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Our Norcross Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Can Help You

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident that was someone else’s fault, our personal injury attorneys are ready to help you seek the compensation you deserve. Our motorcycle accident attorneys will provide you with honest counsel and aggressive representation.

A man riding a motorcycle in Norcross, GA.

The Norcross motorcycle accident attorneys of Adamson & Cleveland, LLC are prepared to guide you through the complicated paperwork and legal process needed to pursue your claim for compensation and justice.

Our firm is known for providing personalized service and experienced legal representation to personal injury victims. We’ve recovered over $150 million for our clients, and we’re ready to get to work on your case.

If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident, you need an attorney who is going to give you the one-on-one attention you deserve. Our team of professionals will take the time to listen to your concerns, explain your legal options for pursuing compensation, and advise you and answer your questions at every step of the process.

We’ll do everything it takes to pursue the full compensation you are owed. We prepare every case for trial and are ready to fight for you all the way to a verdict, if necessary.

At Adamson & Cleveland, LLC, our motorcycle accident attorneys have over 25 years of experience in helping seriously injured clients like you. Call our Gwinnett County motorcycle accident attorneys or contact us online today to schedule a free consultation to learn more about your legal rights and options.

client stories

Kevin A. Adamson was great when I had my accident. He stayed at the hospital with me during my hospital stay and sat with my family each of my three surgeries. With Adamson & Cleveland, LLC, you get more than great legal representation, you get a friend for life!

How Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Can Help You

It’s a hard reality that motorcycle accidents often result in severe injuries to bikers. Motorcycles don’t provide protection like cars do in crashes. The devastating injuries that riders suffer can often be disabling or even fatal.

If you were injured in a motorcycle crash, your focus should be on healing and getting back to normal life – not on spending your time and energy collecting evidence about the accident, compiling paperwork of your medical treatment and lost wages, negotiating with the insurance companies and lawyers, and filing and pursuing a lawsuit.

The motorcycle accident attorneys at Adamson & Cleveland, LLC stand ready to take on the work of pursuing the compensation you deserve while you focus on your physical and mental recovery.

Why Are Motorcycle Crash Claims More Complicated?

An overturned motorcycle in Georgia.Pursuing a motorcycle accident claim can be more complicated for a rider than for a driver of a car or truck. Unfortunately, some people still have biases against motorcycle riders that paint them as reckless rebels who take unwise risks on the road. Insurance companies and attorneys for the at-fault driver often play on these prejudices to shift the blame to the biker and minimize what they have to pay on a claim.

At Adamson & Cleveland, LLC, we won’t let them get away with blaming the victim. We know most bikers are responsible and cautious. It’s often other drivers who are reckless around bikers. Many motorcycle accidents occur because car and truck drivers don’t give motorcycles their fair share of the road.

Motorcycle accidents also often result in severe, long-lasting injuries. Other parties may try to avoid liability for certain injuries if the rider was not wearing a helmet or other protective gear, even though what the biker was wearing had nothing to do with the cause of the crash. Because medical expenses can continue to accrue long after a motorcycle accident claim is resolved, it can be challenging to ensure that the injured rider receives compensation to fully cover their future expenses.

What If I Am Being Blamed for the Crash?

The other driver or their insurance company may blame you for the crash or argue that you are at least partially responsible for it. Georgia motorcycle law uses a contributory negligence principle, under which a factfinder at trial will determine the percentage of fault – if any – of each party in an accident.

If the plaintiff’s percentage of fault is less than the other parties in the accident combined, they will be entitled to recover damages. However, those damages will be reduced by the plaintiff’s percentage share of fault for the accident.

It is important to note that if you are found at least partially at fault for your motorcycle accident, you will not be able to recover the full amount of damages you’ve suffered. That’s why you need an attorney who will build a strong case to show that the crash was not your fault in the slightest.

