Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle riding can be as exhilarating as it is dangerous. If you choose to ride in Georgia, it is crucial that you exercise caution at all times. Remember to ride at speeds relative to the roadway conditions and to exercise safe riding habits.

Here are a few tips about how you can prevent a serious injury motorcycle accident:

• Read your owner’s manual. It is important to have a basic understanding of how your motorcycle works and what type of maintenance it may need.
• Perform an inspection. Before hitting the roadway, check the tires, cables, lights, horn, mirrors, oil, fuel, coolant, and brakes.
• Remain alert at all times. It is important that you are constantly looking for potential hazards while evaluating how to avoid them.
• Increase your visibility. Make sure your headlamps are on, wear bright clothes, and stay out of blind spots.
• Keep your distance. If you are traveling too close to the back or side of a car, it will be difficult to avoid a collision in an emergency situation.
• Stay sober. Motorcyclists who are under the influence of drugs or alcohol are in great danger of being fatally injured.
• Use caution when passing. It is not advisable to overtake another vehicle when approaching a corner or intersection.
• Ride with extra care at night. As it gets darker out, it becomes more difficult to determine distance between vehicles. When you have to ride at night, make sure you are in bright clothes and on well-lit streets.
• Wear the right gear. Under Georgia law, all motorcycle riders must have protective headgear. A helmet is not, however, the only gear you will need. It is important to wear a jacket that is made of thick material, pants to help you resist abrasion, gloves to prevent hand injuries, and boots with rubber soles.

Even the safest riders can get injured or killed in a Georgia motorcycle accident. If a negligent driver has injured you or a family member, please call The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C. at (404) 995-3955 for a no-cost consultation and case evaluation.

In December 2009, a woman was injured in an Atlanta motorcycle accident when her vehicle crashed into a large pothole. According to a My Fox Atlanta news report, documents show that the city of Atlanta had been warned of the pothole back in October 2009, two months before the crash. Officials say that a metal plate was left over the pothole, but full repairs were not made until days after the accident. The city later agreed to pay the woman injured in the crash $220,000 to settle her lawsuit.

Determining liability for an Atlanta traffic accident can be a complicated process. Potentially liable parties for a traffic accident include motorists involved in the accident, the manufacturer of a potentially defective auto part, or even the city if the accident occurred as the result of a dangerous roadway condition.

Victims of injury accidents often have it in their best interest to contact a skilled personal injury lawyer who will work with investigators to determine the cause of the crash.

Victims of Atlanta traffic accidents can pursue financial compensation for their losses by filing a claim against the at-fault party. Depending on the cause of the crash, compensation may be available for medical bills, time away from work, pain and suffering, hospitalization, the cost of rehabilitation services, and other related damages.

The experienced traffic accident injury lawyers in Atlanta at the Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C., know how to determine liability for an accident. We provide free case evaluations at (404) 995-3955 to anyone who has been injured in a Georgia traffic accident.

A 24-year-old woman was injured in a Georgia traffic accident involving a head-on collision between a motorcycle and an SUV. According to a WLTZ news report, the motorcycle crash occurred at Milgen Road and Milgen Court in Columbus. Officials are trying to determine if the victim’s motorcycle crossed the centerline before crashing into the SUV. She has been listed in critical condition and the SUV’s driver was hospitalized with back and neck pain. It is not clear if either motorist will face citations for the collision.

There are a number of questions that arise whenever a head-on collision occurs at an intersection. Did the accident result from a motorist drifting into oncoming traffic, or did the collision occur as the result of a dangerous left turn? Did one of the drivers fail to yield the right of way at the intersection? Did one of the drivers enter oncoming traffic while fatigued or under the influence of drugs or alcohol? Did a dangerous roadway condition contribute to the crash?

Anyone who has suffered a serious injury in a Georgia car accident can protect his or her legal rights and options by speaking with an experienced attorney. A skilled traffic accident attorney will work with investigators to determine what caused the accident and help determine if compensation should be available for the victim’s medical bills, lost wages, and other related damages.

The knowledgeable Georgia motorcycle accident injury lawyers at Wayne Grant, P.C., have a reputation for successfully handling serious injury accidents in Georgia. We provide free consultations on all potential claims at (404) 995-3955. Please call us today to discuss how you can pursue compensation for your considerable losses.

A 22-year-old Canton woman was injured in a Georgia traffic accident when a truck struck her motorcycle. According to a CBS Atlanta news report, the motorcycle crash occurred on GA 140 at Hickory Nut Drive in Cherokee County. Officials say a 62-year-old man was driving a Chevrolet S10 truck that struck the motorcycle and ran the female rider over. She sustained serious injuries in the crash. The truck driver remained at the scene and was not cited for the crash.

