Although many people like to ride motorcycles, it comes with great risk. Even if you follow all safety guidelines, such as wearing a helmet and driving responsibly, you may still be at risk of serious injury or death due to other negligent drivers. This is because motorcycles offer much less protection than cars, which are equipped with safety features like airbags and seatbelts, as well as a sturdy exterior to protect the occupants.
If a motorcycle crash has resulted in a serious injury, you should discuss your options with a dedicated personal injury attorney and potentially hold the negligent party accountable for your losses. Let a Stone Mountain motorcycle accident lawyer from Childers, Schlueter & Smith assist you with each step of the process.
Causes of Motorcycle Crashes
There are numerous factors that can contribute to a motorcycle crash. Poor road conditions, driver inattention, alcohol impairment, and excessive speeds can all lead to collisions. Motorists may also fail to maintain a safe distance from motorcycles or fail to check their mirrors before changing lanes, which can lead to rear-end or head-on collisions. In some cases, the accident may be the result of a design flaw or defect in the motorcycle itself, either in its manufacturing or maintenance.
Other factors that cause these collisions are unique to motorcycles. Many incidents, for example, occur when individuals in parked cars open their doors in the path of a motorcyclist, known as “dooring.” A Stone Mountain attorney could help you pursue legal action following any type of motorcycle accident.
Proving Negligence After a Crash
A Stone Mountain attorney must take certain steps in order to seek out compensation for your motorcycle crash injuries. Not every incident will result in a viable claim for compensation. You must prove all four elements of negligence to prevail at trial.
Duty of Care
You must be able to demonstrate that the defendant owed you a duty to keep you safe. This is often straightforward in motorcycle injury cases, as all drivers have a responsibility to operate their vehicles in a way that ensures the safety of all others on the road.
Breach of Duty
The second element that you must prove is a breach of the duty of care. To establish this, a lawyer must demonstrate that the defendant violated their obligation to ensure your safety. They can establish this by presenting evidence that the defendant took negligent actions like speeding or driving under the influence.
Causation
Third, you must prove that the defendant’s violation of their duty of care directly caused your injuries, usually with medical records or videos as evidence. Without this causal link, you may not be entitled to compensation.
Damages
Finally, you must show that the injuries you suffered in a motorcycle crash led to harm that can be compensated for. This could include things like lost income or medical bills.
Contact a Stone Mountain Motorcycle Accident Attorney for Guidance
Motorcycle collisions can result in catastrophic consequences that can impact more people than just the rider involved in the crash. Friends and family could also be directly impacted by a severe collision. If you were hurt and need to file a claim for compensation, do not try to pursue justice on your own. Please contact a Stone Mountain motorcycle accident lawyer and schedule a free consultation with a member of our team.
