An Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer understands that one of the most common excuses drivers give after a crash is, “I didn’t see the motorcycle.” Insurance companies may use that excuse to shift blame onto the motorcyclist. At Hasner Law, we recognize it as a sign that the driver was not paying attention.
Failing to see a motorcyclist is not a valid excuse. It reflects a failure to drive responsibly. If you were injured by a negligent driver, our team is here to help you understand your rights and take the next steps forward.
Call Hasner Law PC today at 678-888-HURT (4878) for a free consultation.
Atlanta Truck Accident Guide
- How an Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at Hasner Law Can Help You After a Crash
- Challenging Bias Against Atlanta Motorcycle Riders in Insurance Claims
- Common Causes of Motorcycle Wrecks in the Atlanta Area
- Life-Altering Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents
- Understanding Your Rights Under Georgia Motorcycle Law
- FAQs for Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
- Speak with an Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
How an Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Lawyer at Hasner Law Can Help You After a Crash
After a motorcycle accident, you are often left managing two major challenges at once: your recovery and the insurance company’s effort to reduce or deny your claim. Insurers frequently rely on unfair assumptions about motorcyclists, suggesting that you were speeding or riding aggressively.
At Hasner Law, we respond to these claims immediately by building a case based on clear facts and reliable evidence. When you work with an Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer from our team, we take on the legal burden so you can focus on your health.
From the start, we send formal evidence preservation letters to all relevant parties. These notices require them to keep key materials such as cell phone records and any available video footage. We also collect your damaged motorcycle and riding gear, treating them as important pieces of physical evidence to be evaluated by professionals.
Our investigators move quickly to document the scene, whether the crash happened on Peachtree Road, the Downtown Connector, or another Atlanta roadway. They measure distances, look for skid marks or debris, and take detailed photographs.
We quickly identify and interview witnesses while their memories remain clear to ensure accurate testimony. We also handle all communication with the other driver’s insurance adjuster, managing their questions, responding to settlement offers, and disputing any attempts to shift blame using the evidence we collect.
With more than 80 years of combined experience helping injury victims across Georgia, our firm is committed to advocating for your right to seek the compensation you may be entitled to.
Challenging Bias Against Atlanta Motorcycle Riders in Insurance Claims
An experienced Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer knows that riders are often unfairly stereotyped. Insurance companies use these assumptions to protect their own interests, often trying to portray the rider as careless no matter what the facts show. One of our most important roles is to confront and correct those false narratives.
Addressing the Claim That You Were Speeding
One of the most common assumptions is that the motorcyclist was speeding. We counter this by obtaining data from the other vehicle’s onboard systems, including black box information that records speed and braking.
We also work with accident reconstruction specialists who analyze road conditions and impact points to estimate speeds. In many cases, this evidence shows that our client was driving at a safe and legal speed at the time of the collision.
Responding to Accusations of Weaving Through Traffic
Insurers often claim that the rider was weaving in and out of traffic. To respond, we locate and speak with witnesses who saw the moments before the crash and can describe your safe and lawful riding behavior.
We also gather available camera footage to confirm a consistent and predictable lane position. In many cases, this evidence proves the crash was caused by the other driver making a sudden or unsafe maneuver.
Our goal is to present you as a responsible rider who was following the rules of the road and was injured because someone else failed to do the same. We rely on evidence and clear communication to push back against bias and pursue the outcome your case requires.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Wrecks in the Atlanta Area
Most motorcycle crashes are not “accidents.” They are the predictable outcome of a car or truck driver’s inattention, misjudgment, or outright negligence. Our firm has deep experience handling claims arising from all types of crash scenarios in Fulton County and across the complex traffic network of metro Atlanta.
Negligent Left-Hand Turns
This is one of the most common and dangerous situations motorcyclists face. A driver turning left across traffic either doesn’t see the motorcycle or misjudges how fast it’s approaching.
The driver turns into the rider’s path, leaving little to no time to avoid a crash. These incidents often occur at busy intersections, such as Ponce de Leon Avenue and Monroe Drive.
Unsafe Lane Changes and Blind Spots on Atlanta Highways
The congested lanes of I-285, I-75, and I-85 can be especially dangerous for motorcyclists.
Drivers of cars and trucks who fail to check their mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes risk pushing a rider off the road or into another vehicle. While motorcycles are smaller and harder to see, that doesn’t excuse a driver’s failure to look carefully before merging.
Rear-End Collisions at High-Traffic Intersections
A rider stopped at a red light is completely vulnerable to a rear-end collision from a distracted driver. Drivers looking at their phones or simply not paying attention fail to stop in time, crashing into the back of the motorcycle. The rider is often thrown from the bike, leading to two separate impacts: one with the car and one with the pavement.
Road Hazards and Government Liability
Potholes, unmarked bumps, loose gravel, and slick surfaces from oil or debris may be minor issues for cars, but they pose serious risks to motorcyclists. In these cases, the at-fault party may not be another driver, but rather a government agency that failed to maintain the road or a construction company that left a hazardous condition.
Claims against government entities in Georgia often require formal notice within a shorter time frame, as outlined in the ante litem statute (O.C.G.A. § 36-33-5).
