MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEY SERVING WOODSTOCK
Williams Elleby Howard & Easter can help you find the best motorcycle accident attorney for your Woodstock, Georgia case. Our firm is based in Kennesaw and we serve motorcycle accident victims throughout Cherokee County. We offer free no risk consultations so don’t hesitate to call us at 833-LEGALGA (833-534-2542) to see if you have a case.
Cherokee County is the perfect place to live, raise a family, and get outdoors. Opportunity and adventure abound when you are enjoying Lake Allatoona or riding your bike up Interstate 575. Sometimes these adventures turn into tragedy. This is especially true when a negligent motorist crashes into a motorcycle.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcycle rider deaths are overrepresented in traffic fatalities. Motorcycle crashes can cause serious injuries and death. In fact, one NHTSA study shows that motorcyclists are about 28 times more likely to die in a crash than passenger car occupants. When death and serious injury occurs after a Woodstock motorcycle crash, our experienced legal team stands ready to help crash victims and their families avoid financial disaster.
HOW DO I WIN A WOODSTOCK MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT CASE?
In order to win your Woodstock motorcycle accident case, you will need to prove 3 things:
- The at-fault driver was negligent,
- The at-fault driver’s negligence caused your injuries, and
- The amount of your damages.
There are numerous ways to prove the other driver was negligent. Sometimes proving fault is simple. For example, it may be as easy as presenting eyewitness testimony describing the wrong committed by the other driver. In other cases, proving negligence is more complicated. In tough cases, accident reconstruction experts may be needed to measure roadways markings and vehicle crush to estimate things such as speed and braking force.
DO I NEED TO SEE A DOCTOR AFTER A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT?
Regardless of the severity of your injuries, it is always a good idea to see a doctor after a motorcycle accident. This is important for two reasons:
First, most people experience an intense adrenaline rush after an accident. An adrenaline rush is a vital defense mechanism that helps us escape danger by decreasing the sensation of pain, temporarily increasing strength, and sharpening mental focus. Unfortunately, when the adrenaline rush masks pain, motorcycle accident victims may be unaware of potentially life threatening conditions like internal bleeding. Other common injuries after a motorcycle accident may be visible but they should not be ignored.
Second, medical testimony many be needed to prove that the accident caused your injuries. Estate of Roddy Lee Patterson v. Fulton-DeKalb Hospital Authority, 233 Ga. App. 706, 708, 505 S.E. 2d 232, 234 (1998) (Courts and juries need “a realistic assessment of the likelihood that the alleged negligence caused the injury or death.”) If you fail to see a doctor, you are putting your health and case at risk.
HOW WILL A WOODSTOCK MOTORCYCLE LAWYER HELP ME WITH MY INJURY CLAIM?
Good motorcycle accident lawyers are essential to protecting your rights. First, the lawyer can help you understand the value of your case as well as the benefits and risks of litigation vs. settlement. If a pre-suit settlement is preferred, the lawyer can gather all of the evidence need to present a settlement demand to the at-fault insurance company. There are several statutes in Georgia that should be followed when sending settlement demands. The most important is O.C.G.A. § 9-11-67.1 which sets forth the minimum requirements for putting the most pressure on the opposing insurance company.
For motorcycle accidents that happen in Woodstock, Georgia, the injured party has two years to file a lawsuit. Claims that are limited to property damage must be brought within four years of the date of the accident. An experienced motorcycle lawyer can help make sure your case is filed before these crucial deadlines.
A top notch motorcycle accident attorney will also know how to document the scene and property damage. The lawyer should interview crucial witnesses and secure their statements and testimony. He or she can also work with motorcycle crash experts to lock down the evidence needed to win your case.
Another area where an attorney can help is with reducing your medical bills. Settlement negotiations don’t just take place with the opposing insurance company. Your lawyer should contact your medical providers and try to negotiate a lower payment on your medical bills. Many times, an attorney can significantly increase your recovery by lowering the amount you must pay hospitals and doctors.
HIRING A TRIAL LAWYER FOR A WOODSTOCK MOTORCYCLE CRASH CASE
If you hire a trial attorney for your motorcycle accident case, he or she will be able to litigate your case in the appropriate Georgia court. For Woodstock cases, this is usually the State Court of Cherokee County. The litigation process is complicated. It involves extensive discovery, motions practice, mediation, trial, and sometimes an appeal. Make sure any attorney you interview is well versed in all aspects of the litigation process.
Attorneys Joel Williams and Chase Elleby are trial lawyers with years of experienced trying cases throughout the State of Georgia.
HOW MUCH DO WOODSTOCK LAWYERS COST?
Personal injury attorneys for Woodstock cases are usually paid a percentage of the recovery they are able to obtain in your case. This means there are no upfront costs or monthly bills. This is called a contingency fee agreement.
Lets look at an example: Assume you agree to pay 1/3 of the recovery to your Woodstock attorney after a motorcycle wreck. If the attorney is able to settle your case for $100,000.00, legal fees would be $33,333.33. Therefore, your net recovery would be $66,666.67 minus any litigation expenses or medical bills that must be paid from the settlement funds. The percentage charged varies from firm to firm and from case to case so be sure to ask before you sign on the dotted line.
A GOOD MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT LAWYER CAN MAKE YOUR LIFE EASIER
When you hire an experienced motorcycle lawyer for your Woodstock case, he or she can help ease your financial burden. Good Woodstock lawyers know that you will be busy trying to get better, attending doctor’s appointments, and taking care of work and family obligations. Dealing with the insurance company, gathering evidence, interviewing witnesses, and fighting with defense lawyers can take its toll on your life. The sooner you hire a highly rated lawyer after your Woodstock motorcycle accident the better off you will be.
If you would like to speak with a Williams Elleby Howard & Easter attorney with a successful track record, you can reach us by calling 833-LEGALGA (833-534-2542). You can also use our 24/7 chat service located near the bottom of your screen. All initial consultations are free and there is no risk to you. If you are unable to come to our office, please let us know and we will come to you.
