Macon Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Why Macon’s Mixed Rural/Urban Roads Are So Dangerous for Riders

There is nothing quite like hitting the road on two wheels, but the thrill and freedom that comes with riding a motorcycle also increases the risks for bikers.

Motorcycle accidents can be life changing, both for bikers who are injured in collisions and their families. Bikers have very little physical protection between them, oncoming traffic and the pavement. Even low-speed collisions can result in severe injuries, long recovery periods, and financial strain.

Motorcyclists are nearly 24 times more likely than people in cars and other vehicles to be killed when accidents happen, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Bikers account for about 15% of all fatal traffic accidents each year.

The Macon motorcycle accident lawyers at Merritt & Merritt Law Firm help motorcycle riders who have been injured in a wide range of collisions. Our attorneys understand the pain and stress that can come with being involved in an accident, both for the person injured and his or her family. We are experienced attorneys who have dedicated our careers to getting our clients the full compensation available under the law.

Macon’s network of mixed urban and rural roads are particularly treacherous for people on motorcycles. Our attorneys have significant experience in motorcycle accident cases and a strong track record of successful results for the people that we represent.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, you are not alone. Our Macon motorcycle accident lawyers are just a phone call away. Call us today at 478-845-6464 to speak with an attorney about your rights and options.

How Motorcycle Accidents Happen

Motorcycle riders in Georgia, like elsewhere across the country, are significantly more likely than other drivers and passengers to die in accidents. Bikers make up only about 6% of licensed drivers in the state, but account for 18% of traffic fatalities every year, according to the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety.

Contrary to popular belief, many motorcycle accidents are not caused by reckless riding. Instead, crashes often happen because other drivers fail to see or respect motorcyclists on the road.

Here are some of the most common factors that our Macon uninsured motorist accident lawyers see:

• Failure to yield: These crashes account for a large portion of all motorcycle accidents, including many fatal collisions. They usually happen when a car or truck turning left collides with a motorcycle. Drivers frequently turn left in front of an oncoming motorcycle or pull out of intersections without noticing a rider.

• Unsafe lane changes: Motorcycles can be more difficult to spot than other vehicles for some drivers, given their size and ability to navigate traffic. Drivers may merge or change lanes without checking blind spots, sideswiping motorcyclists or forcing them off the road.
• Speeding and aggressive driving: Excessive speed reduces reaction time and increases the severity of injuries when a crash occurs.
• Distracted driving: Texting, using maps, eating and adjusting in-car technology can cause drivers to overlook motorcycles.
• Road hazards: Potholes, loose gravel, uneven pavement and poor road maintenance pose far greater risks to motorcycles than to cars.

Understanding how a crash happened is critical for determining who is to blame. Police reports, witness testimony and physical evidence can go a long way.

The Dangers of Rural and Urban Roads

Motorcycles are common sights on roadways across Macon, but the city’s urban and rural mix is particularly hazardous for bikers. Many motorcyclists know all too well that Macon’s highways, roads and streets are unpredictable, poorly designed and full of hidden hazards.

Mixed urban-rural roads are corridors where dense city traffic gradually gives way to rural conditions. In the metro Macon area, roads may pass through suburbs, industrial zones, farmland or small towns before opening into higher-speed rural stretches. Speed limits often change abruptly, traffic patterns shift and road design standards vary widely.

This is a perfect storm for motorcycle riders. They must constantly adjust to changing environments while sharing the road with drivers who may not anticipate motorcycles or understand how quickly conditions can change.

Inconsistent Speeds

One of the most dangerous features of Macon’s urban and rural mix is rapid and confusing speed transitions. A road may slow to 30 miles per hour near businesses or neighborhoods, then quickly jump to 55 miles per hour or higher once it clears city limits.

Drivers often fail to adjust appropriately. Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable when drivers accelerate aggressively after leaving urban areas or approach intersections and driverways far too fast. The higher the speed at the time of a collision, the greater the likelihood that a biker is catastrophically injured or killed.