“My experience with Adamson & Cleveland far exceeded my expectations. Working with Kevin was a pleasure, not a task. He was very personable and professional. He communicated with me regularly regarding the case and made me like part of the team.” – John King

What Compensation is Available for Injuries and Losses in a Motorcycle Accident?

As with most other personal injury claims, compensation for injuries suffered in a motorcycle accident fall into four primary categories:

  • Medical expenses – This compensation should cover all expenses from the date of your accident through the indefinite future for treatment for injuries suffered in the accident, including surgery, hospital bills, doctor’s visits, physical and occupational therapy, medications, medical equipment, and even modifications you make to your home to accommodate any disabilities arising from your injuries
  • Lost income – Not only should lost wages due to missed work be covered, but if you return to work and work fewer hours than before your accident or if you can’t return to your old job and have to find a new one that pays less, lost income compensation should cover the income that you’ll miss out on.
  • Pain and suffering – In addition to compensating you for the pain and mental anguish caused by your injuries, this compensation cover the loss of enjoyment of life, such as if you are unable to participate in sports and recreation activities that you enjoyed before your accident.
  • Loss of companionship – Your family may also be entitled to compensation for the loss of your companionship and services to the family and household caused by your injuries. When brought by a spouse, this claim is commonly known as loss of consortium

In addition, you might be entitled to recover two different types of damages:

  • Property damage – You may be able to recover compensation for damage to or destruction of your motorcycle in the accident.
  • Punitive damages – Georgia law requires a claimant seeking punitive damages to request such damages in their complaint and prove by clear and convincing evidence that the other party acted willfully, wantonly, or recklessly. These damages are rarely awarded.

Finally, a close relative was killed in a motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to bring wrongful death and survivorship claims on behalf of your deceased loved one, yourself, and your family.

What is Georgia’s Statute of Limitations on Motorcycle Accident Claims?

A motorcycle and car together after a wreck in Norcross. In Georgia, the law places a limit on the time you have to file a lawsuit for your motorcycle accident. This is known as the statute of limitations. For personal injury claims arising from a motorcycle accident, the statute of limitations is two years from the date of the accident. If you fail to file a lawsuit within this time, your claim will likely be dismissed.

If you need to bring a claim against the state, a county, or a city or town, you must also provide notice of your claim within a certain period of your accident before you can file a lawsuit. For claims against the state of Georgia, this notice period is 12 months from the date of your injury. For some counties and cities, the notice period can be as short as six months.

In some cases, the court can toll, or extend, the statute of limitations. If the injured party is a minor or legally incompetent person, the statute of limitations may not start until they turn 18 or their period of incompetency ends. A court may toll the statute of limitations if the defendant leaves Georgia and cannot be served with court documents.

What do You Need to Know about Dealing with Insurance Adjusters?

When talking to insurance adjusters, whether they’re from the other driver’s insurance company or your own, you should always remember that insurance companies are in business to make money. They can’t do that if they pay out large insurance claims, so they’ll offer you what they believe is the smallest amount of money that you’ll accept.

The hope is that the pressure of medical bills and being out of work will force you to take whatever cash you’re offered. Insurance adjusters may also try to argue that you were at least partially responsible for the accident to convince you to accept less money than you’re entitled to.

An experienced motorcycle accident attorney can advise you as to what your claim is truly worth and push back against the efforts to place blame for your accident on you.

Get a Free Consultation Or Call Now: 404-581-9100

Norcross Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Georgia

If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, you can protect your rights by seeking medical treatment as quickly as possible. Some injuries might not be immediately apparent and may take weeks or months to manifest themselves. However, medical professionals may be able to identify those issues in a thorough examination. They may even catch a life-threatening injury that had not yet shown symptoms.

It is critical to seek legal representation as soon as possible after the crash. If you must seek compensation through a lawsuit, you have a limited time to pursue that option before you lose your claim forever. In addition, the insurance companies may try to pressure you to accept a quick settlement that will pay you far less than what you’re entitled to. Having legal representation can help ensure that you don’t give up important legal rights for far less than they’re worth.

