Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in the Atlanta Area

Motorcycle collisions are a serious problem in the Atlanta area. While studies from the Federal Highway Administration show that fatalities from accidents involving other vehicles have generally declined over the years, fatal accidents involving motorcycles more than doubled over the course of a ten-year period.

It’s not surprising when you consider the volume of traffic in Decatur and other parts of the Atlanta metro area, and think of how vulnerable motorcyclists are compared with others on the road. Without the protections of metal frames, airbags, and impact crumple zones provided in cars and trucks, motorcyclists feel the full force of impact on their bodies. Injuries are often catastrophic and life-changing.

Yet, no matter how severely someone is hurt in a motorcycle accident, they still need to prove that another person’s negligence or reckless conduct caused the accident before they can recover compensation for their pain, suffering, and other extensive losses. An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer can help gather and preserve vital evidence, but to know what to look for, it’s helpful to understand the most common causes of motorcycle collisions in our area.

Drivers Not Watching During Turns and Lane Changes

Drivers of cars, trucks, and other four-wheeled vehicles aren’t usually watching out for the smaller profile of motorcycles and bicycles. While motorcyclists are usually aware of this and may try to watch for problems, it is still very common for drivers of cars and trucks to hit motorcycles while in the process of changing lanes or making a left turn. Many times, drivers are in a rush and they take only a cursory glance before turning or changing lanes. That irresponsible behavior can be considered legal negligence.

In addition to drivers who are in a hurry or who are lazy, there are those who lack the experience to know that they need to look closely before making a move. And of course, there are drivers who aren’t paying adequate attention to their surroundings because they are distracted by something around them, such as their cell phone.

While motorcyclists may exercise caution when making lane changes and turns, they can’t always anticipate when other drivers will make those moves, so even the most careful motorcycle riders can end up badly hurt in a collision that was not their fault.

Excessive Speed

Speed limits are set for a reason. They are designed to keep traffic at a speed that allows drivers to react safely to changes and problems on the road. When the weather is bad or conditions are hazardous due to debris or other causes, drivers often need to keep their speed well under the posted limit to maintain control of their vehicles.

But many people think they are too important to follow speed restrictions. Their misplaced confidence in their driving ability causes them to drive too fast for conditions on the road. This does not allow them time to react to unexpected moves by other motorists or problems on the road. For that reason, drivers who are speeding often cause accidents. In particular, speeding is often the cause of motorcycle accidents because drivers moving at a recklessly fast pace fail to spot the smaller profile of a motorcycle next to them or on the lane ahead.

When someone drives a car or truck at an unsafe speed and collides with a motorcycle, a motorcycle accident lawyer can demonstrate why that driver should be held liable and required to pay damages for pain, suffering, and other harm. 

If the motorcyclist is also driving too fast for conditions, their negligence may well have contributed to the cause of the accident. However, they can still recover compensation from the others responsible as long as the motorcyclist’s actions represent less than half the causation.  

Impaired Driving

Because motorcycles can be harder to see and recognize than other vehicles, drivers with impaired abilities are even less likely to see them than they are other vehicles, and that puts motorcyclists at a great risk. Impairment can be caused by factors such as alcohol and illegal drugs, but any factor that interferes with a driver’s vision, judgment, or reflexes can be a dangerous impairment to driving.

Over-the-counter cold medicines, for instance, can cause drowsiness or impair reflexes. For this reason, many medications contain warnings about driving after taking them. Prescription medications often have similar effects. When a driver disregards these warnings, they can be considered negligent and held responsible for accidents that occur as a result.

People can also have their judgment impaired by factors such as fatigue, grief, or anger, or a physical problem such as pink eye. Anything that prevents them from observing the road and reacting to conditions in a timely fashion is a dangerous impairment that can lead to a motorcycle accident.

Problems on the Road

Motorcyclists need to keep their vehicle balanced on two wheels, so they are far more vulnerable to poor conditions on the road than those driving other vehicles. For instance, if a dump truck spills gravel on the road, it may cause a bumpy ride for someone in an SUV, but the gravel could cause a motorcycle to skid and fall, potentially resulting in severe injuries to the rider. An attorney could help locate the trucking company responsible for the spill to hold them accountable for the accident.

Weather conditions that cause slick roads or poor visibility also often contribute to the cause of motorcycle accidents. Slippery roads can lead to falls, and limited visibility has a disproportionate effect on motorcyclists.

Michael M. Day Law Firm Helps People Hurt in Motorcycle Accidents

It can be very hard to focus on collecting and preserving evidence about the cause of a motorcycle accident if you’re unable to move or think straight because of your injuries. An insurance company may be able to convince you to accept a settlement that is far less than your claim is worth, and that will not provide the resources you need as you recover. These are two reasons why it is a good idea to talk to a motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible after you or a loved one has been injured in a collision.

At Michael M. Day Law Firm, we can help gather evidence to prove liability, and we can handle questions from investigators and the insurance companies so that you can focus on healing. Because we’ve helped so many accident victims recover in the past, we are able to provide a value for your case so that you are prepared to make informed decisions about when to accept a settlement. Call us at 404-480-4284 or contact us online now for a free consultation to learn more about the ways we can help.