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Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Injury Lawyers

Common Types of Motorcycle Accidents in Atlanta

Many auto accidents, including rear-end accidents, T-bone crashes and side swiping, can happen to anyone, regardless of the type of vehicle they’re driving. Motorcyclists are at risk for a handful of additional accident types, as well as more severe consequences if they’re involved in one of the more traditional auto accidents.

Left-Turn Accidents

The size of motorcycles and the unfamiliarity the average motorist has with how they operate often leads to misjudgments of the distance and speed of oncoming riders. This makes turn-related accidents, where a driver turns in front of a rider, much more common. These scenarios are particularly dangerous when the rider doesn’t have time to slow down or stop, or if they are forced to swerve into another lane to avoid the crash.

Maybe the most dangerous turn crashes are left turn accidents, where a driver turns left in front of an oncoming motorcyclist traveling at a high rate of speed. These crashes often cause the rider to be launched into or over the vehicle they strike and can lead to severe head injuries, spinal injuries or deaths.

Lane Splitting Accidents

Georgia is not one of the states that has passed lane splitting laws, but that doesn’t stop every rider from occasionally using the practice. The safety and value of lane splitting is a legitimate topic of debate, and there are many states where it’s legal and regularly performed safely. Regardless, lane splitting is still illegal in Georgia, and being injured in an accident while lane splitting can complicate your claim and potentially result in claim denial.

However, there are motorcycle crash scenarios where the other driver could be partially or even primarily responsible for the crash, even if you were lane splitting. Just because you were violating a traffic law doesn’t mean other drivers have legal permission to drive recklessly and injure you without consequences. If you were involved in a lane splitting crash, you should still contact a lawyer for a consultation. 

Rear-End Motorcycle Crashes

Motorcyclists are less visible than other vehicles. Even when drivers do see them, they don’t always properly judge the distance between their vehicle and motorcyclists or give riders adequate space when waiting behind them at a stop light.

Rear-end crashes are inherently more dangerous for riders. A low-speed tap that would leave a driver with no injuries or a minor case of whiplash could result in potentially catastrophic injuries for a motorcyclist.

This is one of the reasons why so many motorcycle advocacy groups lobby state lawmakers for lane splitting legalization. Lane splitting at lights almost completely eliminates the risk of riders being rear-ended.

If you’ve been rear-ended on your motorcycle in Atlanta, it’s likely in your best interest to consult with a motorcycle injury attorney who understands these cases and their unique complications.

Dooring Accidents

Dooring accidents are somewhat unique to bicyclists and riders. Dooring occurs when a driver or passenger in a parked car on the side of the road opens their door in the path of a bike rider or motorcyclist coming up from behind them. Bike riders are most at risk since they’re typically closer to the edge of the road and in the path of opening doors, but dooring can happen to motorcyclists on narrow roads as well.

These are less risky for people in vehicles. A car hitting an open door is likely to take the door off and leave the vehicle occupants relatively protected. Bike riders and motorcyclists obviously don’t have the same level of shielding or cushioning, resulting in a higher risk for serious injuries.  

Road Hazard Motorcycle Crashes

Road hazards that affect stability or result in sudden stops can cause highside accidents (a rider being thrown in front of their bike). A motorcycle striking a deep pothole could cause a rapid deceleration or stop that sends the rider over their handlebars. Other road debris, like spilled oil, gravel, tires or parts of tires, tree branches and other detritus that might only cause cosmetic damage to a commuter vehicle or truck can cause a motorcyclist to lose control and be thrown from their bike.

These crashes often result in catastrophic injuries and no obvious culprit to cover the costs. If you’ve been in a single-vehicle accident caused by a pothole or road debris, it may still be worth your time to call a motorcycle crash attorney.

There are some cases where the city or the owner of the road could be liable for poor maintenance or improper cleaning practices. In cases where items that fell off a truck or car caused a single-vehicle motorcycle accident, it may be possible to identify the driver who let their cargo fall into the road and hold them liable.

Don’t Give Up Hope After a Motorcycle Accident in Atlanta

Riders involved in motorcycle accidents often suffer severe or even catastrophic injuries that leave them with permanent disabilities or limited mobility. These types of injuries have far-reaching consequences on every aspect of life, from your ability to earn a living to your state of mind.

Riders deserve to recover not just for the financial impact of their crash but also for the pain and suffering they’ve been forced to endure. The team at the Law Office of Rickard, Drew & Nix is committed to fighting for injured riders. Call us at (404) 588-1001 for a free consultation.