Even a minor motorcycle accident in Atlanta can cause devastating injury. Because motorcycles offer so little protection from the road and from potential hazards, riders may end up with lifelong impact from motorcycle collisions. Understanding common causes of motorcycle collisions in Atlanta can not only help you reduce the potential for serious injury in an accident, it may help you determine which party might bear liability for your motorcycle accident.
Who is at Fault in Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcycle accidents can occur due to a variety of reasons. Fault frequently rests with the driver that committed the dangerous error. For example, motorcycle accidents may occur due to:
Driver Inattention
The considerably smaller size of motorcycles can make it much more difficult for the drivers of passenger vehicles to see them on the road. Motorcycles frequently fit into a car’s blind spot. In blind spot accidents, the driver of the passenger vehicle might not ever even notice the presence of the motorcycle (though that driver would still bear liability for the accident). For instance, in a tragic case, a motorcyclist was killed in Henry County in a crash involving two tractor-trailers, highlighting the severe consequences of driver inattention.
Lane Splitting
Lane splitting, or driving between two lanes of traffic, may make a motorcycle rider feel as though he can save time and move through traffic more easily. Unfortunately, lane splitting can also pose a serious hazard, since the drivers of other vehicles might not note the presence of the motorcycle. Lane splitting motorcycle riders may bear liability for accidents caused by their negligent actions.
Reckless Driving Behavior
Sometimes, both motorcycle riders and the drivers of passenger vehicles may engage in reckless driving behavior that poses a danger to one another on the road. Frequently, the driver that engages in that reckless behavior, from speeding to tailgating or changing lanes rapidly, will bear liability for a motorcycle accident.
Weather Hazards
Weather hazards can mean potential disaster out on the streets of Atlanta. Even drivers of passenger vehicles may have a more difficult time navigating in dangerous weather conditions, including rain or ice and snow. Unfortunately, motorcycle riders may face even more hazards. Frequently, motorcycle riders have a hard time controlling their bikes in dangerous weather. Motorcycles have just two wheels to hold onto the road and a lighter frame, which can make them more prone to serious accidents. Furthermore, bad weather may decrease overall visibility. The driver that commits an error that results in an accident, whether the driver of the motorcycle or the driver of the passenger vehicle, may bear liability for that accident. If you find yourself in such a situation, it’s important to know what to do if you are in a truck accident in Atlanta, Georgia.
In another unfortunate incident, a Marietta man was struck by a car outside his own home, highlighting the dangers pedestrians and motorcyclists face even in seemingly safe environments. Understanding liability and taking appropriate legal action can be crucial in such cases.