Georgia’s long stretches of open highway make it a popular destination for motorcycle enthusiasts across the region. The freedom of cruising down an open road offers an unparalleled sense of exhilaration. However, the joys of riding come hand-in-hand with serious risks. When motorcycle collisions occur at high speeds on Georgia’s highways, the results are often catastrophic. Without the protection of an enclosed vehicle, motorcyclists absorb enormous crash forces that lead to traumatic injuries and fatalities. For victims suffering severe injuries in a motorcycle wreck, legal options may exist to recover compensation for their losses.
Motorcycle Physics Lead to Greater Injuries
Unlike a car or truck, motorcycles lack the protective structure, airbags, and seatbelts that help mitigate crash forces. When a motorcycle hits another vehicle or object, the rider often takes the brunt of the impact. At highway speeds, the human body simply cannot withstand the extreme forces involved in a motorcycle accident.
On impact at 65 mph, approximately 12 times the force of gravity is exerted on a motorcyclist. This can lead to massive internal organ damage, broken bones, spinal cord injuries, traumatic brain injuries, and death. Motorcycle riders lack the protections of an enclosed vehicle, so their bodies absorb enormous crash energy.
Common Causes of Highway Motorcycle Crashes
There are a variety of hazards and mistakes that frequently lead to motorcycle crashes on Georgia’s busy highways:
Negligent Drivers
Many car and truck drivers are simply not attentive enough to notice motorcycles. Their smaller size makes them harder to spot, especially in blind spots. Drivers may merge into a motorcyclist, turn left in front of one, or otherwise violate the rider’s right-of-way. These negligent driving behaviors endanger motorcyclists.
Speeding
Excessive speed is a major contributor to fatal motorcycle crashes. At faster speeds, riders have less time to react and less control over the motorcycle. Speed also exponentially increases impact forces when a collision occurs.
Impaired Riding
Riding a motorcycle requires constant focus and coordination. Impaired riding under the influence of alcohol or drugs significantly reduces abilities to handle the motorcycle safely at highway speeds. An estimated 25% of fatal motorcycle crashes involve alcohol impairment.
Aggressive Riding
Weaving in and out of traffic, improper passing, tailgating, road rage behaviors, and other forms of aggressive riding create hazards for everyone on the road. Engaging in these thrill-seeking behaviors on highways jeopardizes motorcyclists’ safety.
Hazardous Road Conditions
Slippery roads, uneven pavement, debris, and other dangerous road conditions can be treacherous for motorcycles. They have less traction and stability than four-wheel vehicles, so road hazards can easily result in loss of control crashes.
Traumatic Injuries from Motorcycle Crashes
When highway motorcycle accidents occur at high rates of speed, riders often suffer extensive traumatic injuries such as:
- Traumatic brain injuries – The violent impact of a collision can cause bruising, bleeding, and damage within the brain. This often results in long-term impairments.
- Spinal cord injuries – Forces from motorcycle crashes frequently crush or sever the spinal cord. This can lead to partial or total paralysis.
- Orthopedic injuries – Broken bones, fractures, dislocated joints, and other orthopedic trauma are common in motorcycle wrecks. This is due to the extreme impact forces.
- Road rash – If riders are ejected from their motorcycles, they suffer extensive scraping and lacerations to their skin known as road rash. This is an excruciatingly painful injury.
- Internal organ damage – Internal bleeding, lacerated organs, and other internal trauma are likely in high-speed motorcycle collisions due to the lack of protection over riders’ vital organs.
- Wrongful death – With excessive speed and force involved, many motorcyclists are sadly killed in highway accidents. Their families deserve justice.
Claiming Compensation for Injuries
The aftermath of catastrophic motorcycle injuries can be devastating. Emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, surgery, rehabilitation, time off work, psychological trauma, and lasting disabilities all take a major toll on accident victims and their families.
If negligence or recklessness by another driver caused your motorcycle crash, you have legal rights to pursue compensation for these damages. An experienced personal injury attorney can build a strong claim for your medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other losses.
The seasoned motorcycle accident lawyers at Monge & Associates have spent years helping injured victims recover damages after crashes. With 32 offices in 19 states, including Georgia, Tennessee, and Arizona, we have the resources and expertise to handle motorcycle cases of any size. Contact us today at (888) 477-0597 for a free consultation on your potential injury claim. Our dedicated advocates will fight to achieve maximum compensation as you focus on healing from your injuries.