Motorcycle Accident Head Injury Lawyers in Atlanta

When you've had the misfortune of experiencing a motorcycle accident at the hands of another person's reckless driving, a lot is happening inside your head. Pain is most likely one of those things. Head injuries caused by a motorcycle accident may present in different ways, varying in severity. But make no mistake, all head injuries have the potential to be life-altering, even deadly.

According to Syracuse University's Maxwell School of Citizenship & Public Affairs, 37% of fatal motorcycle crashes involve head injuries. If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident and are experiencing complications from a head wound or traumatic brain injury, you need an aggressive attorney to fight against biker bias and secure compensation for your recovery. Steelhorse Law fights the good fight, providing you with the support and guidance you need during this challenging time.

The Dangers of Motorcycle Accidents

Over the last decade, the number of nationwide motorcycle accident-related deaths has climbed - by 20%, to be exact. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) posted a study that revealed 6,218 motorcyclists were killed in 2022, 15% of all traffic fatalities. In Georgia, the Department of Driver Services reported that around 4,200 bikers were involved in crashes annually. Atlanta has the highest crash rate of all Georgian cities, making up 42% of statewide accidents.

We already mentioned how impactful a "get off" can be. Accidents can have long-term effects, even if they are relatively minor. Among other things, they can leave behind lasting trauma that stops you from ever being confident on a bike again. In the aftermath of an accident, when you're trying to move forward, the last thing you should have to be thinking about is whether or not you'll be able to afford your medical bills. You deserve to heal without worrying. Steelhorse Law specializes in providing clients peace of mind through fair compensation while going through recovery after a motorcycle accident head injury.

Understanding Common Motorcycle Accident Terms

After an accident, there are a lot of uncertainties. Something you should never be confused about though, is what we're talking about. We'll do our best to thoroughly explain the terms used during case discussions, but it might be easier to show you. No need to frantically Google 'terms for when you fall off motorcycle,' Steelhorse's legal glossary is here to arm and empower you.

Answer - The defendant's response to the complaint you file in court to formally begin your case.
Burden of proof - In a motorcycle accident case, you must prove that the accident and your resulting injury more likely than not happened because of the defendant's negligence.
Cause of action - Your legal claim against the defendant.
Comparative negligence - The plaintiff bears some legal responsibility for the motorcycle accident. Depending on the state, you may recover damages even if you were partly at fault for the crash unless your percentage of fault exceeds 50%.
Contingency free agreement - An agreement between an attorney and a client where the client pays the attorney an agreed-upon percentage of a legal recovery instead of hourly legal fees.
Counterclaim - The defendant may raise a legal claim against the plaintiff in the same lawsuit already filed by the plaintiff.
Damages - Your financial compensation for your accident injuries.
Discovery - The legal process of gathering evidence.
Negligence - A person who owes another person a duty of care, breaches that duty of care, and causes an injury because of the breach of the duty of care is negligent and at fault for the crash.
Pain and suffering - The physical pain and emotional suffering you experience because of your accident injuries.
Standing to sue - The right to file a lawsuit in court.
Statute of limitations - The amount of time you have to file a lawsuit after a motorcycle accident.

Motorcycle Accident Statute of Limitations

It's crucial to seek legal help as soon as possible to protect your rights as a victim. In Georgia, you have two years from the date of the accident for bodily injury to file a claim. Once that deadline passes, you may not be able to seek compensation. Terms for when you fall off motorcycle and exceptions to this rule include:

The victim was a minor
The victim experienced delayed symptoms
The victim's injuries weren't diagnosed until weeks or months after the accident
The defendant left the state before the plaintiff could file a lawsuit

What Happens to Your Head in an Accident

While riding a bike is exhilarating, you can't ignore its dangers. Head injuries are the most significant risk riders face each time they get on a bike. Even with the protection of helmets - all motorcyclists must wear according to Section 40-6-315 of the Georgia Code - the risk of head injuries is much higher than those of other motor vehicle accidents. Problems linked to head injuries include:

Seizures
Headaches
Dizziness
Concussions
Nausea
Slurred speech
Mood impairments
Changes in sleep patterns
Difficulty Concentrating or thinking
Confusion
Traumatic brain injuries (TBIs)

Traumatic Brain Injuries

Traumatic brain injuries happen when your head sustains direct or indirect damage from a violent blow. The force of the impact can cause extreme harm to brain tissue or damage nerve cells. It could even fracture your skull. Even more severe, blows to the head could cause bleeding and swelling inside the skull, inflicting pressure on the brain and causing further damage. Since our brains control each system of our bodies, head injuries could result in problems with other bodily functions.

Traumatic brain injuries include diffuse axonal injuries (DAIs), coup-contrecoup injuries, and hematomas. DAIs occur when the brain is violently shaken in your skull, damaging nerve fibers. This could lead to impaired thinking and issues with speech and coordination. These problems can appear gradually, making them difficult to diagnose right away. Coup-contrecoup injuries happen from a strong impact, causing your brain to hit both sides of your skull. There are many serious complications linked to this injury. Hematomas are bleeds occurring in the brain or skull cavity. From the bleeding, clots may form, depriving the brain of oxygen. Hematomas can lead to strokes or death if untreated.

TBIs can permanently alter your way of life. Recovery after a motorcycle accident head injury could lead to long-term rehabilitation or even surgeries. If undiagnosed and left untreated, a TBI could cause permanent functional limitations.

Motorcycle Accident and Head Injury Statistics

During an accident, a rider is thrown from their hog at the moment of impact. Even if the crash happens at a relatively low speed, colliding with the ground or another object puts them at risk for severe injury. One of the only protections bikers have is a helmet. While state law requires all motorcyclists to wear helmets, unfortunately, not all bikers abide by the rule. We can't stop you or your loved ones from riding a bike without a helmet. But what we can do is caution you against it. Look at the following motorcycle accident statistics and reconsider wearing a helmet when you ride.

2,251 motorcycle accident deaths occurred when not wearing a helmet (NSC)
There were 231,600 registered motorcycles in Georgia in 2022 and 221 motorcycle fatalities (Consumer Affairs)
Helmets are 37% effective in preventing fatal injuries to drivers and 41% effective for passengers (National Safety Council)
The majority of those deaths were people ages 30-39 (GA Highway Safety)
There were 101.5 biker fatalities per 100,000 registrations (GA Highway Safety)
52% of personal injury cases were a result of a motor vehicle accident (Bureau of Justice)

Steelhorse Law. We Ride for Our Clients.

Being injured in a motorcycle accident doesn't have to be the end of your riding days. But, when you've experienced a head injury, you will need to take plenty of time to recover. At Steelhorse Law, our legal team is dedicated to assisting you throughout the recovery process. We will fight for your right to compensation, ensuring that the at-fault party minimally pays for your medical bills. We won't stop fighting until they're held responsible.

For dedicated legal representation that's passionate about doing the right thing, call Steelhorse Law. We'll pursue the protection of your rights to the bitter end. To schedule a free consultation, give us a call today.