Paulding Motorcyclists Dies on Dangerous but Popular Stretch of Road Called "The Dragon"
The tragic death of a Paulding County man while riding on a treacherous stretch of roadway known as the “Dragon” provides a sad reminder of the vulnerability of motorcycle enthusiasts. The Paulding man was riding a 2005 Kawasaki motorcycle when the rear wheel locked up according to a news article in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution (AJC). Our attorneys and staff at Montlick and Associates express our deepest condolences to the family of the fatally injured rider.
The AJC report indicates that the man was passing a slower moving motorcyclist when he slowed for a left-hand curve in the roadway. The motorcycle enthusiast's rear-wheel locked up and caused the bike to undergo a straight line skid according to a press release from the sheriff’s office. The rider laid the bike down during the skid and was ejected from the motorcycle according to the press release. The rider was thrown into a tree before tumbling down an embankment. Although the rider was wearing a helmet, he did not survive his injuries.
While the reason the rear tire of the motorcycle locked up has not been reported, the stretch of roadway is both an attraction and hazard for motorcyclists. The stretch of roadway referred to as the “Dragon” contains 318 curves over a stretch of roadway that is just a touch longer than eleven miles. Although motorcyclists come from all over the U.S. to ride the Dragon, the necessity to negotiate a high number of tight curves presents ample opportunity for motorcyclists to be involved in accidents caused by an array of factors, which include rider inexperience, inattentive drivers of passenger cars, adverse weather conditions, alcohol-impaired drivers, motorcycle defects, improperly maintained motorcycles or a multitude of other factors.
While it is unclear whether the family of the Paulding County man involved in this fatal motorcycle accident will pursue a wrongful death claim, the unique nature of the stretch of roadway may pose a basis for asserting liability against the public entity charged with the construction and maintenance of the Dragon. The eleven mile stretch of roadway was the site of 228 motorcycle accidents during a recent five year time period according to The Daily Times. Another 57 collisions during that same period involved four wheel vehicles.
Given the frequency of accidents on this stretch of roadway, the question of liability of the public entity in charge of the roadway will depend on whether it should have known of the need for additional safety measures and whether appropriate remedial measures were taken. If the family seeks the legal advice of a wrongful death attorney, he may need to consider the posted speed limit, warning signs, accident history of the Dragon and other factors. The manufacturer of the motorcycle or a repair shop that worked on the bike may also be liable if their action or inaction contributed to the rear tire locking while the rider was attempting to negotiate the curve. Strict legal time deadlines apply to all claims, and the time frames are much shorter typically for claims against government entities.
If you or someone you loved has been injured in a motorcycle accident or a family member has died, you may have a right to seek financial compensation for personal injury or wrongful death. Our experienced Georgia motorcycle accident attorneys at Montlick and Associates are available to provide effective legal representation to those throughout all of Georgia and the Southeast, including 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.