Georgia is a beautiful state with pleasant weather most of the year. Aside from a thunder storm here and there and maybe a few “tornado warnings,” it’s breathtaking. Given Georgia’s natural beauty, it’s no wonder why motorcycle enthusiasts find the backroads the perfect place to ride.
Here in the Metro Atlanta Area, we have some great motorcycle clubs, including ABATE of Georgia, the Atlanta Born Losers Motorcycle Club, the Atlanta Motorcycle Club, the Black Roses RC – Marietta Chapter, the Atlanta No Name Riders, the Atlanta Motorcycle Enthusiasts, and the Blue Iron Motorcycle Club Georgia among others. Clearly, there is no shortage of motorcycle clubs in the region, and considering the freedom of the open road, we understand!
Motorcycles make you feel free; they’re cheap on gas and get you in and out of Atlanta traffic in a breeze. Unfortunately, motorcycles are inherently dangerous due to their lack of protection, especially when a negligent driver collides with a motorcyclist.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), “Motorcyclist deaths occurred 27 more times more frequently than fatalities in other vehicles, based on 2014 crash data.” What’s more, motorcyclists are six times more likely to be injured in a crash than passenger car occupants, according to the NHTSA.
What Causes Motorcycle Accidents?
As a rider, it’s your responsibility to ride drug and alcohol-free. It’s your duty to wear a U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) approved helmet, and to drive defensively. However, you can be the best rider in the world and you get hit by a driver who failed to be on the lookout for you. Unfortunately, this is how most motorcycle crashes happen.
In fact, most motorcycle accidents between a motorcycle and a motor vehicle are caused by drivers who had no idea the motorcyclist was there. “The majority of multi-vehicle motorcycle crashes generally are caused when other drivers simply didn’t see the motorcyclist,” says the NHTSA.
To protect yourself:
- Take a rider education course
- Wear a DOT-approved helmet
- Wear protective clothing
- Obey the traffic laws
- Always ride defensively
- Don’t ride under the influence of drugs or alcohol, including prescription drugs
To learn more about motorcycle rider-training courses, contact the Motorcycle Safety Foundation at (800) 446-9227.
If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in Smyrna, Kennesaw, Woodstock, or Marietta, contact Jones & Swanson at once to schedule a free consultation with a Smyrna motorcycle accident lawyer. Call now to see how we can help you!
Categories: Motorcycle Accident, Safety Tips
