Hurt In A Crash? Trust Your Case To Our Skilled Motorcycle Accident Lawyers.
Motorcyclists and their passengers will remain vulnerable on the road as long as reckless, inattentive and law-breaking motorists exist. A leisurely motorcycle ride can lead to a severe collision; so can a day trip, riding with a group of friends. If they are lucky enough to survive a motorcycle accident, victims are likely to sustain catastrophic and life-threatening injuries.
There’s no doubt that motorcyclists must be extra vigilant because of the negligent behavior of some motorists and the lack of protection their vehicles provide in an accident. If you have been hurt in a road accident while on a motorcycle, you need timely and targeted legal advice. Since 1972, Harriss and Hartman Law Firm, P.C., in Rossville, has helped clients in surrounding areas of Georgia and throughout the neighboring Chattanooga metro in Tennessee. Our attorneys are experienced, empathetic and assertive, and they have helped hundreds of clients secure the maximum compensation they deserve.
Common Motorcycle Accident Scenarios And Injuries
Our firm has represented countless bikers injured in collisions with drivers of cars and trucks. Cases commonly include the following scenarios:
- Left-turn crashes, where a driver turns left across the path of an oncoming motorcyclist without checking that the path is clear
- Crashes caused by passing too closely and failing to leave a buffer for motorcyclists
- Run-off accidents, where bikers are forced to swerve off the road to avoid a collision
- Debris accidents, where bikers skid on parts, fluids and cargo that falls off or out of other vehicles
Our team of dedicated attorneys has nearly a century of combined legal experience. They understand how to carefully investigate these crashes, assess fault and help clients maximize available compensation.
Work With Attorneys Who Are Fierce Advocates For Clients
We care about our clients, who have been through a difficult time. A motorcycle accident victim faces many challenges physically and financially. They may be unable to work as a result of their injuries and face costly medical bills and lengthy rehabilitation along with pain and suffering. Their families suffer, too, especially if injuries from the accident are fatal, leading to a wrongful death claim.
The serious injuries that victims may receive include:
- Traumatic brain injuries that can have long-term effects on cognitive and motor skills
- Spinal cord injuries that could lead to paralysis
- Fractures and broken bones that may never heal properly
- Amputations of limbs that may lead victims wearing prosthetics
- Severe lacerations and abrasions
- Internal organ damage leading to severe bleeding and death
Our attorneys provide one-on-one attention. We know the region, we know the people, and we know how to get results. As skilled negotiators and experienced litigators, we get the job done right.
What Happens When Victims Are Partially Responsible For The Crash?
It is sometimes the case that both parties in a motorcycle crash share some fault for causing the accident or making it more severe. Thankfully, if this applies to you, sharing fault isn’t necessarily a bar to financial recovery. This is due to very similar laws in both Georgia and Tennessee.
Both are considered “fault” states when it comes to auto accidents, which means that the costs of the crash must be paid by the insurance company representing the at-fault party. Tennessee and Georgia also follow a legal principle known as modified comparative negligence. Under this doctrine, a person who shares fault for an accident can still seek compensation so long as the other party is primarily to blame. This means that the victim’s share of fault is 49% or lower.
However, the victim’s total compensation will be reduced by their assigned percentage of fault. If you were in a motorcycle accident and were considered 15% at fault, for instance, you could still recover 85% of the total damages you were seeking.
We Fight Back Against Anti-Motorcycle Bias
Although it is quite possible for both parties to share fault, this shouldn’t be the automatic assumption. Unfortunately, motorcyclists are too often blamed for their own injuries due to biases about the “kind of people” who ride. Bikers are often viewed as reckless and unconcerned with their safety or the safety of others. In most cases, this perception is entirely false. Bikers understand how much is at stake in an accident, and most ride safely and defensively.
If insurance companies attempt to argue that you were primarily or at least significantly at fault for the crash, our legal team is ready to fight back and to keep blame focused where it belongs: on the other driver.
We Offer Free Initial Consultations – Reach Out Today
Negligent car and truck drivers too often are the cause of motorcycle accidents that can lead to severe injuries and even death. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, Harriss and Hartman Law Firm, P.C., is prepared to represent you. Our seasoned attorneys understand personal injury law, and we serve clients in and around Rossville, Georgia, including clients in Chattanooga, Tennessee. We offer free initial consultations, so please contact us online or call 706-406-1649 to get started.