TESTIMONIALS
I called Matt after several people recommended him. He was very kind and did a very good job on my son’s case. We are very thankful for the work he did. Most importantly, he was never hard to reach and answered every question we had while going through the process. Matt is the only attorney I will ever call in the future.
- Emily
My husband is a cyclist that did not fair well against an SUV recently. Matt and his team took phenomenal care of us, allowing us not to stress out (too much) about the little things. Matt and his team handled everything with professionalism. We know we made the right call.
- Jane
So glad I hired this firm after my rearend car accident. Matt embodies the skill set and values I was looking for. He treats every case like a mini war, and was a zealous advocate on my behalf. And he did so in the most competent and skillful manner. He listened, was empathetic and understood my legal and nonlegal problems.
- Jared
It was important to me to get the maximum money I could for my broken neck and arm. After getting jerked around for months by State Farm, I interviewed several firms and chose Mr. Wetherington. I’m glad I did. He forced the insurance company to pay twenty times their last offer to me.
- Veronica
It is an honor to share my experience with Mr. Wetherington. He was able to get answers about what happened in my son’s wreck that other attorney’s were not able to do. I am so thankful for the work that he did and he was very thorough in his explanation of why the vehicle had a “defect.”
- Anonymous
My case did not settle. The person that hit me only had minimal policy limits. Fortunately, I had my own insurance, which should have provided more money. My insurance company, Allstate, treated me like garbage. We had to sue them and go all the way to trial, which we won.
- Jane Doe
Matt Wetherington is the attorney who is suing the booting companies. We need to do everything we can as a community to help him succeed. God bless you, Mr. Wetherington!
- Michael
Riding a motorcycle should be a pleasurable experience in Macon. Our beautiful scenery draws countless motorcyclists from Georgia and surrounding states. At the same time, Macon residents increasingly use motorcycles for their daily commute to work or school.
Sadly, motorcyclists face dangerous hazards on the road, and they can suffer terrible injuries in a collision. At the Wetherington Law Firm, P.C., we have helped many accident victims receive compensation for their injuries. Please call us today to get started.
Types of Motorcycle Accidents in Macon, GA
Motorcycles can collide in a variety of situations. All of these accidents are serious, though some cause different injuries than others:
- Left-hand turn accident. We see these accidents at intersections. A driver making a left-hand turn waits for oncoming traffic to pass through the intersection before hanging a left. However, the driver is in a hurry and doesn’t see a motorcycle coming along at the tail end. They end up colliding.
- Head-on collision. A motorist might slam into a motorcycle head-on. For example, a car might make a right-hand turn. The car right behind impatiently pulls into the other lane to pass but didn’t see the motorcycle coming. They collide. These are often fatal accidents for motorcyclists.
- Rear-end collision. A biker might be waiting at a light or stop sign, but the motorist coming up behind doesn’t brake in time, causing a crash.
- Lane change accidents. A motorist on the freeway might quickly change lanes and not even see the motorcycle behind him.
- Distracted driving. Many motorists are fiddling with the controls, looking at a phone, or eating and driving. Sadly, too many motorcycles blend in with the vehicles around them and the road, so a distracted driver never even sees them.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Georgia gathers accident information for motorcyclists. The numbers show a steady uptick in the number of motorcycle fatalities over the years. For example, in 2020, our state saw 192 motorcycle fatalities, which was an increase over 2019 when there were 170. In 2018, we had only 154 motorcycle fatalities.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Unsurprisingly, motorcyclists suffer serious injuries after a wreck. They often endure a direct hit by a motor vehicle, and many are thrown into the road. Some of the more common injuries include:
- Fractures, including pelvic fractures
- Road rash
- Burns
- Head injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Back injuries, including herniated discs
- Spinal column injuries
- Paralysis
Without proper treatment, many people will experience a worsening of their injuries. For this reason, we recommend going to the hospital immediately after the wreck.
What Causes Motorcycle Accidents?
Many things can go wrong for a motorcyclist hoping to enjoy a ride. Some of the most dangerous hazards include:
- Negligent or reckless motorists
- Road defects, like potholes or debris
- Motorcycle defects that make the bike unsafe to operate
- Poor weather, including rain or ice on the road
- Missing stop signs or traffic lights
If you were driving in a careless manner, then your own negligence could impact your case. Georgia allows victims to seek compensation when they are less at fault than all defendants. In other words, you must be less than 50% to blame. If you’re over, the defendant can ask a judge to dismiss the lawsuit against them.
How Much Compensation Can You Receive for a Motorcycle Accident Claim in Macon?
Our clients need compensation to fund their recovery. They suddenly have large expenses, including medical bills, and many unfortunately cannot work. Our Macon motorcycle accident lawyers have sought compensation for:
- Past medical care
- Ongoing medical treatment, such as rehabilitation
- Pain and suffering
- Damage to your motorcycle
- Lost income
- Disfigurement or disability
If a loved one died on a motorcycle, we can help bring a wrongful death claim. This is a special type of lawsuit which compensates families for the whole life of the deceased. For example, we can seek compensation for lost services provided and/or loss of income your loved one would have earned.
Many victims want to know how much they can get in a settlement. There are so many considerations that a general estimate isn’t helpful. In an individualized case review, we can look at your expenses, the severity of injuries, and effect on your family. We also will analyze any comparative fault, which will reduce your compensation by a proportional amount. Temporary, minor injuries typically pay out less than major, permanent disabilities or disfigurement.
An Overview of Georgia’s Helmet Laws
Georgia law requires that all people operating or riding on a motorcycle have appropriate headgear. It is one of the few states with a universal helmet law. Your helmet must meet Department of Transportation (DOT) standards, which should be advertised on the helmet you purchase. If your bike doesn’t have a windshield, then you will need to wear goggles.
These requirements make sense. In fact, helmets can dramatically reduce the severity of a brain injury. Even if you weren’t wearing a helmet, however, you can still seek compensation for a wreck.
What Do You Need to Prove to Obtain Compensation?
Most motorcycle accident victims bring claims based on negligence. This requires that we prove 4 elements:
- The defendant you are suing owed you a duty of care.
- The defendant breached that duty.
- The defendant’s breach caused your injuries.
- You suffered damages.
A motorist driving on the road owes a duty to drive carefully to those around them. This is a duty created by proximity.
In many cases, the hardest legal question is whether the driver breached their duty of care to you. Drivers almost always deny it, so we must rely on evidence to show the motorist didn’t use sufficient care. For example, the following usually qualifies as careless or dangerous driving:
- Speeding
- Passing too closely
- Failing to stop at a light
- Rolling through a traffic stop
- Tailgating
- Driving while distracted
- Texting and driving
- Drunk driving
As your attorney, we can investigate the crash to find helpful information. For example, we might talk to witnesses who saw a motorist run a red light before crashing into you. Or we might request cell phone records that show a driver was on the phone before the collision. With this evidence, we can make your case that the driver breached his duty and caused your injuries.
Speak with a Macon Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you were hurt in a motorcycle accident, call the Wetherington Law Firm today. We can meet for a free consultation to discuss your chances of bringing a successful claim. From our Macon office, we proudly serve the people of central Georgia throughout Bibb, Jones, Twiggs, Crawford, Monroe, Jones, and Wilkinson counties.