A study by the Governor's Office of Highway Safety in Georgia showed a 59% increase of motorcycle accident fatalities between the years 2004 and 2008. Motorcycles are not enclosed, are difficult for other drivers to see, and are more difficult to control in certain conditions. Despite their lack of safety features, the popularity of motorcycles has risen in recent years. Because of the poor economy, and high fuel prices, the option of driving a motorcycle is becoming more appealing to many people. With more motorcycles and increased congestion on metro Atlanta roadways, the propensity for fatal motorcycle accidents is also increasing.
As an Atlanta accident attorney, I handle a lot of Georgia motorcycle accident cases. When a victim calls me for a consultation, we do a case analysis to help the clients understand whether they have a case, and how they are to be compensated for their injuries. Here are the three types of civil litigation suits related to motorcycle accidents.
Recent motorcycle accidents in the Atlanta, Georgia area magnify the dangers to motorcycle drivers. On September 24th, 2012, Kenneth Griffin, a 42-year-old man, was driving his BMW west on Beaver Ruin Road near I-85 in Gwinnett County, when he caused a fatal accident involving a motorcycle and four other vehicles. Mr. Griffin failed to stop, and the collision resulted in the wrongful death of Brandon Ray, 38. Several other drivers and passengers from the other vehicles were taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries. Charges are pending against Kenneth Griffin.
This past summer, East Point firefighter Carl Blake was killed in a motorcycle accident in Atlanta when he lost control of his motorcycle, struck a curb, became airborne, and hit a utility pole. Even though Blake was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident; tragically, he still lost his life.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcycle riders have a 29% increased chance of surviving an accident if they are wearing a helmet, but this fact alone apparently does not do enough to encourage riders to use this safety tool. Forty-five percent of fatally injured motorcycle operators were not wearing helmets.
When it comes to motorcycle fatalities, helmets are not the only factor. Alcohol use while operating a motorcycle is taboo. According to 2005 statistics, 27% of operators who were killed in a motorcycle accident had blood alcohol (BAC) levels of .08 g/dL, and 41% had BAC's of .08 g/dL or higher, so alcohol played a part in 68% of motorcycle fatalities.
If you or someone you know has been injured in a motorcycle accident, and would like to speak to an attorney, give us a call for a free case evaluation. We can meet you in one of our six office locations, at your home or work, or even in the hospital.
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Governor's Office Of Highway Safety In Georgia