IN THE REARVIEW MIRROR

Driving through the city one afternoon, I saw a motorcycle driver weaving through traffic behind me. As I continued to watch him in my rearview mirror, he suddenly accelerated out of the left lane and into the space in between lanes—an illegal maneuver under the Georgia Code. GA Code Section 40-6-312(c). Motorcycles must be driven like other motor vehicles. GA Code Section 40-6-310. He approached my vehicle in the right lane, increasing his speed; he was not wearing a helmet, which is also illegal in Georgia. GA Code Section 40-6-315. One thought came to my mind: “This will not end well.”

It did not. As he swerved across my lane, directly in front of my vehicle, he lost control of his motorcycle. The motorcycle and its driver crashed violently onto the sidewalk to my right, and the force of the impact sent him and the motorcycle flying back into the intersection, where the driver’s head hit the ground and literally bounced off the pavement several times. The driver and the motorcycle finally came to a stop in the middle of the 4-lane road.

Multiple people called 9-1-1. I slowly got out of my vehicle and approached the accident scene, where someone in scrubs was already kneeling beside the injured man. The police arrived in moments and started taking statements. The motorcycle driver was actually talking—but probably from shock after such a violent crash and multiple harsh hits to his head. I think I was in shock, too. After the police gathered everyone’s statements and contact information, traffic was diverted and I was free to go. The ambulance had already departed with the motorcycle driver.

THE NUMBERS

Motorcyclist fatalities have steadily increased in recent years in Georgia. In 2017 there were 135 fatalities, 154 in 2018, 170 in 2019, and 179 in 2020. In 2019, there were 3,948 motorcycle crashes statewide and a total of 4,269 motorcyclist riders involved in crashes. From 2017 to 2019, motorcyclist fatalities increased by 22%. Although motorcycles represent just 2% of registered vehicles, motorcyclists are consistently overrepresented in traffic fatalities. In 2019, motorcyclists represented 11% of total traffic fatalities and 21% of total driver fatalities. Riders aged 25–34 represent 23% of motorcycle operator fatalities; 18% of motorcycle operators involved in fatal crashes were speeding.

GEORGIA LAW

Riding in between two lanes of traffic as the motorcycle driver did in the above-described accident is known as “lane splitting.” Not only is this practice dangerous because riders have less room to maneuver and other motorists aren’t expecting them, but as noted above, it is also illegal in Georgia.

The motorcycle driver in the above scenario was also committing another offense: riding without a helmet. Georgia law requires all motorcycle drivers to wear a helmet; it is the single-most effective way motorcycle riders and passengers can protect themselves. More than 1,800 lives were saved due to helmet use in 2017. The National Center for Statistics and Analysis estimates that if all motorcyclists had worn helmets, an additional 749 lives would have been spared that year.

Another serious and unfortunately common offense is driving motorcycles while impaired. Of those killed in single-vehicle crashes on weekend nights, 61% were alcohol-impaired. Of the 135 riders killed in Georgia in 2017:

Finally, the motorcycle accident above occurred in the city, and this is typical; motorcycle crashes are more frequent in urban areas than rural areas. The Atlanta Region accounted for 42 percent (1,655 out of 3,948) of all motorcycle crashes and 33 percent of all motorcycle registrations.

WHEN IN A MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT

Even when a motorcycle driver obeys the law—stays in his/her lane, wears a helmet, doesn’t speed and drives sober—accidents happen. Injuries from motorcycle accidents tend to be more severe than those suffered as the driver or passenger of a motor vehicle, and they often require more medical attention and rehabilitation. This is why it is imperative to get medical attention immediately, at the scene, and to allow the police to get witness statements and information (that you can access in the future if necessary). After seeking medical attention and ensuring witness information is accessible, contact a personal injury attorney such as Dave Thomas with expertise in motorcycle accidents.

CONTACT YOUR ATTORNEY

If you or someone you know has been in a motorcycle accident, contact Dave Thomas with The Thomas Law Firm for a free consultation regarding your legal rights to compensation for medical costs, lost wages, and damages for pain and suffering.