A fatal motorcycle crash closed down Terrell Mill Road in Cobb County Tuesday night, including the I-75 express lane entrance and exit ramps for the roadway, and resulted in the death of a 42-year-old motorcyclist from Smyrna. The crash took place around 8:30 PM, when the motorcyclist was headed westbound on Terrell Mill Road, approaching the north express lanes. A white 2020 Honda CR-V was traveling eastbound on Terrell Mill Road in the left turn lane to get onto the north express lanes. As the Honda completed its turn, the motorcycle crashed into the right side of the vehicle, ejecting the rider.
The rider was transported to WellStar Kennestone Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. The driver of the car was not injured. Their passenger complained of injuries, but refused treatment at the scene. The accident is being investigated by the Cobb County Police Department’s Selective Traffic Enforcement Program (STEP), who is responsible for investigating all fatal traffic crashes in the county.
According to RideApart, left-turning vehicles present one of the biggest dangers to motorcyclists. This type of accident often occurs in intersections that do not feature a green turn arrow that provides the right-of-way specifically for those in the turn lane. On solid green lights, turning drivers only have the right-of-way if there is a gap in the traffic in opposing travel lanes in which to complete the turn. Drivers fail to recognize and yield to approaching motorcyclists when making their turns for a number reasons, including inattentional blindness, which is not a medical condition, but rather the way the brain prioritizes information in a chaotic situation.
If you’ve been injured or have lost a loved one due to a left-turn motorcycle accident, let an experienced motorcycle accident attorney from Cambre & Associates help you understand the process of seeking compensation for the expenses and impacts of your injury or loss. Contact us for a free case evaluation.
