Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Lawyers

Fighting Wrongful Death Claims for Those Left Behind

Motorcyclists love the freedom of riding. There’s nothing quite like slicing through the open air at highway speeds. That thrill, however, comes with a unique set of dangers, the biggest of which is the safety threat posed by drivers of cars and trucks who carelessly fail to share the road with vulnerable motorcyclists. Even at lower speeds, collisions between bikes and cars or trucks can be deadly for the rider.

If your loved one has died in a motorcycle accident involving another driver’s negligence or wrongful actions, meeting with an Atlanta motorcycle accident wrongful death attorney to discuss your legal rights and ensure you and the loved one you lost receive the justice and compensation you deserve.

Georgia Motorcycle Crash Statistics

In 2016, more than 170 motorcyclists died on Georgia roads, accounting for 11 percent of all traffic fatalities. These statistics come from the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety where predictive statistics estimate that we’ll see as many as 200 motorcycle-related deaths in 2018.

Interestingly, a recent report with preliminary numbers from 2017 indicates that Georgia motorcycle accidents are on a downward trend. Regardless, the danger of these accidents is still a real threat to motorcyclists, and too many lives are needlessly lost to negligence and wrongdoing.

Motorcycle accident deaths commonly result from two interrelated factors:

1.Car and truck drivers cutting off bikers or failing to yield the right of way

2.The lack of crash protections for motorcyclists

Fewer Safety Features Mean Motorcyclists Lose

Georgia law requires car and truck drivers to yield the right-of-way to motorcyclists at intersections, and to pay close attention when turning left or changing lanes so as not to cut motorcyclists off. Unfortunately, many fatal motorcycle-related accidents happen when motorists fail to follow these rules. Obviously, it’s also important for motorcyclists to remain alert to these dangers, but the law puts much of the responsibility on car and truck drivers because of how vulnerable bikers are in the event of an accident.

A motorcycle does not have the same safety features as a car or truck. There is no engine in front of a rider to absorb an impact, and no airbags or seat belts to keep them safe in a collision. Motorcyclists only have the protection of helmets, which Georgia law requires them to wear, and (if they can afford it) padded clothing that can reduce “road rash” injuries. Unfortunately, although helmets reduce the risk of death in a bike accident by 37 percent, they cannot protect a biker’s limbs or internal organs.

Motorcycle Accidents, Wrongful Death, and Georgia Law

When a car or truck driver’s negligence or wrongful actions—such as cutting a motorcycle off or failing to yield the right-of-way—cause the death of a motorcyclist in Georgia, that death can be considered wrongful. But that isn’t the only way a biker’s wrongful death can occur. If a motorcycle has a design or manufacturing defect that causes a fatal accident, then the bike’s manufacturer or parts supplier may be responsible for the motorcyclist’s tragic death. Likewise, if an accident occurs on a road that has not been well-built or well-maintained, the government agency responsible for road conditions may be responsible for the loss of life. An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can help you determine whether your loved one’s tragic death in a motorcycle accident was wrongful under Georgia law.

Defining Economic and Noneconomic Damages

A motorcyclist’s wrongful death may entitle his survivors or a representative of his estate to recover both economic and noneconomic damages from the parties responsible for the accident. Economic damages can include:

• • Medical bills

 

• • Funeral expenses

 

• • Out-of-pocket expenses

 

• • Loss of support and income

 

• Lost prospect of inheritance

Noneconomic damages include losses such as pain and suffering and loss of companionship. Though these damages are difficult to calculate, they make up an important recovery component for surviving family members. Also, in some wrongful death cases that involve particularly careless negligence, survivors may be able to recover punitive damages that seek to punish the responsible party and make sure that party’s conduct does not cause more wrongful deaths.

Put Insurance Adjusters and Litigation in the Hands of Your Legal Team

Often, a motorcyclist killed in an accident will carry insurance that covers some of the expenses related to his death. But, the last thing the biker’s family wants to deal with while grieving their loved one is an aggressive insurance adjuster trying to get them to accept a settlement or contesting the amount of their loss. The committed and experienced motorcycle accident attorneys at Hasner Law have a track record of handling negotiations with insurance companies on their clients’ behalf, so that clients and their families have the time and space to mourn their loss and recover.

The Hasner Law attorneys also believe in seeking justice from those responsible for wrongful deaths. We work tirelessly to ensure our clients receive fair compensation. When the insurance available isn’t enough to pay the compensation a biker’s family deserves, we work to identify other potentially responsible parties. We employ a highly-skilled staff dedicated to conducting investigations into motorcycle fatalities. And, we have a track record of standing firm in our demands on our clients’ behalf, whether that means standing up to insurance companies or pursuing the responsible parties themselves. When necessary, we’re ready to file lawsuits and take the wrongdoers to trial to protect our clients’ rights.

Atlanta, Georgia, Motorcycle Wrongful Death Attorney

There is nothing as painful as suffering financial losses on top of the loss of a loved one. What’s more, fighting the negligent or wrongful actions of others is a draining experience that adds insult to injury. Overcoming the emotional pain of wrongful death takes time, but easing your financial burden of medical bills, funeral expenses, and lost wages can help you focus on grieving and recovery.

If you have lost a loved one due to someone’s misconduct or negligence, please call us at 678-888-HURT (4878) or contact us online. Hasner Law has offices in Savannah and Atlanta. We serve clients throughout Georgia. There is no fee for your initial consultation and you’ll find we are easy to talk to and that we listen. También se habla español.