Common Types of Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Unlike passengers in cars, trucks, and buses, motorcycle riders are largely unprotected from a collision with other vehicles. Riders are often thrown from the motorcycle, leading to even more severe injuries caused by impacts with the ground or other objects.

Some of the common types of injuries victims of motorcycle accidents suffer include:

  • Traumatic brain injury – Both the initial impact and subsequent impact with the ground or other objects can put traumatic force on the brain, causing traumatic brain injuries ranging from a mild concussion to a coma.
  • Spine or spinal cord injury – A violent motorcycle accident can cause spine and spinal cord injuries, such as fractured vertebrae, herniated discs, or inflammation or tears of the spinal cord itself.
  • Paraplegia or quadriplegia – If your spinal cord is severed in a motorcycle accident, it can result in paralysis to portions of your body
  • Amputation – Violent impacts can crush or damage arms, legs, and other appendages beyond repair, resulting in amputation.
  • Burns – While road rash is sometimes considered a type of burn, you may also get burned by the motorcycle during an accident, especially if you get pinned under hot parts of the motor or if the motorcycle catches fire.
  • Lacerations – Road rash can cause lacerations of your skin, while impact with other objects can also cause deeper and more severe lacerations and expose deeper tissues or organs to damage.
  • Broken bones – The force of a motorcycle accident can break nearly any bone in your body. Fractures commonly occur to arm and leg bones, the collar bone, ribs, and even the skull.
  • Dislocations – The force of impact in motorcycle accidents can dislocate the joints in the arms and legs, including ankles, knees, wrists, elbows, and shoulders.
  • Tendon and ligament damage – The joints of arms and legs can be hyperextended during a violent collision, damaging or tearing the tendons and ligaments.
  • Whiplash and neck injuries – The sudden force of an impact or blow that tears the muscles or tendons in your neck cause whiplash or neck strain.
  • Road rash – If you are thrown from your motorcycle during an accident, the abrasions and scrapes that result are known as road rash.

Frequently Asked Questions About Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcyclists do not have a lot of protection between themselves, the road and other vehicles. As such, when another driver hits them, the injuries can be life-changing. The aftermath is also confusing. If you have been in a crash, you likely will have a lot of questions. The most frequently asked questions, and the answers to them, can be found below.

A Norcross motorcycle accident lawyer at Adamson & Cleveland, LLC, can answer any specific questions that you may have and help you to file a claim and pursue compensation that can help you to recover from your injuries. Call or reach us online today to learn more in a free consultation.

  • What makes motorcycle accidents different from other claims?
  • Does it matter whether I was wearing a helmet when the accident happened?
  • Is lane splitting legal in Georgia, and how could that affect my claim?
  • What should I do after a motorcycle accident?
  • What are common causes of motorcycle accidents?
  • How can I prove fault after a motorcycle crash?
  • Can you sue the motorcycle rider if you were hurt as a motorcycle passenger?
  • What happens if the insurance company blames me for the motorcycle crash?
  • What compensation is available after a motorcycle crash?
  • What is the statute of limitations for filing a motorcycle accident claim?

What makes motorcycle accidents different from other claims?

A few factors make motorcycle accidents different from other types of auto accident claims. First, the injuries tend to be more severe. So, they take much longer to recover from. Insurance companies also tend to be biased against bikers and try to blame them for their injuries. Overcoming this bias will be crucial as you pursue full and fair compensation.

Does it matter whether I was wearing a helmet when the accident happened?

Motorcycle helmets are required for all motorcyclists and passengers in Georgia. If you were not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident, it could be seen as a failure to mitigate your own injuries because you were not wearing the biggest form of protection available for bikers. However, you can still file a claim. However, the negligence of not wearing a helmet may mean that any compensation you receive may be reduced.

Is lane splitting legal in Georgia, and how could that affect my claim?

