Motorcycle Accidents

Published on: May 7, 2012

Most Animal-Related Car Accident Injuries Caused by Evasive Maneuvers

Most injuries that occur when an automobile is on a collision path with an animal on the road happen not when the car hits the animal, but when the car crashes following the near-collision or impact with the animal. Therefore, how a driver reacts when he is faced with a stray animal on the road is extremely important in determining the probably of a Georgia car accident.

The Washington Post spoke to a number of highway safety troopers around the country and came up with the following conclusions. When it comes to avoiding animal-related collisions, swerving may be much more dangerous than hitting an animal. Many troopers urge motorists to avoid sudden evasive maneuvers if you’re not able to check for traffic beforehand. If you can make a safe lane change, do so. However, avoid swerving if you are unable to check your mirror and check for traffic.

If the animal is shorter than the hood of your car, and you have no time to change your lanes, then it is probably advisable to hit the animal. If the animal is taller than the hood of the car, then it is advisable to avoid the animal if possible. Unfortunately, very often when drivers are faced with a situation like this, they panic and make the wrong decision, which can lead to a single or multiple car accident.

Published on: January 11, 2012

Honda Recalls Motorcycles Due to Braking Problem – High risk of Motorcycle Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Honda has announced a recall of more than 100,000 motorcycles because of a potential braking problem.As personal injury lawyers know well, braking problems with motorcycles significantly increases the risk of a motorcycle accident and serious personal injury. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration which announced the recall, says that the recall covers the 2001-10 and 2012 GL1800 models of touring motorcycles marketed as GoldWings.

According to Honda, the problem lies with a potential rear brake issue – the rear brake may be at least partially applied even after it has been released.If the motorcyclist continues riding with a partially engaged brake, it may generate enough heat to cause a fire in the rear brakes.Also, when a motorcyclist rides with an engaged brake, it could increase the risks of an accident.

Honda informed the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration that it learned about the potential problem in July 2010.A Honda motorcycle user had just finished riding his motorcycle, when there was a small explosion a few minutes after he finished riding.He saw flames emerging from the rear brake area.There were no injuries in that incident, and the motorcyclist was able to use an extinguisher to put out the flames.

Published on: November 18, 2011

More Than 300,000 Harley Motorcycles Recalled Due to Brake Light Failure – Product Liability Claims likely

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Harley-Davidson Inc. is announcing a recall of more than 308,000 motorcycles.The recall is being blamed on a potential brake light failure problem. These types of product defects can pose a significant risk to riders, greatly increasing the likelihood of motorcycle accident. Drivers often have trouble seeing motorcycles and, therefore, an inoperative brake light will make it even more difficult for them to observe a motorcycle stopping. Unfortunately, motorcycle accidents often result in severe personal injury and wrongful death.

According to the company, the brake light switches on its motorcycles can be exposed to excessive heat from the exhaust system, causing the brake lights to fail.This failure can cause a fluid leak, as well as the loss of the rear braking system. The loss of the rear braking system is likely to result in product liability claims since they are highly likely to cause a serious injury or death. Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyers have regularly encouraged riders to get their bikes regularly checked, but this is the type of issue that could not have been identified through regular maintenance absence a warning from the manufacturer.

According to the company, the Touring, CEO and Trike motorcycles are included in the recall.These motorcycles are from the 2009 to 2012 model years.The motorcycles were manufactured between June 2008 and September 2011.The company has already begun the process of notifying all Harley motorcycle owners about the recall.Owners of Harley motorcycles that are included in this recall are advised to visit their dealers for installation of a new rear brake light switch kit.The recall involves approximately 241,000 motorcycles in the United States, with the remainder in other countries.

Published on: October 11, 2011

Increase in Motorcycle Accidents in Metro Atlanta

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyers have been concerned about a spike in motorcycle accidents on metro Atlanta highways recently.Just last week, a motorcyclist was fatally injured in an accident involving his motorcycle and a tractor-trailer.The truck accident occurred in Gwinnett County, and has been blamed on an airborne tire tread from the tractor-trailer.

