Motorcycle Accident

Injuries from motorcycle accidents can be much more serious than injuries from car accidents, largely because a motorcycle leaves the rider’s body exposed to the road, objects, and other vehicles. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, an experienced Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer can help determine your legal options and protect your right to ride safely.

Negligent driving is one of the leading causes of motorcycle accidents. Passenger car and truck drivers tend not to check or double check for motorcycles before they pull out into the road or go through an intersection. This is how most motorcycle accidents happen – a negligent or distracted driver wasn’t looking or didn’t see the motorcycle rider and hits him or her. Collisions can also happen during lane changes on the highway if a driver fails to check appropriately for motorcycles in the next lane before moving over. This is also a common cause of motorcycle accidents.

Another cause of motorcycle accidents is speeding. Particularly on busy highways, cars tend to go faster than the posted speed limit. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident where the driver of the car was speeding, you may be able to seek damages for the driver’s negligence in ignoring the posted speed limit.

As Atlanta personal injury lawyers, we also see many motorcycle accidents caused by distracted driving. When drivers are preoccupied with texting, eating, or talking on cell phones, they can easily miss a motorcycle in their view and cause a collision. Motorcycle accidents also tend to be more frequent at night, when there is less visibility and more likelihood of intoxicated drivers on the road.

Unfortunately, whenever a car hits a motorcycle, even when the car driver is at fault, it is usually the motorcycle rider who suffers the most serious injuries. Motorcycle riders who were injured due to other drivers’ negligence shouldn’t suffer because someone else was careless on Atlanta’s busy roadways.

Georgia law requires motorcycle riders to wear Department of Transportation–approved helmets at all times. State law also requires riders to have some form of eye protection, such as goggles, a visor, or a windshield on the motorcycle.

Lane sharing for motorcycle riders is not legal in the state of Georgia, though in other states, it is legal and common. When riding motorcycles in Georgia, it’s important to be aware of the state laws and comply with them. In Georgia, state law classifies a motorcycle rider going over 75 miles per hour as a “super speeder.” The name may sound cool, but it’s indicative of risky behavior. Have fun when riding your motorcycle, but take all required safety precautions and don’t speed.

While it’s important to understand and follow state law for riding motorcycles, noncompliance with state law as a motorcyclist doesn’t mean a negligent driver who hits you gets an automatic “free pass.” Comparative fault is part of Georgia law, so if you are in an accident that was someone else’s fault but you were also partly to blame – like failing to signal – then you still may be eligible for compensation. Discuss this with an experienced Atlanta motorcycle accident attorney to understand your rights after a collision.

While a driver may be able to claim in court that your injuries wouldn’t have been as severe if you had worn a helmet or observed the speed limit, that doesn’t negate the fact that as a motorcyclist, you would have been injured by the collision regardless. In these situations, it’s vital that you stand up for your rights and ensure that the negligent party is held accountable. Contact The Dixon Firm, P.C. for more information about your Georgia motorcycle accident.