Gwinnett County Motorcycle Accident Provides Grim Reminder of Danger Posed by Road Hazards
An accident a few months ago that was reported in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution serves as a warning regarding the risk posed by road debris to a motorcyclist. A motorcyclist was tragically killed when a tire blowout caused tire tread to litter I-85 at the I-985 split in Gwinnett County. The motorcyclist hit the debris in the roadway and lost control of his bike.
When the motorcyclist laid his bike down, a tractor-trailer could not avoid running over the man resulting in his tragic death. This terrible accident serves as a sad reminder that those who ride motorcycles on Atlanta and Georgia streets and highways face unique risks because even minor road defects or debris in the roadway can cause devastating motorcycle accidents.
Because motorcycles are less stable and lack the handling to safely make drastic adjustments, motorcycle riders are far more vulnerable to roadway defects and obstructions that would not even be noticeable to those in other types of vehicles. This extreme vulnerability is evidenced by the fact that there have been a number of motorcycle accidents in the area during the last few months. The majority of these accidents involved unsafe driving practices by other drivers or other factors over which the motorcyclist had little, if any, control.
It is important that the roadway remain clear and well-maintained. Any driver on Georgia roads has an obligation to make sure that cargo being transported is firmly secured and tires are checked regularly to avoid leaving dangerous roadway debris that may lead to potentially fatal Georgia motorcycle accidents. Public entities that maintain roadways also have a responsibility to repair potholes and maintain roadways so that they are free of defects that pose an unreasonable danger to motorcyclists. If you observe debris in the roadway or roadway defects, a call to report such hazards can help prevent dangerous motorcycle collisions in Georgia.
Examples of road obstructions and hazards include:
- Potholes
- Railroad tracks
- Wet roadways
- Uneven roadways
- Items that fall in roadway such as furniture, gravel, etc.
- Icy roads
- Expansion joints
- Painted road surfaces like crosswalk lines
- Oil spills in the street
If you are riding a motorcycle, you should be especially vigilant in watching for these types of road obstructions or hazards because they pose a significant risk of causing a Georgia motorcycle accident, which may also lead to exceptionally serious injuries. If you or a close family member is injured in a Georgia motorcycle accident, the experienced Georgia motorcycle accident attorneys at Montlick and Associates may be able to represent you in a personal injury lawsuit. Our Georgia motorcycle accident lawyers are available to assist clients throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including but not limited to Albany, Athens, Atlanta, Augusta, Columbus, Gainesville, Macon, Marietta, Rome, Roswell, Savannah, Smyrna, Valdosta, Warner Robins and all smaller cities and rural areas in the state. No matter where you are located our attorneys are just a phone call away, and we will even come to you. Call us 24 hours a day/7 days a week for your Free Consultation at 1-800-LAW-NEED (1-800-529-6333). You can also visit us online at www.montlick.com and use our Free Case Evaluation Form or 24-hour Live Online Chat.