Year-round beautiful weather and close proximity to many scenic routes mean bikers are often out on Savannah roads. Operating a bike is thrilling but can be dangerous – when a collision happens, you could suffer life-changing injuries.
The good news? If you were injured in a crash caused by someone else, you have the right to pursue compensation to pay your medical bills, lost income, and more. Rafi Law Firm is ready to help. Give us a call at (912) 461-6798 to schedule your free case consultation.
Steps to take after being in a crash
The moments after a motorcycle crash are chaotic and painful. Knowing the right steps to take can protect your health and your case if the at-fault driver challenges your claim.
1. Keep on your safety gear
It’s highly recommended that you wait for emergency services to arrive before removing your helmet; this could protect you from suffering additional head or neck injuries.
2. Call 911 and ask for police and an ambulance
Always call 911, even if the other driver tries to talk you out of it. Tell the dispatcher important information about the crash including the location, how many cars are involved, and any injuries or hazards you’re aware of.
The dispatcher will send paramedics and a police officer to the scene. EMTs are trained to identify the signs of injuries that might not be immediately visible or noticeable, so it’s recommended that you follow their advice regarding medical care, including being transported to the hospital.
3. Tell your side of the story to the responding police officer
When you give your statement to the police officer, try not to speculate about the cause of the collision or to fill in holes where you don’t know what happened. Stick to the facts because the officer will issue an accident report which can be a vital piece of evidence for your claim.
4. Gather evidence at the scene
If it’s safe and if you are physically able to do so, take your own photos and videos of the crash scene and note any potential CCTV cameras that could have recorded the collision. You should also collect the names and phone numbers of any potential witnesses. Following the crash, save your safety gear as its damage could be helpful evidence or could be used in accident reconstruction.
5. Notify your insurance company
Even if you don’t think you’re at fault, most insurance carriers require you to notify them of any crash involving your insured vehicle. But don’t say anything that could be construed as admitting fault like “I’m sorry” or “I didn’t mean to.”
6. Visit Urgent Care or your primary care physician
Prompt diagnosis gives you a better chance of full recovery. As an added benefit, the doctor’s visit creates documentation that the collision caused your injuries.
7. Meet with a Savannah motorcycle injury attorney to understand your legal options
A skilled attorney doesn’t just help you recover compensation for your financial losses – they can help you receive medical treatment and protect you against predatory or dishonest dealings from the other party and their insurance company.
Rafi Law Firm will handle the entire matter for you, from negotiating with the other driver’s insurance company to reaching a fair settlement or taking your case to trial if the insurer won’t provide you with reasonable compensation. As your legal advocate, we work hard to protect your rights and maximize the amount of your potential legal claim.
Make sure you file a claim in time
Under O.C.G.A. §9-3-33, the statute of limitations for filing a motorcycle accident lawsuit is two years from the date of the accident. If you don’t file before this deadline, then you forfeit your chance to seek compensation in court.
Possible damages you can claim
In a personal injury case, the injured person (the plaintiff) is entitled to collect damages which are the compensation for their financial losses. In Georgia, injured persons may recover economic and pain and suffering damages.
Economic damages
Economic damages are actual, quantifiable losses you’ve suffered such as:
- Hospital bills
- Aftercare required to help you regain physical function like surgery or physical therapy
- Medical costs for the medical care you’ll need in the future
- Lost wages from time missed at work because you were healing
- Loss of earning potential because your injuries render you unable to continue working either at all or in the same capacity
Pain and suffering damages
In Georgia, an injured person may be able to receive compensation for their physical and emotional pain and suffering. With the help of a skilled Savannah motorcycle accident lawyer, you may be able to recover for:
- Interference with normal living or enjoyment of life
- Loss of earning capacity
- Physical impairment
- Fear
- Shock
- Past and future actual pain and suffering
- Extent to which you must limit activities
- Past and future mental anguish
Emotional and lifestyle losses are just as real as physical injuries, but they’re more difficult to prove. That’s why you need to work with a skilled and trusted motorcycle crash attorney as soon as possible. In Savannah, that’s Rafi Law Firm.
Parties who may be liable for your injury
The driver who caused the accident is often thought to be the only person liable for your injuries, your Savannah motorcycle accident lawyer may find that other parties are also responsible and that you should seek compensation from them, too.
Depending on the situation, here are some of the other parties that might be responsible for your losses:
- Driver’s employer
- Auto manufacturer or designer
- Mechanic who worked on the vehicle
- Municipality responsible for operating public transportation if a bus is involved
- City for failing to maintain safe roads (if uneven pavement or a pothole was a factor)
How our Savannah attorneys prove negligence
Negligence is the legal threshold we must prove to recover damages on your behalf. We must establish and prove the following four elements as part of a successful case:
- The other party had a duty of care for your safety
- They violated or breached that duty of care
- This breach led to the accident and your injuries
- You suffered financially because of the injuries the other party caused you
We use the police accident report for the crash, photos and videos of the scene, and witness accounts to prove these elements. We may also subpoena the employment records of a commercial driver or the safety records of an auto manufacturer.
In other cases, we may use expert witnesses like an accident reconstructionist or a medical expert who testifies to the impact your injuries have on your life.
We fight the insurance company to get you maximum compensation
Insurance companies are notorious for minimizing or denying the seriousness of injury claims. Our experienced Savannah personal injury attorneys value your case appropriately for maximum compensation and advocate for your interests throughout the process. We’ll put our decades of experience and knowledge to work on your behalf and get you the most money possible.
Motorcycle accidents are more frequent and more dangerous
Sadly, motorcycle accident fatalities in Georgia have risen in recent years.
| Year | Number of Fatalities |
| 2017 | 139 |
| 2018 | 154 |
| 2019 | 170 |
| 2020 | 179 |
Common motorcycle crash injuries
Lack of protection when a car strikes a motorcyclist often causes deep contusions, internal organ damage, and internal bleeding. Other common injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injury
- Facial injuries and missing teeth
- Broken limbs and fractures
- Crushing injuries
- Neck, spine, and back injuries: herniations, bulges, and torn discs
- Amputation
Most accident victims suffer multiple serious injuries, meaning recovery is long and painful.
“Dos” and “don’ts” of dealing with insurance after a crash
You’re required to report the crash to your insurance company, but you don’t have an obligation to speak with the other driver’s insurance carrier. Refer all communications from them to your attorney — don’t give them a statement and don’t sign any paperwork or releases.
Cost of hiring a Savannah motorcycle accident lawyer
At Rafi Law Firm, our skilled injury attorneys work on a contingency basis, meaning that we receive legal fees only if we win your case. If we don’t win, you don’t pay.
Our fees come as a percentage of your ultimate settlement or jury award, and we’ll discuss that fee in your initial consultation. There’s no surprise fees when you work with Rafi Law Firm.
Why you should visit a doctor as soon as possible
A crash can cause your body to release adrenaline, a flight-or-fight hormone that can mask pain, meaning you may not “feel” hurt even if you have been injured. Doctors are trained to diagnose injuries from a crash, even those you don’t feel immediately. They can also see the signs of a serious neck or back injury that could leave you temporarily or permanently disabled without immediate treatment.
Why work with Rafi Law Firm
Experience matters – and that’s what the legal team at Rafi Law Firm delivers. Our Savannah motorcycle accident lawyers provide compassionate representation and tenacious litigation skills to protect you and advocate for your interests.
Don’t try to navigate the legal system alone – contact us today at (912) 461-6798 for a free initial consultation.
