Deputies from the Bibb County Sheriff’s Office are investigating a fatal motorcycle accident in Macon, Georgia that occurred at the Emery Highway and Womack Street intersection on Friday, March 11, 2021. Reports show the motorcycle collided with another vehicle around 1:30 p.m. There were 2 occupants on the motorcycle at the time of the accident.
Both the motorcycle operator and passenger were rushed to Atrium Navicent Health, where the operator died of his injuries. The passenger was in stable condition, and the cause of the accident is still under investigation.
Common causes of a motorcycle accidents
Despite common public perception, motorcycle wrecks aren’t always the motorcyclist’s fault.
When a car collides with a motorcycle, it may be the result of several negligent actions on behalf of the car driver, including:
- Speeding
- Not checking a blind spot
- Unsafe lane changes
- Intoxicated driving
- Aggressive driving
- Tailgating
Other common causes of severe motorcycle crashes include poor weather, bad road conditions, and driving at night—all factors which motorcyclists are more vulnerable to because they lack the full body protection of a car.
Common motorcycle crash injuries
The most common motorcycle accident injuries are often the most severe. These include:
- Traumatic brain injuries can be caused by a severe blow to the head when a motorcycle rider is knocked off their bike and hits a hard surface or another vehicle hits them. These can range from concussions to permanent brain damage. Wearing a DOT-approved motorcycle helmet, as required by Georgia law, can help reduce this risk. If a TBI occurs, surgery, medication and a long period of rest are typically required to make a full recovery, if a full recovery is possible at all.
- If a motorcycle rider is hit by a car, chances are high they might have broken or bruised ribs, which can lead to internal organ damage and result in months of recovery.
- Internal organ damage can be caused by blunt force, a blow from a hard object that doesn’t break the skin, or by penetration trauma which breaks the skin and punctures the organs.
- When a person’s spinal cord is injured from the impact of a collision, it can result in paralysis or quadriplegia. This type of catastrophic injury can cause a temporary, sometimes permanent, disability for the victim.
Who’s liable for a motorcycle accident?
According to the Insurance Information Institute, per vehicle miles traveled, motorcyclists were 27 times more likely to die in an accident than car passengers in 2018. A total of 4,985 fatal motorcycle accidents were reported that same year, giving motorcyclists an unflattering reputation as being unsafe and dangerous.
Determining liability for a motorcycle accident in Georgia starts by consulting with a Macon accident attorney who will seek the following information:
- The day and time of the accident.
- The weather conditions when the accident occurred.
- If you were exercising due caution (riding the speed limit, staying in your lane, etc.)
- If you filed a police report after the accident.
- Whether or not it could have been avoided.
Providing as much information as possible will help your attorney reach the best outcome possible for your case.
The next (and possibly most important) factor they’ll want to look at is if there was any negligence on the part of the driver. Negligence is the due care that drivers and motorcycle riders alike owe to other Georgia drivers and riders on the road. For example, if a driver is blocking the motorcycle rider or more than one car boxes them in, this could suggest negligence on the part of the driver, making them liable for the accident.
Contact a Macon motorcycle accident lawyer to discuss your case
If you or a loved one were hurt in a motorcycle accident, don’t hesitate to call an experienced Georgia attorney at the law firm of Westmoreland, Patterson, Moseley & Hinson.
You don’t have to recover alone.
Our professionals will discuss your case during your free initial consultation to determine the best course of action for your case in order to get the maximum possible compensation. Contact one of our offices conveniently located in Macon, Albany, and Warner Robins to schedule your meeting today and start the road to recovery.