If you ride a motorcycle, you may enjoy the sense of freedom you experience on the open road. Unfortunately, motorcycles are among the most dangerous types of vehicles because they can travel as fast as cars but offer riders no protection in a crash. It is up to both riders and drivers to share the road safely so everyone can get home to their families.
If you have been hurt while riding, a Suwanee motorcycle accident lawyer from Barrios Virguez Attorneys: Accident & Injury Law can explain your legal options. Our dedicated personal injury attorneys are here to help you seek financial compensation from the other driver’s insurance to take care of yourself and your family.
How Does the Law Protect Motorcyclists From Injury?
Although motorcycles use the same roads and can travel at the same speeds as cars and large commercial trucks, they lack many of the same safety features, such as seatbelts and a protective metal frame. This means nothing is preventing a rider from being thrown off their bike in a collision. Thankfully, there are various laws designed to protect riders.
It has been proven repeatedly that wearing a helmet is one of the easiest and most effective ways to protect against traumatic head injuries. Helmet laws vary by state, but Georgia requires all riders to wear helmets at all times, according to Georgia Code § 40-6-315.
Motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles, so they tend to disappear in blind spots and are harder to notice from a distance. Motorcyclists can increase visibility while riding by keeping headlights and taillights on at all times, which is another requirement under Ga. Code § 40-6-312(e).
A bike’s narrow frame allows it to weave in between vehicles, a practice called lane splitting. Similarly, lane filtering is when the motorcycle moves between stopped vehicles on the road. While these are common maneuvers for bikers, they are dangerous because other drivers may not see the bike before it is too late. As such, both lane splitting and lane filtering are illegal under Ga. Code § 40-6-312(a).
Unfortunately, even when a motorcyclist follows the law, collisions can still happen due to another driver’s carelessness. If you were involved in a motorcycle crash, it is essential to seek guidance from a Suwanee attorney. Injured riders may have a legal claim against the at-fault driver.
Understanding the State’s Comparative Negligence Law
Like other states, Georgia has a modified form of comparative negligence, which means an injured party’s compensation may be reduced if they were partially responsible for the accident. The compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault attributed to the victim under Ga. Code § 51-12-33. For example, if an injured motorcyclist was 25 percent responsible for a crash, they can still receive 75 percent of the award. However, if they were 50 percent or more at fault, they would receive nothing.
If a rider suffered a head injury in a crash and was not wearing a helmet, this may affect their claim. A skilled Suwanee lawyer can help ensure the focus remains on the driver’s negligent actions in a motorcycle collision case.
Get Help From a Suwanee Attorney After a Motorcycle Wreck
If you have been injured while riding, talk to a Suwanee motorcycle accident lawyer at Barrios Virguez Attorneys: Accident & Injury Law. We are dedicated to defending what matters, including your health and well-being after a crash.
Call Barrios Virguez Attorneys: Accident & Injury Law for a free initial consultation on your case. Our team will listen to your story and start working toward a solution.
N/a
