Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyers Blog

A Macon County, Georgia jury awarded a motorcyclist $650,000 for injuries he suffered to his back in a motorcycle accident. Apparently the driver of the car did not see the motorcycle. This is one of the most common causes of accidents involving motorcycles. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation has published a list of safety tips for car and truck drivers to help reduce the number of motorcycle accidents. In a prior posting, we covered some of the issues motorcyclists face on public highways.

The motorcyclist was a 49 year old truck driver riding his bike on a country road when a car pulled out to make a left turn in front of him. Unable to avoid the car, the two vehicles colided leaving the cyclist with broken bones and permanent back injury.

You might wonder what it takes to prove negligence and injury in this type of case. Often, expert witnesses are called to testify to the medical injuries or to reconstruct the accident to show who was at fault. In this case, there were two independent eyewitnesses who were able to testify to what they saw happen. The trooper who worked the accident testified that there were over 147 feet of skid marks from the motorcyclist showing he attempted to avoid the accident. With eyewitness testimony and a good work up of the accident by the police, the facts are almost indisputable.

Continue reading "Motorcycle Accident Results in $650,000 Jury Award" »

Between 2000 and 2006, Georgia motorcycle accidents rose by over 97 percent. More alarming is the increase of 147 percent in fatalities in those same accidents during that period. Not surprisingly, Fulton County, part of the metro Atlanta area, had the highest number of motorcycle accidents ending in fatalities in a study covering the period 2003 to 2007. Gwinnett, DeKalb, and Cobb counties followed with slightly lower numbers.

In part, because this is a national trend, the Federal Highway Administration is launching the first major study into the cause of motorcycle crashes in nearly thirty years. A 150 percent jump in deaths in motorcycle wrecks in the ten years between 1997 and 2008, as documented by the U.S. Department of Transportation, was an impetus for the study. The study will focus on common factors in motorcycle crashes such as roadways, weather, and the experience level of the rider. "Having a better understanding of what causes these crashes will help us improve roadway safety for everyone," said Administrator Victor Mendez.

According to Georgia Office of Highway Safety Director Bob Dallas, "We have growing support among rider groups, law enforcement agencies, and traffic safety organizations to create a safer riding environment because during recent years, Georgia has experienced a steady increase in fatal motorcycle crashes." In 2006, 3082 motorcyclists were injured and 148 died on Georgia highways.

As part of an effort to create more awareness of motorcycle safety, Georgia implemented the "Share the Road" program which continues to highlight the need for motorists to be aware of and more cautious around motorcyclists. Interestingly, more than sixty-six percent of crashes involving a car and a motorcycle were caused by the driver of the car not seeing the oncoming motorcycle.

From the perspective of a personal injury attorney whose husband loves his Harley and enjoys riding it, my heart skips a beat every time I read statistics like those above. The injuries suffered by motorcyclists in accidents are life-changing including wrongful death, spinal cord injury and brain injury; please share the road.

Learn More:

Georgia Highway Safety

Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program

Today, just south of I-20 on I-285 in DeKalb County, an SUV caused an 18 wheeler truck to crash into a group of motorcyclists. In a chain reaction, the semi truck hit three motorcycles in the tragic Atlanta accident. As a result of the trucking accident, there was one fatality and four bikers were taken to area hospitals along with the driver of the SUV.

The group of bikers were headed to the National Biker Round Up being held at the Atlanta Speedway. The week long event is sponsored by the Georgia Biker Committee. Before heading to the round up, many groups of bikers discussed safety rules such as riding staggered to give each other room to maneuver, using hand signals early, and staying together as a group.

Each year since 1997, motorcycle fatalities have increased with a high of 4,810 in 2006, the last year for which there was available data. Safety on the highways is critical to avoid trucking accidents or motorcycle accidents. But even when you are prepared, you can't predict what another driver may do. My husband rides his own steel horse and takes all the necessary precautions but I worry every time he heads out. The size of motorcycles makes them no match for tractor trailer trucks or cars. The wrongful deaths that occur as a result of someone's careless driving create pain and misery for all involved.

Read more:
One Man Dead in I-285 Accident

Nashville Motorcycle Lifestyles Examiner article

U.S. Department of Transportation Action Plan to Reduce Motorcycle Fatalities

In a tragic motorcycle accident, a Marietta woman was killed on Tuesday, July 28, 2009. An automobile driver turned left in front of the motorcycle on Alpharetta Street in Roswell, Georgia. The motorcyclist died after being taken to North Fulton Regional Medical Center while the driver of the car and her two children were not injured.

Frequently, car drivers neglect to give the right of way to motorcyclists. This type of accident is unfortunately too common. A similar motorcycle accident in Cumming, Georgia occurred at the end of June. In this Forsyth County motorcycle crash, a car made a u-turn in front of a motorcyclist who later died at Grady Memorial Hospital. The driver of the vehicle was initially cited for an improper left turn while other charges were pending.

Public education on motorcycle safety is one of the best ways to lower the rate of these types of car and motorcycle accidents. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) offers not only motorcycle rider safety courses but engages in public awareness campaigns to let the public know how to share the road with motorcycles.

In Ten Things All Car & Truck Drivers Should Know About Motorcycles, MSF points out that because motorcycles are small in size they look farther away than they really are. They suggest before you make a turn in front of a motorcycle you should assume the motorcycle is closer than it looks - in other words, give the motorcyclist an extra margin of safety.

Continue reading "Roswell Motorcycle Accident Ends in Death" »