A weekend motorcycle accident in Acworth resulted in the death of a 24-year-old rider, according to a report from Fox 5. The accident occurred around 6:35 pm on Highway 92 at Ridge Mill Drive when a passenger car made a left turn into the path of a motorcyclist heading straight through the opposing travel lane. The rider, identified as Tyler Cole Letson of Luna, was transported to the hospital after the crash, where he later died of his injuries. The 53-year-old female who was driving the car suffered serious, non-life threatening injuries and a juvenile who was riding in the front passenger seat of the car sustained minor injuries. As of the time of the report, it was unclear if charges would be filed.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 40 percent of fatal motorcycle accidents that involve another vehicle were caused when the vehicle turned left while the motorcycle was going straight, passing, or overtaking a vehicle. 41 percent of all motorcycle crashes involve a driver who failed to see the motorcycle. Because vehicles have a smaller, slimmer profile than other vehicle types, many drivers have difficulty seeing them, particularly at intersections where the driver’s brain is focused on identifying the largest hazards, such as much larger vehicles commonly traveling the roadway at the same time. Further compounding the issue is the reality that even when a left-turning driver sees a motorcycle approaching the intersection, they often misjudge the speed at which the motorcycle is traveling and think they have enough time to complete their turn.
If you have been injured or have lost a loved one to a motorcycle accident in the Atlanta region, an experienced attorney from Cambre & Associates can explain to you the claims process you can use to seek compensation for the economic and psychological costs of your injury or loss. Contact us for your free case evaluation.