After a motorcycle accident in Savannah, you are not required to work with a motorcycle accident lawyer. However, there are many reasons to contact an attorney after a crash, even if you believe that your injuries are relatively minor. Even small cuts and scrapes can result in complications such as serious infections and permanent scarring. Also, it is not uncommon for some types of injuries, such as concussions and whiplash, to not show any symptoms until days, or even weeks, later.
A Savannah motorcycle accident lawyer can help in the aftermath of a crash in a number of ways. Below, one of our experienced attorneys explains what these are.
Knowledge of Personal Injury Law
Motorcycle accidents fall under a legal area known as personal injury law. While people may understand that they can hold responsible parties liable for their actions, they may not know all of the personal injury laws that will govern their case. For example, under Georgia’s comparative negligence law, accident victims can still claim compensation if they were less than 50 percent at fault for the crash. However, any damages they receive will be reduced by their percentage of fault.
Insurance companies often use accident victims’ lack of legal knowledge to reduce payouts. When an attorney is working on the case, insurers are aware that the tactics they often employ will not work and so, they are more likely to negotiate fairly.
Allow You to Focus on Your Recovery
There is little chance that anyone walks away from a motorcycle accident unscathed. After being involved in a crash on your bike, you will likely suffer some of the most serious injuries, including broken bones, traumatic brain injuries, and spinal cord damage. Recovering from these serious injuries is a long and challenging process. As you attend doctors’ appointments, receive treatment, and get the rest you need, you do not want to worry about handling the legal details of your claim or negotiating with the insurance company.
An attorney can take over all the details of your legal claim so you can focus solely on your recovery. You may also be suffering from emotional trauma and going through the claims process on your own will only add to your stress. An attorney will collect evidence, manage the paperwork, negotiate with the insurer, and overcome any challenge that may arise in your case.
You Can Obtain a Better Settlement
Working with a lawyer will result in a better settlement than going through the process alone. Accident victims are often unaware that anything they say throughout their case can be used against them. They may also not realize that saying something that is seemingly innocent can greatly reduce the overall damages they receive.
For example, you may tell the insurance company that you never saw the other driver coming. Although this may have been because the other motorist was driving recklessly and suddenly appeared behind you after weaving in and out of lanes, the insurer will use the statement to prove that you were not paying attention to the road.
Attorneys will not inadvertently say anything that will hurt your case. They are also experienced negotiators who are very familiar with the process. They will rely on these skills to obtain the full combination you need to cover your medical bills, lost income, and other expenses.
In addition to all of this, studies have shown that accident victims who are represented by an attorney obtain three times more compensation than those who are not. This is largely because insurance companies take cases more seriously when they know a lawyer is involved.
More Resources
Lawyers have many more resources they can tap into when working on a personal injury case. They know how to conduct investigations to prove who was at fault, and the evidence to collect to prove your case. They also have an extensive network of experts they can reach out to help prove your case. For example, an accident reconstruction professional can also help prove how your crash occurred. Medical experts can also testify about your injuries and the impact they will have on your life now, and in the long-term.
Call Our Motorcycle Accident Lawyers in Georgia Today
If you have been hurt in a crash, you need legal advice. At Lawbike Motorcycle Injury Lawyers, our Georgia motorcycle accident lawyers can provide it to ensure you receive the full and fair settlement you are entitled to. Call us now at 706-406-6546 or contact us online to schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced attorneys.