According to police, the thirty-five-year-old motorcyclist was riding his vehicle in the left lane of northbound I-85 when his motorcycle struck the tire tread.The impact caused the motorcyclist to lose control.He was lying in the center lane of the highway, and in the path of an oncoming 18- wheeler.The truck driver did not see him, and ran over him.He was rushed to the Gwinnett Medical Center, but died.

This is the most recent in a series of motorcycle accidents that have left Atlanta personal injury lawyers very concerned.In recent months, according to police officers, there have been at least half a dozen motorcyclists killed in accidents in metro Atlanta highways.In August, a motorcyclist was killed in an accident involving two vehicles.He had been riding a Kawasaki Vulcan motorcycle, when his motorcycle was struck by two vehicles on I-75 near Cobb County.He sustained fatal injuries.Police believe that the accident was caused by a Porsche driver who fled the scene of the accident.Both the driver and his passenger were located by police about two weeks later.

Published on: September 19, 2011

New Study into Motorcycle Accident Causes and Prevention

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

A groundbreaking new study that promises Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyers new insight into the causes of motorcycle accidents has just begun. Since motorcycle accidents result in some of the worst personal injury cases and wrongful deaths, any insights into the causes of these often catastrophic accidents is helpful. The Motorcycle Safety Foundation has announced that the very first motorcyclist in a study of 100 motorcyclists has officially begun his one-year long experience.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation’s study is a naturalistic one, believed to be the first such study into motorcycle safety in the country.The study relies on the use of recording and tracking devices, like video cameras and GPS devices to record the motorcyclist on an everyday basis.One hundred motorcycles will be recruited as part of the Motorcycle Safety Foundation study.These motorcycles will be fitted with five color video cameras, a GPS tracker, and other devices that will help researchers track the motorcyclist’s riding experiences.

The researchers hope to get valuable information about the motorcyclist’s daily experiences on his vehicle.They also expect information about the environment just before and during the crash.A typical motorcycle accident study does not take into consideration such real-time data.A typical study will include a simple examination of accident scenes.Through the Motorcycle Safety Foundation study, researchers hope to capture information in the minutes just before a crash, to understand more about the causes of such accidents.

Published on: September 14, 2011

Atlanta Man Killed in Motorcycle Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

An Atlanta motorcyclist was killed last month in an accident that occurred when a motorist turned into his path.According to the Georgia State Patrol, the motorist was driving under the influence of alcohol. The accident occurred in Paulding County.The man was riding on his motorcycle when the intoxicated driver turned into the path of the motorcycle.The man was thrown off his motorcycle, and sustained fatal injuries.The motorist has been arrested, and faces charges of driving under the influence, vehicular homicide in the first degree and failure to heed. Of course, he will also likely face a civil suit for wrongful death.

Even as the numbers of people killed in auto accidents in the United States have declined over the past few years, the numbers of people being killed in motorcycle accidents has remained more or less steady.In 2010, federal auto safety agencies recorded the first drop in motorcycle accident fatalities in more than eleven years.The decline was slight, but was encouraging to Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyers who have been very concerned about the fact that motorcycle fatalities have remained high over the past decade.However, the decline in fatalities was too low to mean any major change in the attitude towards motorcycle safety in the country.

In 1981, the groundbreaking Hurt Report was published, and outlined the major factors involved in motorcycle accidents in the United States.The study had been sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.The Hurt Report was published during a time of high accident fatality numbers involving motorcyclists. One of the findings of the Hurt Report was that most motorcycle accidents are caused by motorists who fail to yield right-of-way to a motorcyclist.

Published on: August 30, 2011

Cobb County Police Looking for Motorcyclist in Fatal Car Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Police in Cobb County are on the lookout for the driver of a Porsche involved in afatal motorcycle accident fatal motorcycle accident. The motorcyclist was riding a Kawasaki Vulcan motorcycle when he was struck by two vehicles on Interstate 75.According to police, a Porsche struck the motorcyclist, and then fled the scene of the auto accident.The motorcycle was then struck again by a Mazda that was following behind.

The victim, a thirty-one-year-old man from Norcross sustained serious injuries, and died. The driver of the Mazda has confirmed to police that the Porsche struck the motorcyclist before her car did.Police are now looking for a silver Porsche that is likely to have moderate damage. Unfortunately, as any personal injury attorney will tell you, some of the most devastating accidents occur with hit and run drivers. These drivers are often uninsured, drinking or on drugs.

