Macon Motorcycle Accident Injury Lawyers

Macon Motorcycle Crash Injury Attorneys

Motorcycle Accidents in Macon

There are many types of collisions involving motorcycles that can cause life-altering injuries and even fatalities. The specific nature of your accident will determine the negligent conduct, responsible parties and the types of injuries.

Regardless of the specific type of motorcycle crash, motorcycle enthusiasts face a disproportionate risk of experiencing the types of devastating injuries that alter every aspect of one’s life. Our experienced Georgia motorcycle accident attorneys at Montlick handle all types of motorcycle collision cases including:

Impaired Visibility Collisions: Motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles, so that they are difficult to see in dense traffic. These challenges are increased by fog, heavy rain or darkness that further limits visibility. When a driver of a passenger vehicle cannot see a motorcycle, the driver may violate a motorcyclist’s right of way.

Single-Vehicle Motorcycle Accidents: Single-vehicle motorcycle accidents are generally caused by road defects like potholes or by cargo that falls off vehicles and create road obstructions. When public entities know or should know that the road surface is unsafe or that there is debris in the roadway, they may have a legal duty to correct the hazard before a motorcycle “wipes out.” The owner of a vehicle that drops debris into the road, such as a dump truck, is could be held responsible for the dangerous condition they create. Single vehicle motorcycle accidents can also occur when a bike has defective components, such as tires that fail, or a malfunctioning steering mechanism.

Rear-end Impact Motorcycle Accidents: Drivers of cars, trucks or SUVs that fail to concentrate on the road ahead or misjudge speed and distance can slam into bikes from behind. While rear-end accidents involving passenger vehicles are frequently minor fender-benders, those involving motorcycle collisions are extremely dangerous because of the lack of stability of bikes and the risk that the bike or rider will be thrown into traffic.

Other Motorcycle Accidents: While the above are common types of motorcycle accidents, others include left turn motorcycle crashes, side-impact motorcycle accidents, unsafe lane changing motorcycle collisions, intersection motorcycle accidents, and more.

When Someone Else Is Responsible for Your Injury

Negligence is often to blame for a motorcycle accident involving larger vehicles, such as passenger cars, SUVs, busses and tractor trailers, among others. Negligence occurs when a person does not act as a reasonable person would under the same or similar circumstances. All drivers operating vehicles on our streets and highways owe a duty to other motorists (including motorcyclists) to operate their vehicles reasonably to avoid causing an accident that can lead to serious injuries or death.

A moment of carelessness can cause a crash. For example, if a driver is distracted or changes lanes without looking carefully for other vehicles, he or she may cause an unnecessary accident that can turn fatal in the blink of an eye. If a driver of a passenger vehicle or truck acted negligently and caused a collision, the injured motorcyclist can normally pursue compensation against those responsible to account for his or her suffering.

Increased Risk

Motorcyclists love the Peach State for its open roads and diverse landscapes. Whether it’s a ride through Macon’s country roads or a coastal cruise farther south in Tybee, motorcycle rides through Georgia are often a welcome escape from daily obligations. However, they can end in disaster in an instant.

Hundreds of thousands of motorcyclists in Georgia face a much higher rate of injury and death as compared to individuals traveling in cars. In fact, the likelihood of dying in a motorcycle accident is 27 times higher than the chance of being killed while traveling in a car. The increased risk faced by motorcyclists is no great surprise considering that motorcyclists are not protected by a steel frame and seatbelts like individuals riding in cars. Also, motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles on the road, often creating a visibility issue for drivers.

While the design of the motorcycle itself can pose an increased risk of harm to motorcyclists, other motorists on the roadway still owe the same duty of care to motorcyclists as they would any other driver on our streets and highways. When a Macon, Georgia motorcyclist suffers injury or death because of another motorist’s negligent conduct, that injured motorcyclist likely has the opportunity to hold the negligent party accountable.

It goes without saying that motorcycle accidents can be catastrophic, leading to permanent injuries, the inability to work, and endless medical bills, among other life-altering damages. At Montlick, we have decades of experience representing individuals injured or killed while riding motorcycles in and around Macon, Georgia.