduce the risk of severe head injuries.
• Abdominal injuries – A motorcycle accident can result in severe injuries to the rider’s abdomen, including the spleen or liver. Motorcyclists should seek medical treatment as soon as possible after a crash because these dangerous internal injuries are not always immediately evident after an accident.
• Face or neck injuries – Whiplash can happen to a motorcyclist in an accident when their neck “whips” forward and backward in the collision. Neck injuries can result in significant damage to the spinal cord, including paralysis. If a rider’s face is burnt or cut in the crash, they could suffer permanent scars and disfigurement as a result.
• Broken bones – Bone fractures can require surgical placement of rods, pins, and screws inside the fracture to stabilize the bone. Motorcyclists with broken bones often need extensive physical therapy and can be left with permanent impairment after a crash.
• Road rash – Road rash happens when a biker skids along the pavement. It can appear as severe, burn-like abrasions that can lead to infection, scarring, and even nerve damage. The type of clothing the rider wears and the bike’s speed at impact can affect the severity of the road rash.
• Spinal cord injuries – The most significant spinal cord injury is paralysis, whether it is total or partial. Spinal cord injuries often leave riders with extended hospital stays, intense physical therapy, and other types of ongoing treatment.
• Limb amputations – Losing an arm or leg can be one of the devastating, life-changing effects of a motorcycle crash. Because riders lack the protection of an enclosed vehicle, amputations are common motorcycle injuries.
• Chest injuries – Trauma to the chest in an accident can cause internal bleeding and organ damage to the rider’s heart and lungs. A motorcyclist’s lungs may collapse and be bruised in an accident.

What Causes Motorcycle Accidents in Savannah?

Factors contributing to motorcycle collisions in Savannah vary, but some common causes exist. According to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), some of the most common contributing factors in motorcycle accident cases include the following:

• Distracted drivers
• Speeding
• Fatigued drivers
• Drivers under the influence of drugs and alcohol
• Aggressive or reckless driving
• Manufacturing defects
• Poor vehicle maintenance

In a recent year, the Georgia Motorcycle Traffic Safety Fact Sheet showed that for every 100,000 registered motorcycles in Georgia, there were nearly 2,000 crashes. The report also showed a steady increase in motorcycle accident fatalities, with speeding contributing to 18 percent of fatal motorcycle crashes.

Although motorcycle riders are at risk for accidents caused by other drivers partly because of their vehicles, wearing helmets and inspecting their bikes before riding can reduce the risk of a devastating collision.

Where Do Most Motorcycle Accidents Occur?

Like any motor vehicle accident, motorcycle crashes can occur anywhere and at any time. From intersections to two-lane roads to freeways, an accident could easily occur if other drivers do not keep a proper lookout for motorcycles on the road.

In an intersection, motorcycles are vulnerable to motorists turning left across the intersection who fail to see an oncoming motorcyclist. Two-lane roads are particularly hazardous for motorcyclists because of the possibility of head-on collisions. A distracted driver not expecting a motorcycle in the area can veer into the opposite lane and cause catastrophic, if not fatal, injuries to a motorcycle operator and their passenger. Motorcycle accidents also frequently occur on freeways due to poor road conditions or other motorists merging onto the highway without checking for motorcycles.

Are Motorcyclists Required to Wear a Helmet in Georgia?

Georgia law requires all motorcycle riders to wear a helmet, regardless of whether they are operating the motorcycle or are a passenger. The helmet must comply with Georgia Board of Public Safety standards, which mirror the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards and Regulations (FMVSS). Georgia motorcyclists and passengers can buy helmets with a sticker showing they comply with FMVSS218.

What Can a Savannah Motorcyclist Do to Prevent an Accident?

Motorcycles are not equipped with seatbelts or airbags and do not have the steel frame of a vehicle to protect them in a collision. That leaves motorcycle riders susceptible to catastrophic accidents, causing ejection from their bikes or direct impact with another vehicle.

If you want to protect yourself while riding a motorcycle, always wear a helmet to protect yourself. To help prevent accidents, make sure you are road-ready. Before your ride, be sure to thoroughly inspect the bike by checking tire tread depth, testing the brakes, and confirming that your headlights and turn signals are functioning properly.

You must pass written and on-cycle tests to receive a motorcycle endorsement on your license. Taking a motorcycle ride education course is another way to ensure you have adequate instruction and experience before you hit the road.

While you can’t control other drivers’ actions on Georgia roadways, you can implement your own safety practices to prevent accidents and injuries.

How Do You Prove the Other Driver Was At Fault for an Accident?

To seek money from the party responsible for the accident and your injuries, you must establish their liability through available evidence. Each case is unique and requires different evidence. Your personal injury attorney will work to prove the other party’s fault through information they find when building your case, including:

• The crash report
• Photographs of the accident scene and vehicles involved
• Eyewitness testimony
• Video surveillance from traffic cameras and nearby businesses
• Accident reconstructionist reports

What Damages Can I Receive for My Savannah Motorcycle Accident?

If you were injured in a motorcycle collision, you are probably facing unexpected medical expenses. If someone else caused the accident, the at-fault party will be responsible for paying your losses. Your attorney will fully evaluate your losses to seek the maximum amount of recovery possible. They may advise that you are entitled to receive money for the following:

• Past and future medical expenses
• Lost wages
• Loss of future earning capacity
• Mental distress
• Pain and suffering

Is There a Time Limit in Georgia for Filing a Motorcycle Accident Claim?

Under Georgia law, you have two years from the collision date to file a motorcycle accident lawsuit. Failure to file your lawsuit before this deadline expires will likely result in the judge dismissing your case, and you will lose the opportunity to pursue compensation from the at-fault party in court.

Although two years may seem like a long time, your attorney needs this time to thoroughly investigate the facts and circumstances of the accident, evaluate the liability of all potentially responsible parties, and build a strong case on your behalf. That makes it critical to retain an attorney as soon as possible after the collision. When you hire a lawyer early in the case, they will obtain and preserve necessary evidence that may not be available later. They will also fully assess your injuries and their impact on your life, which is critical to seeking your best financial outcome.

Contact a Savannah Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

If you need a Savannah motorcycle accident attorney, call Spiva Law Group. We have the legal skills and experience to handle your case. Our personal injury attorneys are dedicated to offering you the personalized attention you need in the aftermath of a motorcycle crash. With an attorney from Spiva Law Group, you will receive the one-on-one attention our clients have come to expect.

We stand ready to serve as your legal advocate for the duration of your case and will help you seek the compensation you deserve. Contact our Savannah motorcycle accident lawyers today for a free consultation.