Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycles are an increasingly popular means of transportation. According to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, motorcycle registrations throughout the state increased seven percent in 2012 from the previous year. However, sharing the road with larger vehicles and commercial trucks sometimes can be difficult.
Motorcycle accidents are common and often can result in life-changing injuries or death. In 2011, there were 3,072 crashes involving motorcycles on Georgia roadways, most of which were in the Atlanta area. Because you are not as protected as other drivers in vehicles, you could face serious consequences after a crash. If you suffered injuries in a motorcycle accident because of someone else’s negligence, you may be eligible for compensation.
Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Any time you are injured the situation can be stressful. If another driver’s negligence led to your injuries you may be eligible to seek damages. If you have been injured in a motorcycle crash, contact an Atlanta motorcycle accident attorney at The Balams Firm. ReShea Balams will help you get the compensation you need for a full recovery.
If you cannot travel to The Balams Firm because of injuries suffered in the accident, ReShea Balams will travel to you. She works with her clients to get the best possible results, even if that means scheduling evening, weekend and emergency appointments. ReShea Balams is hands-on and handles each case with the utmost importance.
Call (404) 445-2005 to schedule a free case consultation. Balams represents clients throughout the Atlanta area, including Duluth, Roswell, Lawrenceville, Marietta, Decatur, Buckhead, Johns Creek, Sandy Springs, East Point, Forest Park, Smyrna, Brookhaven, College Park, Milton and surrounding areas.
Information for Atlanta-Area Motorcycle Crash Victims
- Possible Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
- Georgia Requirements for Bikers
- What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Possible Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Lots of factors could contribute to motorcycle crashes. In some instances, it is because automobile drivers are not vigilant in maintaining a lookout for motorcycles. Some possible scenarios that could lead to motorcycle accidents include:
- Automobile drivers violating the rider’s right of way
- Driving distracted
- Speeding
- Driving while under the influence of drugs or alcohol
- Failure to yield
- Rear-end collisions
- Reckless driving
- Sideswiping when changing lines
- Pulling out in front of the rider
- Poor road conditions
- Poor driving conditions, such as fog, heavy rain or ice
- Lack of motorcycle visibility, such as not seeing in blind spots
Motorcycle crashes often end in injury in addition to property damage. The costs of repairing the machine plus all of the medical care could be expensive. Depending on the type of injury and its severity you could be forced to pay for surgeries, physical therapy, extended use of medication or specialized equipment.
Some of the most common injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents include:
- Broken or fractured bones
- Cuts, scrapes or bruises
- Brain or head injuries
- Neck or spine injuries
- Severed limbs
- Internal organ injuries
- Contusions
Georgia Requirements for Bikers
Just as automobile have regulations they must meet, so do motorcycle drivers. If the person who caused your accident failed to abide by these requirements, this failure may be used as evidence to show they breached their duty when operating their motorcycle.
One of the most important aspects of riding a motorcycle is safety, and the state has taken measures to help keep drivers from getting injured. For example, it is required by law to wear a helmet while operating a motorcycle. The only alternative to wearing a helmet is if he or she is wearing protective headgear which complies with standards established by the commissioner of motor vehicle safety.
In addition to wearing a helmet, according to Georgia Statutes Annotated § 40-6-311, motorcycle drivers in Georgia also must not:
- Take both hands off the handlebars
- Have a passenger interfere with operation, including obstructing views
- Ride anywhere other than the permanent seat
- Carry more than one passenger
- Carry a package or bundle obstructing control
- Ride without some type of footwear in addition to socks
What to Do After a Motorcycle Accident
Motorcycle drivers often have the reputation of driving fast and riding dangerously. In fact, according to the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety, 35 percent of all motorcycle drivers who were involved in fatal crashes in 2011 were speeding. Because of this, it could be difficult to prove another party is at fault.
After a motorcycle accident occurs, the negligent party will often attempt to place the blame on the motorcycle driver. After you are involved in a motorcycle accident caused by a negligent driver, it is critical you contact an auto accident attorney after seeking medical help.
In Georgia, personal injuries actions must be brought within two years of the accident where the injury or injuries occurred. In some cases, it could be extended to two years from when the victim knew or should have known he or she was harmed.
For example, if you suffered neck injuries but did not discover the issue until a hospital visit weeks after the accident, the two-year period could begin at the time of the hospital visit. This is why it is important to speak to a personal injury attorney immediately.
The Balams Firm | A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in the Atlanta Area
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact an Atlanta motorcycle accident attorney at The Balams Firm. ReShea Balams will seek justice for her clients who were injured because of the negligence of another driver.
The Balams Firm is based in Atlanta and represents clients in Call (404) 445-2005 to schedule a free case evaluation.