Why Choose the Stoddard Firm?
The Right Representation Can Make a Real Difference in Your Future
In life, we often face situations that are beyond our control. If you were riding your motorcycle and were injured in an accident due to the negligence of another individual or organization, you know what we mean. In instances like this, the best thing to do is to control what you can.
Identifying the best motorcycle accident attorney is one of those things. The costs associated with accidents like this are staggering. The combination of medical expenses, property damage, changes in life and emotional distress are compelling and must be addressed. You not only need to work with a firm whose knowledge and experience are broad-based, but also one whose approach meets the many needs you face.
We are that firm. Consider what we bring to you:
- Decades of Combined Experience: Led by Matt Stoddard, our founding partner, the firm has been representing motorcycle accident victims in Atlanta and the surrounding area for years.
- In-depth Legal Knowledge: As motorcycle accident lawyers, we are well-versed in Georgia personal injury law. Additionally, we have worked within the system; our experience with local judges, courts and attorneys is noteworthy.
- Client Commitment: We know that being a good lawyer extends far beyond our technical ability. We are well-known for the relationships we build with our clients; providing them compassionate and responsive service is at the core of our approach.
- Proven Success: Our reputation for successfully advocating on our clients’ behalf is recognized throughout the Atlanta area. We tirelessly advocate for our clients with a goal of maximizing their settlements; this is the first step in preparing for the future.
We have a stellar reputation in the Atlanta community for providing the highest quality, effective service. If you or someone you love has been injured or lost their life in a motorcycle accident, reach out to our team today to schedule a consultation. Once we have more information regarding your specific situation, we can share how we would approach your case.
How We Can Help You Proceed
What You Can Expect When Working with Us
As a motorcycle accident victim, your life and priorities today are likely much different than they were prior to the accident. What may have seemed important then has been relegated to the back burner now. Simply recovering and moving forward have become your primary concerns.
The price of accomplishing these new goals can be overwhelming, as the costs resulting from your accident may be sky high.
At The Stoddard Firm, we strongly believe those whose negligent behaviors contributed to your accident should be held accountable — the financial burden should not be yours to shoulder.
That said, holding them responsible can be challenging; the process is complex and time consuming. Managing it appropriately requires knowledge, skills and time that you simply do not have. That is where we come in.
Our team will:
- Investigate the Accident: Gathering information regarding your accident is critical to proving negligence. We will interview witnesses, visit the scene of the accident and review all police reports.
- Calculate Damages: The costs relating to the accident may comprise a host of things, including medical bills, lost wages and future wages, pain and suffering, property damage and other expenses. Additionally, some of these expenses will continue into the future. We can estimate future costs to help ensure that the amount we request as a settlement appropriately compensates you for all you have lost.
- Manage the Administrative Process: One thing of which we can be sure is that personal injury cases require a great deal of administrative work. Forms must be completed and filed, letters written, and phone calls made. We will assume responsibility for all of these tasks, ensuring that they are completed efficiently and effectively.
- Communicate on Your Behalf: As the victim of a motorcycle accident you will receive constant telephone calls and emails. As your motorcycle accident attorney, we will serve as the point person for all communications. If anyone reaches out to you, simply give them our telephone number — there is no need to offer them any additional information or answer any questions.
- Negotiate a Settlement: Our motorcycle accident lawyers are skilled negotiators. We know what to say and how to present the information to best benefit you. We will handle all negotiations for you, working hard to maximize a settlement to compensate you for your losses.
- Represent You in Court: While our goal is to settle your case during the negotiation phase (which we are often successful in doing), we will not hesitate to go to court if we do not believe the settlement offers are appropriate. Our attorneys are fierce litigators and will argue your case aggressively if necessary.
We handle everything that has to do with your case, from beginning to end. By taking full responsibility for what we do best, we allow you to focus your time and effort on your recovery and your family. To say that motorcycle accidents are traumatic is an understatement. We appreciate your situation and will do our best to make the legal process as stress-free as possible.
We treat all of our clients as if they were our family members. We operate entirely in your best interests, working hard to make tomorrow better for you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Address Your Concerns
When it comes to the legal process surrounding motorcycle accidents, questions are common. It’s not surprising. Victims experience excruciating pain and are under remarkable stress. Facing an uncertain future can be unnerving at best. Below we have responded to some of the most common questions asked of us.
Who can be held liable in a motorcycle accident lawsuit?
Depending upon the situation, liable parties may include the driver of the other vehicle, their employer (if they were driving for work-related reasons), the motorcycle manufacturer, or even the municipality in which you were driving if unsafe roads caused the accident. Your Atlanta motorcycle accident attorney can help determine the negligent party or parties. And yes, you can sue more than one person.