Life-Altering Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents
Without the protection of a car’s frame or airbags, motorcyclists often suffer serious injuries in a crash. These injuries can lead to long-term medical care, pain, and financial stress. At Hasner Law, we understand how deeply these outcomes affect every part of your life.
- Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI): Even with a helmet, riders can suffer concussions, memory loss, or severe brain damage. Long-term care is expensive, and symptoms can be permanent.
- Spinal Cord Injuries: A fractured spine can cause partial or total paralysis. Conditions like paraplegia or quadriplegia require lifelong medical support and major life adjustments.
- Road Rash: This is more than a scrape. Severe cases can involve skin loss, infection, and permanent scarring. Some require skin grafts and lead to emotional trauma.
- Crush Injuries and Amputation: Legs are often impacted in crashes. Fractures or severe soft tissue damage may result in amputation and long-term recovery needs.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) emphasizes that helmets play a key role in preventing serious injuries. When injuries do occur, they can lead to significant physical, emotional, and financial burdens. Our goal is to help you secure the potential compensation you need to manage what comes next.
Understanding Your Rights Under Georgia Motorcycle Law
Successfully pursuing a claim after a motorcycle accident means working within Georgia’s legal framework. Insurance companies will take advantage of any mistake, so it is critical to understand the laws that apply to your case.
Georgia’s Universal Helmet Law
Under Georgia law (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-315), all motorcycle operators and passengers must wear a helmet that meets safety standards. If you were not wearing one, you can still file an injury claim.
However, the insurance company may argue that your failure to wear a helmet contributed to your injuries. This could reduce the portion of your compensation related to head trauma.
An experienced Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer can work to show that the helmet issue is unrelated to other injuries, such as broken bones or spinal trauma, and seek to minimize any impact on your overall recovery.
The Importance of UM/UIM Coverage for Motorcyclists
Many drivers in Georgia carry only the minimum required insurance or none at all. If you suffer serious injuries, their policy may not cover your full medical expenses. This is where Uninsured/Underinsured Motorist (UM/UIM) coverage becomes essential.
It is part of your own motorcycle insurance and helps protect you when the at-fault driver cannot pay for the damage they caused. Our team can help you file a UM/UIM claim and handle communication with your own insurance company.
Georgia’s Modified Comparative Negligence Rule
Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence system under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33. This rule allows you to recover damages as long as you are found to be less than 50 percent at fault for the crash.
If a jury finds you to be 10 percent at fault, your compensation will be reduced by 10 percent. If you are found to be 50 percent or more at fault, you cannot recover anything. Reducing your share of fault is a critical part of building a strong legal case.
Time Limit for Filing a Motorcycle Accident Lawsuit in Georgia
In most cases, you have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury lawsuit, according to O.C.G.A. § 9-3-33. While this may seem like plenty of time, it passes quickly.
Evidence can be lost, witnesses may become unreachable, and memories begin to fade. Contacting a lawyer as soon as possible helps preserve your case and gives you the best chance to move forward with a strong claim.
FAQs for Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Lawyers
1. The insurance company is already blaming me. What should I do?
Do not argue or provide a recorded statement. These calls are often used to gather information that can be used against you. Politely decline and let them know your attorney will follow up. Then, contact us so we can handle all communication on your behalf.
2. How much is my case worth?
No lawyer can give you an exact value upfront. The outcome depends on your medical costs, lost income, long-term effects, and how your injuries have impacted your life. Our job is to gather the full picture and pursue the maximum compensation that may be available to you.
3. I wasn’t wearing a helmet. Can I still file a claim?
Yes. Not wearing a helmet may affect the portion of your claim related to a head injury, but it does not prevent you from recovering potential compensation for other injuries. We work to separate the damages and hold the driver accountable for their role in the crash.
4. How do you prove the other driver was at fault?
We use police reports, crash analysis, witness statements, video footage, cell phone data, and expert testimony to build a strong case. Our goal is to present clear evidence that leaves no doubt about what happened and why the other driver is responsible.
5. Should I accept a quick settlement offer?
Not without legal advice. Early offers are often low and made before the full extent of your injuries is known. Accepting one means giving up your right to future compensation. Let us review any offer before you sign anything.
Speak with an Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today
Motorcyclists often face more than just physical injuries after a crash. They also deal with assumptions and bias from insurance companies that may try to minimize what happened or place the blame on the rider. These tactics are common, and they can make an already difficult situation even more stressful.
At Hasner Law, our Atlanta personal injury lawyers are here to protect your rights, manage the legal process, and hold the responsible parties accountable. You do not have to go through this alone.
Call our Atlanta office at 678-888-HURT (4878) for a free, confidential consultation. We are ready to help.
Related Resources
- 7 Common Motorcycle Crashes in Atlanta and How To Avoid Them
- Do You Have to Wear a Motorcycle Helmet in Atlanta, GA?
- Do I Need Georgia Motorcycle Insurance?
- What Age Can a Child Ride on the Back of a Motorcycle in Georgia?
Hasner Law: Atlanta Injury & Workers’ Compensation Attorneys
2839 Paces Ferry Rd SE #1050
Atlanta, GA 30339
Ph: (678) 888-4878
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