At Burnside Law Firm LLP, we’ve dedicated our practice to helping injured riders across Augusta, Evans, Martinez, and surrounding areas hold negligent drivers accountable. Proving fault in a motorcycle accident case is crucial in Georgia, where compensation depends heavily on how fault is assigned.
Our attorneys bring more than 50 years of combined legal experience to every case. We’re not just familiar with Georgia’s motorcycle laws—we’ve spent decades litigating injury cases in Richmond County courts and beyond. Our team includes attorneys recognized by Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, and Georgia Trend’s Legal Elite, and we approach every case with a balance of legal knowledge, courtroom credibility, and a deep understanding of how local roads and juries operate.
Whether your crash happened on Washington Road, near Fort Eisenhower, or along I-520, we know how to gather, preserve, and present the right evidence to strengthen your case.
Understanding Fault in Georgia Motorcycle Accidents
Under Georgia’s modified comparative negligence system, injured motorcyclists can only recover damages if they are found less than 50% at fault. Insurance companies often try to exploit common motorcycle biases—making it even more important to build a clear liability case.
Founding partner Thomas R. Burnside III, who has served on the State Bar of Georgia Board of Governors and held leadership roles in the Augusta Bar Association, has spent decades challenging these types of unfair narratives in court. Alongside partners like Garon Muller, a Top Ten in Ten award recipient and Super Lawyers honoree, our team works diligently to uncover and organize the strongest possible evidence.
Evidence That Proves Fault After a Motorcycle Crash
1. Accident Scene Photos and Videos
Images of the crash scene are essential for reconstructing how the accident happened. In high-traffic areas like Wrightsboro Road, Peach Orchard Road, or Bobby Jones Expressway, road layout and vehicle position can tell a compelling story. Our attorneys regularly consult with clients to collect visual evidence—whether from phones, dash cams, or business surveillance—before it disappears.
Attorneys like Ashton Revollo, a graduate of Emory University School of Law and active in the Aiken–Augusta region, bring a keen eye for detail to these early fact-finding steps, especially when securing video footage or identifying nearby traffic cameras.
2. Official Police Reports
We work with crash reports issued by the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office or Augusta Police Department, which often include officer notes, diagrams, and early fault determinations. Our attorneys review every line of these documents, and if needed, gather additional statements or corrections.
Having served as the former City Attorney for Harlem, Georgia, Thomas Burnside understands how police narratives influence claims and how to address inconsistencies in official records.
3. Eyewitness Testimony
Independent witnesses can make or break a liability case. From crashes near downtown Augusta to neighborhoods in Martinez or Evans, we move quickly to identify and interview witnesses while their memories are still fresh.
With prior experience as a public defender in the Augusta Judicial Circuit, Robert MacGregor brings skilled cross-examination strategies to trial—knowing how to support or challenge testimony to benefit your claim.
When to Involve Experts: Going Beyond Basic Evidence
Accident Reconstruction Specialists
In serious or disputed cases, our attorneys consult accident reconstruction experts to analyze speed, angles, braking patterns, and impact dynamics. These professionals use physics-based models and digital scene simulations to support your version of events.
Attorney Garon Muller, who serves on the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association Executive Committee, has a proven track record of integrating expert testimony into compelling presentations that resonate with judges and juries alike.
Medical Documentation from Local Providers
We coordinate with area hospitals like Doctors Hospital of Augusta, AU Medical Center, and Piedmont Augusta to obtain detailed treatment records and physician statements. These reports help us prove that your injuries stemmed directly from the crash—and justify the full scope of damages.
The Burnside Advantage: Local Insight, Recognized Results
At Burnside Law Firm, we don’t just know the law—we know the region, the courts, and the community. Our firm is built on trust, leadership, and service, with recognition that reflects the respect of both peers and clients:
- Martindale-Hubbell AV Preeminent rated for legal ability and ethics
- Named to the National Trial Lawyers Top 100
- Featured in Atlanta Magazine’s Top Attorneys in Georgia
- Awarded Avvo Client’s Choice for outstanding client service
- Active leadership in organizations like Turn Back the Block, Leadership Augusta, and the Georgia Bar Young Lawyers Division
Our attorneys routinely appear in Richmond County State and Superior Courts, and we’re familiar with how local judges, clerks, and opposing counsel approach personal injury matters.
FAQs: Proving Fault in Motorcycle Accidents
Q: What is the most important evidence for proving fault in a motorcycle accident?
A: Photos of the crash scene, witness statements, and the official police report are often the strongest initial pieces of evidence. At Burnside Law Firm LLP, we also work with accident reconstruction experts and medical professionals to build a complete and persuasive case—especially for crashes occurring on roads like I-20, Washington Road, or Deans Bridge Road where liability disputes are common.
Q: How can I get a copy of the police report from my accident in Augusta?
A: You can typically obtain your report from the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office or Augusta Police Department, depending on where the accident occurred. Our legal team can request this report on your behalf and review it for any inaccuracies or omissions that could affect your claim.
Q: Can dashcam or traffic camera footage help prove the other driver was at fault?
A: Yes. Dashcam video, nearby business surveillance, or even public traffic cameras can be extremely helpful. We act quickly to preserve this footage before it’s erased or overwritten—especially if the crash happened near commercial areas like Broad Street or Bobby Jones Expressway, where video evidence is more likely.
Q: What if the other driver says I “came out of nowhere” or was speeding?
A: This is a common tactic to shift blame onto the motorcyclist. We counter this by examining skid marks, vehicle damage, crash angles, and witness accounts. Our attorneys have successfully disproved these claims in prior cases using both forensic analysis and expert testimony.
Q: Will wearing a helmet affect fault in my case?
A: Helmet use primarily relates to the severity of injuries, not fault. Georgia law does require helmets, but even if you weren’t wearing one, you may still pursue compensation. The defense might argue your injuries were worsened by lack of a helmet—but we work with medical experts to focus the case on how the accident happened, not just its outcome.
Take Action Today with Trusted Augusta Injury Attorneys
If you or a loved one was hurt in a motorcycle crash near downtown Augusta, I-20, or anywhere in Columbia County, don’t leave your future to chance. At Burnside Law Firm LLP, we bring decades of injury law experience and a track record of trusted leadership to every client’s case.
Our attorneys are recognized by Georgia Super Lawyers, Best Lawyers in America, and the Georgia Trial Lawyers Association LEAD Program, and we’re proud to serve clients across Augusta, Athens, Atlanta, Waynesboro, and beyond. Call Burnside Law Firm LLP today or visit our Motorcycle Accident Page to schedule your free consultation and start building your case with confidence.
Posted on behalf of