Is there a time limit regarding filing my lawsuit?
Yes, in Georgia the statute of limitations for personal injury lawsuits (under which motorcycle accident injuries fall) is two years from the date of the accident. A reputable motorcycle accident lawyer understands these time limits and will help ensure compliance.
I was not wearing a helmet at the time of my accident. Can I still file a personal injury lawsuit?
While Georgia does have a mandatory motorcycle helmet law, with some exceptions, you still may be able to recover damages in a personal injury lawsuit, depending upon the situation. Your attorney can review the circumstances surrounding your case and let you know your options.
An insurance company representative left me a message regarding my accident. What should I do?
Refer all communication regarding your accident (including those from insurance companies) to your Atlanta motorcycle accident attorney. Do not engage in any conversation. We know how best to handle these situations and protect your interests.
If I was partially at fault for the accident can I still file a lawsuit?
Yes. The state of Georgia has a comparative negligence law. Thus, if you are found to be partially at fault, your damages would be reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you.
What should I do if my loved one was killed in a motorcycle accident?
Georgia law provides the opportunity for those whose family members were killed due to the negligent actions or inactions of others be compensated for losses. Reach out to us today to discuss filing a wrongful death case lawsuit.
We hope this information addresses some of your concerns. We recognize that you likely have many more questions relating to the specifics of your situation. Reach out to our Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyers today at 470-467-2200 to schedule a free consultation.
Motorcycle Accidents in Atlanta
Your Actions Can Impact the Settlement Your Receive
Motorcycle accidents are traumatizing; it seems as if your world has been turned upside down. In this tumultuous time, the following actions can help with your well-being and your personal injury lawsuit:
- Contact the authorities: Dial 911 for law enforcement and emergency medical assistance.
- Gather information (if you are able): Obtain contact information for the other driver and any witnesses. Take photos/videos of all involved vehicles and the surrounding area, if possible.
- Obtain legal representation: Engage a skilled and experienced Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer.
- Notify your insurance company: Explain that you were in an accident and confirm that all future correspondence will go through your attorney. Refrain from giving any specific details; allow us to communicate on your behalf.
- Follow-up with your doctor: Sometimes the adrenaline from an accident will mask injuries and pain. Make sure you follow up with your physician regarding your physical health.
- Obtain a copy of the police report: We can leverage the information in it for your case.
The impact of these seemingly simple steps can be consequential. No two motorcycle accidents and their associated personal injury cases are identical. Even seemingly similar crashes can have vastly different impacts on their victims. At The Stoddard Firm, we know that no two cases are alike, and we take the time to focus on the intricacies of each individual case.
Sometimes what seems like a minor detail can make a tremendous difference in the outcome of your case. Our team takes the time to fully investigate the case and understand the impact it has on both you and your family.
Motorcycle Injury Compensation Is Complex
Understanding the Damages You May Receive
Motorcycle accidents happen every day. They are unfortunate and result in costly physical and emotional damage. Sometimes they are unavoidable, but quite often these accidents are caused by the negligent actions or inactions of other individuals or organizations. These types of accidents are so frustrating because they were avoidable.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident due to the negligence of someone else, you may be entitled to damages through a personal injury lawsuit.
Accident victims in Georgia may be entitled to three types of damages: economic, non-economic and punitive.
- Economic: These quantifiable damages may include medical and care expenses (including those which may continue to present in the future), lost wages and benefits, and property damage.
- Non-Economic: Placing a cost on these can be a challenging task. It’s hard to measure the dollar value of mental anguish, pain and suffering, loss of consortium and permanent disability, but an experienced personal injury attorney knows how to approach a demand for non-economic damages.
- Punitive Damages: These damages are awarded when the negligence was willful or extraordinary. They are designed to punish those responsible and serve as a deterrent for similar behaviors in the future.
Accurately calculating damages requires a special knowledge set. In addition to determining the costs related to the intangible, we must also make sure to account for costs the victims will continue to recognize in the future, like long-term medical treatment or care.
You have one chance to file suit for damages; our Atlanta motorcycle accident attorney can help you determine the monetary value of your losses and call expert witnesses to testify, if necessary, to substantiate these values.
Attorney Matt Stoddard
Matt Stoddard is a professional, hardworking, ethical advocate. He routinely faces some of the nation’s largest companies and some of the world’s largest insurers – opponents who have virtually unlimited resources. In these circumstances, Mr. Stoddard is comfortable. Mr. Stoddard provides his strongest efforts to his clients, and he devotes the firm’s significant financial resources to presenting the strongest case possible on their behalf. Matt understands that his clients must put their trust in him. That trust creates an obligation for Matt to work tirelessly on their behalf, and Matt Stoddard does not take that obligation lightly. [ Attorney Bio ]