Mixed-Use Roads

Mixed-use roads often feature numerous uncontrolled intersections, farm entrances, private driveways and gravel access points.

These are especially hazardous for motorcycles. Drivers pulling out from side roads or driveways may simply not see oncoming motorcycles or misjudge their speed.

Poor Lighting and Visibility

Lighting tends to drop off dramatically as roads leave urban areas. Streetlights may disappear entirely, even as traffic speeds increase at the very same time.

Visibility is a problem for all traffic in these situations, but is particularly risky for motorcyclists. Poor lighting makes it tougher for drivers to see motorcycles. And it makes it harder for bikers to spot animals, pedestrians, unmarked curves, narrowing lanes and road debris or damage.

Road Surface Hazards

Many single-vehicle motorcycle crashes occur because of unsafe road conditions. These hazards often are inconsequential to other vehicles, but pose particular threats to motorcyclists.

Some of the most common surface hazards include:

• Loose gravel
• Uneven pavement
• Oil, sand, or debris near industrial zones
• Poor drainage causing standing water

Poor road design and maintenance may also be to blame. Whether it is inadequate signage warning of speed changes, poorly designed intersections or simply the failure to maintain roads and shoulders, these mistakes can have tragic consequences. Government agencies or contractors may be responsible for unsafe conditions in these situations.

Biker Error in Accidents

Sometimes, of course, motorcyclists share at least some of the blame. Two of the biggest mistakes that bikers make are ditching helmets and riding with impaired by alcohol.

Helmet use has been widely shown to significantly cut down on the risk of catastrophic and deadly injuries when collisions happen. Yet many bikers hit the road without strapping on a helmet.

Georgia has a universal helmet law, which requires all motorcycle riders and passengers to wear helmets. More than half of all bikers killed in accidents are not wearing helmets in states without such laws on the books, NHTSA found. The number drops to 9% in states with strict helmet requirements.

More than a quarter (28%) of bikers involved in fatal accidents are impaired by alcohol, higher than the rates for drivers of other vehicle types. Alcohol impairment is cited in almost half (43%) of single-vehicle motorcycle fatalities.

Common Injuries in Georgia Motorcycle Accidents

All traffic accidents come with the risk of serious injuries. The dangers are more acute for people on motorcycles, however, because there is little or nothing protecting them from oncoming vehicles and the ground below. A collision that might only cause the drivers and passengers in cars to suffer minor injuries could lead to a catastrophic injury for a motorcyclist.

Some of the injuries most frequently sustained in motorcycle accidents include:

• Broken bones
• Burns and lacerations
• Road rash
• Traumatic brain injuries
• Spine, neck and back injuries
• Amputations
• Death

Injuries in traffic accidents may initially seem less severe than they actually are, whether it is because the injured person is in a state of shock or the symptoms simply are late to develop. Even injuries that are not immediately apparent in the aftermath of a crash can have significant long-term consequences. These injuries may require extensive medical treatment and limit your ability to earn a living.

Wrongful Death Claims for Fatal Motorcycle Accidents

In the tragic event that a person is killed in a motorcycle crash, his or her family has the right to seek compensation for wrongful death.

Nothing can be done to bring your loved one back and no amount of money will ever replace the person. Compensation can, however, offer some crucial financial security to people who are reeling from losing a family member.

The money damages typically available in wrongful death cases is designed to compensate family members for the loss of the support of their loved ones. It includes compensation for:

• Lost wages and future earnings
• Medical and funeral expenses
• Loss of companionship and emotional support

To get that compensation, family members have to file a civil suit for wrongful death. Georgia law limits who can sue for wrongful death to the deceased person’s spouse, children and parents (if no spouse or children).

Merritt & Merritt Law Firm Helps People Get Back on Their Feet

At Merritt & Merritt Law Firm, our Macon uninsured motorist accident lawyers are dedicated to helping people and families who have been injured through no fault of their own. We fight diligently to protect and defend our clients rights.

Our goal is to help you move on with your life after an accident by getting the full compensation available under the law. Call our team at 478-845-6464 for a free, no-risk consultation.