Georgia motorcycle accidents often result in serious or fatal injuries. In the year 2008, 12 percent of the people killed in Georgia traffic accidents were motorcyclists. According to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS), the 177 people killed in Georgia motorcycle accidents in the year 2008 reflects the highest highway motorcycle fatality count in 15 years. GOHS also reports that nearly a third of all fatal motorcycle crashes between the years 2004 and 2008 occurred in Fulton, Gwinnett, Cobb, DeKalb, and Chatham counties.

Victims who survive a Georgia motorcycle accident can pursue financial compensation for their losses by filing a personal injury claim against the at-fault party. In cases involving negligence, compensation should be available for the victim’s medical bills, pain and suffering, lost wages, and other related damages. However, many claims are disputed and it is common for drivers to deny responsibility for the crash.

The experienced motorcycle accident injury lawyers in Georgia at Wayne Grant, P.C., have helped motorcycle accident victims and their families obtain fair compensation for their losses. Please contact us at (404) 995-3955 for a free and comprehensive consultation.

A 30-year-old man was killed and a 12-year-old boy was injured in a Georgia car accident involving a collision between a 2005 Honda CBR 600 motorcycle and a 2007 Toyota Sienna LE minivan. According to a news report in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, the fatal motorcycle accident occurred at Pawnee Drive and Shawnee Lane in Marietta. Officials say the 30-year-old female driver of the minivan made a left turn into the path of the motorcycle. The motorcyclist was killed and his 12-year-old passenger suffered what appears to be a non-life-threatening injury. The driver of the Toyota has not been cited for the crash, but the investigation is ongoing.

According to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GHSA), 177 people were killed in Georgia motorcycle accidents in the year 2008. That number reflects a steady increase from the 163 fatalities suffered in 2007, the 154 fatal injuries resulting from motorcycle accidents in the year 2006, and the 144 motorcycle accident fatalities in 2005. Additionally, 5,051 registered motorcyclists were involved in accidents in the year 2008, resulting in 3,471 injuries.

It is common for Georgia motorcycle accidents to occur at intersections. When a driver causes serious or fatal injuries by failing to properly yield the right of way to a motorcyclist, he or she can be held liable. The experienced motorcycle accident attorneys in Atlanta at the Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C., help victims and their families get fair compensation for their losses. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, please contact us at (404) 995-3955 for a free and comprehensive consultation, and please visit our client testimonials to read what past clients have to say about our legal services.

Motorcycle accidents can cause serious injury or even death. Often, the person who suffers the most damage in a motorcycle crash is the motorcyclist, who doesn’t have the protection that a motor vehicle affords.

Motor vehicle drivers have a responsibility to share the road with all other vehicles, including motorcycles. Here are some ways you can share the road safely with motorcyclists and help prevent serious motorcycle accidents in Georgia:

• Never drive, walk, or ride a bike while distracted. Pull over and stop before you have to read a map, make a phone call, or do anything else that might take your attention from the road.
• Give a motorcyclist a full lane. It’s never safe to try and ride alongside a motorcyclist in the same lane of traffic, even if the road looks wide enough.
• Leave extra room between the front of your vehicle and the back of a motorcycle. This will allow you to stop in time to avoid hitting the motorcyclist or the bike if the bike suddenly swerves or the rider loses control.
• Double-check your mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes, as motorcycles may be hard to see. Always signal before changing lanes so that motorcyclists can see what you’re planning and adjust their own speed and position accordingly.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a motorcycle accident, the skilled Atlanta motorcycle accident attorneys at The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C. can help. Call us today for a free and confidential telephone consultation. Our number is (404) 995-3955.

Choosing a motorcycle that fits your body is key not only to your comfort on the road, but also to keeping maximum control over your bike, and thus being able to protect yourself as well as possible if an emergency situation or Georgia motorcycle accident occurs, according to Motorcycle.com. By keeping a few fit points in mind, you can improve your safety and enjoy your rides more.

When you sit on a bike, your toes should touch the ground well enough to allow you to balance or stand on them when the bike is at a stop. Your hands should rest on the hand grips comfortably, without straining in your shoulders, arms, or wrists, and your feet should rest on the foot pegs without straining or cramping when the motorcycle is in motion or on its stand.

At The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C., our knowledgeable motorcycle accident lawyers in Atlanta represent bikers who have been injured in a wide range of accident situations. We strive to provide the best possible representation to every client, protecting your legal rights while seeking compensation from any negligent parties who may have been responsible for your accident. For a free and confidential consultation, call us today at (404) 995-3955.

