Motorcycle accidents can be severe because there is very little protecting you from the road. You may suffer broken bones, head injuries, road burn, and other injuries after a motorcycle crash. Although some motorcyclists drive unreasonably, the truth is that it is far more likely that a motorcycle accident is the result of someone else’s mistake. Motorcycles are hard to see if other drivers aren’t on the lookout for them. When those types of situations occur, you need to contact a Norcross motorcycle accident lawyer to talk about your legal options.
How frequently do motorcycle accidents occur in Norcross?
Bikers face higher risk than other motorists statewide. For example:
- In 2016, there were 1,560 traffic fatalities in Georgia. Of those, 208 were motorcyclists—meaning roughly 11% of fatalities are motorcycle riders.
- Considering how many bikers are on the road compared to other passenger vehicles, that percentage is huge. Motorcycles make up only about two percentof all registered vehicles in Georgia.
- Likewise, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute reports that motorcyclists are almost 29 times more likely to be killedcompared to those in passenger vehicles.
And, to make matters worse, motorcycle fatalities have increased by 26% from 2014 to 2016.
A lot of people respond to these numbers by saying “motorcycles are dangerous.” We don’t believe that’s always true. Many of these deaths were preventable, and many of those were caused by careless car and truck drivers—not by the actions of the motorcyclist.
Do helmets actually save lives? Am I required to wear one?
Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety reports that an estimated 96 lives were saved in 2016 because of helmet usage. If everyone wore their helmets, an additional 4 lives would have been saved. A helmet may not protect every motorcyclist in every type of crash, but it has the potential to save a life.
Georgia law requires that every motorcyclist wear a helmet every time they ride. Helmets that have the following characteristics are permitted under Georgia law:
- Solid rivets
- Study chin straps
- Thick inside liner
- Weight of about three pounds
- No decorative element can stick out from the helmet longer than two-tenths of an inch
- Contains a Department of Transportation
- Still has manufacturer labeling
Just because it’s required doesn’t mean everyone does it. Penalties for not wearing a helmet could subject you fines. And, in some cases, they can affect your motorcycle accident claim.
How does wearing a helmet affect my case?
Failing to wear a helmet, just like failing to wear a seat belt, can affect how much you receive in damages if you are involved in a motorcycle accident. You will likely recover less than you otherwise could have, because the court will view you as being partially at fault for your own injuries.
However, a helmet may not matter in some cases. Helmets are irrelevant if your specific injury would not have been prevented or at least reduced by wearing one. For example, no helmet in the world can stop you from getting a broken wrist.
Don’t let your choice of helmet (or no helmet) deprive you of your right to a recovery. You need to speak with a Norcross motorcycle accident lawyer even if you weren’t wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.
What are the most common motorcycle accident injuries in Norcross?
You don’t have the same type of protection in a motorcycle crash as you do a car accident or truck crash. Instead, you may have very little protective gear. This very minimal protection often results in serious injuries, including:
- Damage to the legs and feet. Roughly 30% of all motorcycle injuries affect the legs and feet. This is not surprising given that when a motorcycle falls over it will generally land on your legs, feet, and ankles.
- Head and neck injuries. Approximately 22% of all motorcycle injuries will include damage to the head and neck, which is why wearing a helmet is so important. Damage to the “upper truck” is very common—this includes the chest, upper back, and shoulders.
- Arms and hands. Injuries to the hands and arms round out the top three most common motorcycle injuries. One of the reasons these injuries are so common is because you automatically try to catch yourself when you start to fall over on your bike. There is very little you can do to stop this natural reaction. Trying to keep yourself from falling at high speeds does severe damage to your hands, wrists, and arms.
- Hips and pelvis. The “lower truck” ends up being frequently damaged, but it is one of least frequent of the “top” injuries. This type of damage often occurs when the motorcyclist is thrown from the bike.
Road rash is also typical, although it is rarely severe. Road rash occurs when an exposed part of the body slides against the pavement after or during a crash. It is much like a carpet burn. It can cause severe damage to the skin and nerves. Long-term disfigurement is also common from this type of injury.