Motorcycle accidents can result in serious injuries because riders have considerably less physical protection than occupants of passenger vehicles. After a crash, medical concerns are usually the first priority, but injured riders may also have questions about insurance, liability, and their legal options.
Understanding what to do after an accident can help protect your health and preserve important information about what happened.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle crashes can happen for many of the same reasons as other vehicle accidents. Distracted driving, speeding, aggressive driving, and driving under the influence can all contribute to collisions.
Motorcycles can also face risks that are particularly relevant to riders. A driver may fail to notice a motorcycle when turning left, changing lanes, entering an intersection, or merging into traffic.
Because motorcycles are smaller than passenger vehicles, visibility can be an important factor in certain crashes.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle riders do not have the same structural protection as people inside passenger vehicles. As a result, a collision or fall can cause significant injuries.
Common injuries following motorcycle crashes can include broken bones, lacerations, road rash, burns, internal injuries, spinal injuries, and traumatic brain injuries.
Some injuries may not be immediately obvious after a crash. Seeking medical attention promptly can help identify injuries and create documentation of the treatment received.
What Should You Do After a Motorcycle Crash?
If you are involved in a motorcycle accident, your immediate focus should be safety and medical care.
If possible, move to a safe location and contact emergency services when necessary. Law enforcement can document the crash, while medical professionals can evaluate potential injuries.
You should also consider preserving information from the accident scene when it is safe to do so. Photographs of the motorcycle, other vehicles, roadway conditions, visible injuries, traffic signs, and other relevant details may be useful when determining what happened.
Witness contact information and the police report may also become important later.
Seek Medical Attention
Even if you initially feel relatively well, it is important to take injuries seriously after a motorcycle crash.
Some injuries may not produce significant symptoms immediately. A medical professional can evaluate you and determine whether further treatment or diagnostic testing is appropriate.
Medical records can also document the relationship between the accident and the injuries you report.
Georgia Motorcycle Helmet Requirements
Georgia law requires motorcycle operators and passengers to wear helmets that meet applicable federal standards. The source page also notes that helmet use can be relevant when evaluating injuries and potential claims.
Wearing appropriate protective equipment is an important part of motorcycle safety, but a rider’s failure to use protective equipment does not necessarily answer every question about responsibility for a crash.
Understanding Fault After a Motorcycle Accident
Determining who is responsible for a motorcycle accident can involve multiple factors.
The actions of other drivers, road conditions, visibility, traffic signals, vehicle maintenance, and the conduct of the motorcycle rider may all become relevant depending on the circumstances.
Georgia’s rules regarding fault can also affect a personal injury claim. The source page explains that Georgia applies a modified comparative negligence rule, under which a plaintiff’s recovery can be reduced based on their percentage of fault, provided they are not 50% or more responsible for the accident.
Because the circumstances of every crash are different, determining fault requires looking at the specific facts and available evidence.
Dealing With Insurance Companies
Insurance companies may become involved soon after a motorcycle accident. You may be asked to provide information about the collision, your injuries, medical treatment, and property damage.
It is important to be careful when discussing an accident before you fully understand the extent of your injuries and damages.
Keeping copies of medical records, bills, repair estimates, insurance correspondence, photographs, and other documentation can help you maintain an organized record of the claim.
When Should You Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer?
Not every motorcycle accident requires legal representation. However, speaking with an attorney may be useful when an accident results in significant injuries, disputed liability, substantial property damage, or complications with an insurance claim.
A motorcycle accident lawyer in Atlanta can review the circumstances surrounding a collision and explain the legal options that may be available based on the fact