Wearing a motorcycle helmet reduces the chances that the rider will suffer a head or face injury in a crash and reduces the severity of these types of injuries when they do occur, according to a recent study published by the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

The NHTSA study examined data from 104,472 motorcycle accidents in 18 states over three years. By crunching the numbers, researchers revealed some interesting facts that should encourage any rider never to get on a bike without a helmet.

For instance, while 15 percent of motorcyclists suffered traumatic brain injuries (TBI) in accidents when they were wearing a helmet, that number shot up to 21 percent among those who were not wearing a helmet. TBIs are a particular concern among motorcyclists because, when they do occur, they can cause serious impairment or even death. In the NHTSA study, TBIs accounted for only 17 percent of the reasons motorcyclists injured in crashes were admitted to the hospital; however, they accounted for 54 percent of the causes of death.

In addition to avoiding or mitigating the severity of a TBI, a motorcycle helmet can also help prevent serious facial injuries, which can cause impairment or scarring. Only 5.5 percent of riders who wore helmets suffered serious facial injuries in the study, while 6.1 percent of riders without helmets suffered them. The NHTSA recommends using a helmet with a proper face shield to further reduce the risk of facial injuries.

Motorcycle riding can be thrilling, but when an accident occurs, the thrill can turn to tragedy in an instant. If you or someone you love has been injured in a bike crash, the experienced Atlanta motorcycle accident injury attorneys at The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C. can help. For a free and confidential consultation, call us today at (404) 995-3955.

Not everyone comes to the decision to take up motorcycling in the same way, but regardless of why a person decides to learn to ride, there is a proper way to do it. The American Motorcyclist Association (AMA) offers the following tips for new riders so they may never regret their decision to join the motorcycling world:

1. Get your license, be legal. It’s all about attitude. Both unlicensed and licensed riders may have skill and experience, but licensed riders tend to take motorcycling more seriously, and thus are involved in fewer accidents. Start off right and get your license.
2. Take a training course. Knowing someone who rides is great, but he or she is not usually the best choice when you need someone to train you. Go with an objective and licensed professional.
3. Get an inexpensive, less powerful motorcycle as your first bike. You may have started riding because of that dream bike, but it may not be the best choice for the motorcycle you will be learning on and likely dropping multiple times.
4. Wear the proper gear. This means helmet, gloves, jacket, boots, and riding pants. You don’t have the protection of a car as a motorcyclist. It’s just you and the road, so make sure you’re protected.
5. Ride with others. One of the best ways to develop and improve your own skills is to ride with experienced motorcyclists.

Even if you do everything right, you may not be able to protect yourself from every accident situation. Most motorcycle accidents in Georgia are caused by negligent and/or reckless drivers who do not know how to share the road with motorcyclists. If you or a loved one has been injured in a Georgia motorcycle accident caused by another motorist, the dedicated motorcycle accident lawyers in Atlanta at The Law Offices of Wayne Grant, P.C., can help you pursue compensation from the at-fault party. To learn more about your legal rights and options, call us today at (404) 995-3955 or toll-free at (866) 249-5513.

Georgia’s long, open roads are a prime destination for motorcycle riders. But like any riding environment, motorcyclists are significantly more vulnerable to accidents and injuries than other motor vehicle operators, showing the need for increased motorcycle safety. The Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety (GOHS) reported 192,782 registered bikes in the state in 2008. From that riding pool, riders were involved in 5,051 crashes throughout the state, which resulted in 3,471 injuries and 177 fatalities.

The high percentage of accidents that result in injuries for motorcycle riders can be attributed to numerous factors, with rider vulnerability at the top of the list. Motorcycles are often lost in the sea of larger, heavier vehicles while moving through traffic; thus, one slight oversight or miscalculation by another vehicle driver can prove devastating for riders.

Common causes of motorcycle accidents with cars include:

• Speeding or other reckless driving
• Crashes while changing lanes
• Sudden braking or following too closely
• Distracted driving
• Driving too fast for the weather

These accidents can cause a slew of severe injuries, from broken bones to head trauma to spinal cord damage and more. For the highest level of protection on the road, riders should be sure they have the proper gear, including a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) endorsed helmet (equipped with a full protective face shield), a sturdy leather jacket, leather bottoms, quality boots, and strong gloves. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident that you believe was the fault of another driver, contact the Atlanta motorcycle accident attorneys with The Law Office of Wayne Grant, P.C. To learn more about your rights, call 1(866) 249-5513 for a complimentary case review with a lawyer today.