Serious Injuries Caused by Motorcycle Accidents

Georgia Motorcycle Accident Attorney

Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer Stephen M. Ozcomert has successfully represented motorcycle accident victims for over 20 years. With offices in Atlanta and Decatur, Mr. Ozcomert focuses on guiding injured riders through the legal aftermath of a crash. Motorcycle accidents often result in devastating, life-altering injuries that threaten a family’s future. Mr. Ozcomert can help you recover the compensation you deserve.

Serious Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle riders face a disproportionately higher risk of injury or death in a crash. Due to low visibility and greater exposure to outside forces, riders often absorb the brunt of the impact, resulting in serious injuries. Nearly 200,000 motorcycle-related injuries require emergency treatment each year, and many are fatal. Despite constantly escalating injury and death rates, motorcycles remain popular, with sales rising every year. Sadly, the highest death and injury rates occur among the youngest riders, or those between 20 and 24 years of age. Because young riders are often inexperienced and more prone to high-risk behavior, they remain at the greatest risk of harm. Do not hesitate to contact Atlanta fatal motorcycle crash attorney Stephen M. Ozcomert if you or someone you love has been seriously injured in a motorcycle accident.

Serious Motorcycle Injuries

Although resilient, the human skeleton is not meant to withstand the force of 40 tons of steel. The average weight of trucks and larger vehicles does not account for the impact they exert when in motion. Even at low velocities, cars and tractor-trailers hit motorcyclists with exponentially greater force, frequently causing multiple catastrophic injuries. Serious motorcycle injuries may include:

• Deep burns
• Blunt trauma
• Dislocated hips
• Fractured pelvis
• Internal bleeding
• Amputation, coma
• Crushed torso, trunk
• Traumatic brain injury
• Scarring, disfigurement
• Damage to spinal column
• Permanent loss of function
• Cervical (neck) nerve lesion
• Loss of sensory, motor ability
• Cranial (subdural) hemorrhage
• Paralysis, cognitive impairment

When non-fatal, these injuries become the new reality with which accident victims must live. They cause life-altering changes that can seriously diminish quality of life, affecting everything from self-care to supporting dependents. These injuries often lead to extensive time off work and even loss of employment. Coupled with medical bills, they can cause financial ruin.

Liability for Serious Injuries

The Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) is designed to compensate injured victims after an accident. In order to prevail, claimants must show that a driver’s careless conduct directly caused their harm. Conduct constituting negligence may range from intentionally hostile acts to innocent but reckless mistakes. Driving while tired, drunk, distracted, or otherwise impaired can violate a driver’s legal duty to riders, potentially resulting in financial liability for:

• Lost income
• Hospital costs
• Future earnings
• Medical expenses
• Loss of relationship
• Follow-up treatment
• Rehabilitative therapy
• Wrongful death benefits
• Mental pain and suffering

Georgia has enacted an additional law affecting how car accidents are settled out of court. OCGA §9-11-67.1 places certain restrictions on making settlement “demands” prior to filing a personal injury or wrongful death claim. Because settlements are the most common way to resolve claims, ask an experienced lawyer how this new law could affect you.

Compensation for Injury

If you were seriously injured in a motorcycle collision, Atlanta personal injury attorney Stephen M. Ozcomert can help. For over 20 years, Mr. Ozcomert has been devoted to obtaining the most favorable outcomes possible through settlement or trial. Let him handle difficult negotiations with insurance handlers and the negligent parties who are responsible for your serious motorcycle accident injury. Call (404) 370-1000 for a free consultation or contact us online.