Lane splitting occurs when a biker rides a motorcycle between two lanes of traffic, often on the yellow or white line. Bikers most often do this when they are in stopped or slow-moving traffic in order to get further ahead faster. Lane splitting is not legal in Georgia. It is also prohibited in most state. Like failing to wear a helmet, lane splitting could reduce the amount of your claim. However, if the act of lane splitting caused the crash, you may be unable to claim any compensation.

What should I do after a motorcycle accident?

After a motorcycle accident, you should first remove yourself and your bike from the road, if possible, and call 911. Do not remove your helmet or any other gear. Your spine may have suffered damage. So, moving it is risky. Wait for the paramedics to arrive on the scene so they can administer medical treatment and determine how to remove your helmet. Before leaving the scene, exchange information with other motorists, including your names, contact information, driver’s license information and insurance information. After leaving the scene, call a lawyer that can help you to file a claim for compensation.

What are common causes of motorcycle accidents?

Although any negligent action can cause a motorcycle accident, some causes of these crashes are more common than others. They include:

  • Unsafe lane changes
  • Speeding
  • Dooring
  • Sudden stops
  • Impaired driving
  • Left turn accidents
  • Road conditions
  • Defective motorcycles or parts.

As we have seen at Adamson & Cleveland, LLC, negligent drivers cause most motorcycle accidents. However, when manufacturers and government entities are negligent, injured bikers can file a claim against them as well.

How can I prove fault after a motorcycle crash?

To be successful with your claim, you must prove someone else was at fault. Taking pictures at the accident scene can provide important evidence that can help to establish fault. Other forms of evidence include video surveillance footage, eyewitness statements, medical records and expert witnesses. When you work with a lawyer at Adamson & Cleveland, LLC, we can collect this evidence for you. We may use legal tools such as subpoenas to collect even more evidence.

Can you sue the motorcycle rider if you were hurt as a motorcycle passenger?

If you were riding as a passenger on a motorcycle, and the operator caused a crash, you can file a claim for compensation. Many people are hesitant to do this because the biker is often their friend. They do not want to sue the person. However, you likely will not have to file a lawsuit against the operator of the motorcycle, personally. Instead, you can claim compensation by filing a claim with his or her insurance company.

What happens if the insurance company blames me for the motorcycle crash?

The insurance company is likely to at least partially blame you for the crash so it can avoid paying out more compensation. This is one reason you should work with a lawyer when filing a claim. A lawyer can refute those claims and present evidence to establish that another driver was to blame for the crash.

What compensation is available after a motorcycle crash?

The compensation available after a motorcycle accident is known as damages, and there are many common types available. These damages include medical expenses, lost income, loss of earning capacity, pain and suffering and loss of enjoyment of life. You can claim any losses you incurred as a result of the crash.

What is the statute of limitations for filing a motorcycle accident claim?

In Georgia, the statute of limitations, or time limit, for filing a claim is two years from the date of injury. If you file a claim after this time limit has expired,  you will likely forfeit your right to compensation.

Get Help from an Experienced Georgia Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

After a motorcycle accident, it is crucial that you speak to a Norcross motorcycle accident lawyer at Adamson & Cleveland, LLC. We will conduct a full investigation to determine who was at fault for your crash, and we will work hard to hold the insurance company accountable for paying the full amount of compensation you deserve. Contact us to arrange a free consultation with one of our attorneys and to learn more about how we can help with your case.

Contact a Norcross Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Can Help You

After a motorcycle accident, health worries are compounded by the financial pressures of medical expenses and lost wages. The Gwinnett County motorcycle attorneys of Adamson & Cleveland, LLC stand ready to provide you with the diligent, compassionate representation you need during this difficult time.

We know that your case is unique, and we strive to provide you the individualized attention you deserve.

Contact us today for a free consultation to learn more about how our motorcycle accident attorneys can help you seek the compensation you deserve.

experienced motorcycle accident lawyers helping a client