motorcycle accidents

Published on: May 31, 2011

How You Can Prevent Motorcycle Accidents in Atlanta

Much of motorcycle safety depends on the ability of motorists to respect motorcyclists’ right.This alone would prevent many of the motorcycle accidents we see which often involve serious personal injuries or a wrongful death. The most important thing that drivers could do to prevent accidents involving motorcyclists is to acknowledge that motorcycle riders in Georgia have the very same rights that motorists do.In other words, that a motorcyclist sharing the highway with your SUV is not an outsider with no rights, but a legitimate highway user with the same rights as you.

Many accidents that Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyers come across occur because drivers fail to look out for motorcyclists, especially when they are making lane changes or entering thoroughfares.Look especially closely for motorcyclists in your mirrors during these times. Here are some basic tips for motorists.

When you are sharing the road with a motorcycle, do not try to pass the motorcycle in the same lane.

Published on: October 28, 2010

Motorcyclist Seriously Injured in Henry County Motorcycle Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The family of a motorcyclist, who was critically injured in a motorcyle accident in Henry County over the weekend, has issued a plea for help in finding the hit-and-run driver responsible for the accident.

34-year-old Justin Hayes was riding his motorcycle on Saturday evening, when he was struck by a Toyota Highlander.The accident resulted in Hayes being thrown off his motorcycle, which resulted in critical injuries.He is currently being treated in the intensive care unit at Grady Memorial Hospital.He suffered multiple fractures, as well as internal injuries in the motorcycle accident.

His wife, Cheryl has issued a plea for help to anyone who can provide information that can lead to the hit-and-run motorist here.The Highlander was apparently being driven by a black female, between 20 and 30 years of age.According to police, the woman simply drove off after the vehicle struck Hayes.Anyone who may have witnessed the motorcycle accident, or may have some information about the crash, including repair shop workers or mechanics, are being encouraged to inform Henry County police.

Published on: August 9, 2010

What Every Driver Should Know about Motorcyclists

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

One of the biggest factors in motorcycle accidents is motorist negligence or lack of motorist awareness.It’s important for motorists to understand that motorcycles are not like cars or trucks.Motorcyclists face peculiar challenges as they jostle for space with motorists, and it helps motorcyclists if other people on the road are more aware of these challenges.

The Motorcycle Safety Foundation has tips for motorists and truck drivers to help them look out for motorcyclists.Here’s a brief rundown of just some of those tips.

· Look out for motorcyclists especially closely at certain spots, like intersections. Because of a motorcycle’s small size, it may be easier to miss.

Published on: May 7, 2010

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is promoting motorcycle safety in the month of May. The agency has declared May as Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, and is encouraging local communities and motorcycling organizations to spearhead safety campaigns and other efforts.

To help these efforts, the agency has prepared a Share the Road planner which contains vital resources you can use to conduct your own motorcycle safety campaign in your community.The agency’s key message for the month of May is to “Share the Road.” The message is targeted at motorists who are urged to look out for motorcyclists as they drive. The NHTSA wants motorists to understand that:

· Motorcycles are vehicles too, and riders enjoy just as many privileges as motorists do.

Published on: August 7, 2009

Deadly Motorcycle Accident in Atlanta Kills One Person

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

A multi-vehicle accident on Interstate-285 in DeKalb County on Wednesday left a motorcyclist dead, and 5 other people injured. According to DeKalb County police, the accident was set off by an SUV driver who entered the highway without slowing for traffic.

The driver seems to have set off a chain reaction that led to an 18 wheeler, striking a group of motorcyclists. A 54-year-old motorcyclist has been killed, and one other motorcycle rider has sustained serious injuries. Three motorcyclists and the SUV driver have sustained moderate injuries. The accident involved three motorcycles, two SUVs and two 18 wheelers.

Details are still coming in, but it seems like that the motorcycles involved in the accident were participating in the National Biker Round-up. It was the second day of the bike fest, and the event which is hosted by the Georgia biker community, is expected to continue for about a week, ending on Sunday.

Published on: July 2, 2009

Motorcycle Rider Critically Injured in Coweta County Accident

by Robert N. Katz, Esq.

A motorcyclist was seriously injured in an accident involving a passenger vehicle and his motorcycle on I-85 north of Coweta County.According to news reports, the motorcyclist collided with a four door sedan leaving the rider with critical injuries.

The accident occurred on a construction zone on I-85 where work to widen the highway is underway. We don’t know yet if that had an effect on the accident, but speed limits along the areas that are under construction have been lowered to 50mph. The highway has also been the scene of several such accidents in the past few months including a fiery tractor trailer accident earlier this year, in which one of the trucks burst into flames leaving the driver with burn injuries. That accident was one among several accidents involving tractor trailers, as well as passenger vehicles on interstate 85.

Construction work along several sections of I-85 are expected to continue for the rest of 2009, which means that driving conditions on the highway will continue to be congested. Authorities have made repeated appeals to motorists, truckers and motorcyclists to keep the ongoing congested conditions on the highway in mind while driving, and to slow down speeds. Unfortunately, according to officials, there are too many motorists and truckers who don’t seem to be heeding those pleas.