A motorcycle accident can be a traumatic experience.These are some of the most serious accidents, and can end in fatalities, or serious injuries to motorcycle riders and passengers.Apart from a helmet, a motorcyclist has little protection against injuries.

Published on: August 22, 2011

Motorcycle Helmets Linked to Hearing Loss; Does this increase the number of motorcycle accidents?

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Motorcyclists wearing helmets may be at risk of hearing loss, not from the loud noise of their motorcycle engine, but from the sound of the wind cutting through the helmet.A new study indicates the need for greater research to produce safer helmets that don’t have any health effects. If there is truly a risk to a motorcyclist’s hearing, this would indicate a higher risk of motorcycle accidents due to the inability of the rider to hear approaching vehicles and horns. It would be helpful if a study was performed to determine if there was an increase in the number of accidents, injuries and wrongful deaths among riders with a hearing loss.

According to research by scientists at the University of Bath and Bath Spa University, wind can escape from just underneath the helmet, and can damage the eardrums.This sound can be strong enough to cause hearing loss.The study titled Aeroacoustic Sources of Motorcycle Helmet Noise finds that motorcyclists who wear helmets may be a risk of suffering hearing loss even when they ride at safe speeds.

The scientists in the study used mannequins, and re-created the levels of noise that a motorcyclist is exposed to while riding.They found one particular spot under the helmet which allows sound to travel to the eardrums.The researchers are calling for more studies into the differences in how motorcyclists perceive sound, in order to better understand what’s going on here.

Published on: July 11, 2011

Motorcycle Manufacturers Need to Focus on Safety in Order to Prevent Motorcycle Accidents, Injuries

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyers have not failed to notice that while automobile manufacturers have tried to keep pace with the public demand for safer automobiles, motorcycle manufacturers have really not focused on the safety of their vehicles as much.As a result, while auto accident deaths around the country have been dropping, the number of people dying in motorcycle accidents has remained more or less the same.

In 2010, Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyers found a drop in motorcycle accident fatalities, the first drop recorded in 11 years.While that had been an encouraging sign, it was not a sharp enough drop.Far too many people continue to be at risk of an accident when they ride a motorcycle.Motorcyclists are at risk from motorists driving under the influence, or speeding.The risks of being involved in an auto accident increases when they are sharing the road with a motorist who is texting while driving.Other times, these car accidents are caused by drivers who fail to look out for motorcyclists.

A major factor in the drop in highway auto accident deaths across the country has been that automobiles now come with safety devices that not only reduce the risk of an auto accident, but also prevent serious injuries and deaths in an accident.Electronic stability control systems have substantially reduced the number of rollover accidents that occur every year.These are some of the most serious accidents, and account for a large percentage of fatalities in accidents every year.The fatalities have been declining because more vehicles now come with stability control systems.

Published on: June 10, 2011

Motorcycle Accident Causes the Death of a Police Officer

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

An off-duty police sergeant in Centreville, Houston County, Georgia was killed in a motorcycle accident last week.According to news reports, the 45-year-old Police Sgt. was riding his motorcycle when he collided with a car at an intersection.He was seriously injured, and died of his injuries. As an Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer, I see the dangers motorcycle riders face every day. Unfortunately, too many drivers just fail to keep a close eye out for motorcycles.

Motorcyclists in Georgia are at a greater risk of collisions with motorists this summer, when more numbers of drivers and motorcyclists can be expected to share the road.Not only are motorcyclists dealing with a large population of adult drivers on their way to holidays distracted by their families and their holiday plans, but they are also sharing the highways with larger numbers of teen drivers.

Summer is when the total number of teenage drivers on the road is higher, and the months of June, July and August see 40% more driving by those teen motorists.These are inexperienced drivers, who may fail to practice basic motorcycle safety behaviors, like looking out for motorcyclists at intersections.This accident illustrates how necessary it is for motorists to be extra cautious when approaching an intersection, and look out for motorcycles.Many young and teen drivers tend to think of summer as a long, extended weekend, and fail to prioritize traffic safety rules.