Advocacy for Motorcyclist Rights & Safety

Motorcycle riders are quite vulnerable on the road, as they do not have the protections afforded by safety features like seat belts, airbags, and steel frames found on cars and trucks. That makes them significantly more likely than passenger vehicle occupants to get seriously hurt in a crash. Compounding the problem is that the comparatively small size of motorcycles makes them easier to overlook for drivers who aren’t paying adequate attention to the road around them.

Understanding motorcycle rider rights and rider safety issues in Georgia is essential for anyone who rides in our state. As part of our commitment to motorcycle advocacy, the team at Geiger Legal Group, LLC, has prepared this guide to help you know your rights and stand up for them in the event of a collision.

Landscape of Motorcyclist Rights in Georgia

Georgia law gives motorcyclists the same rights and duties as other motorists on the road. Rights Georgia motorcyclists should be aware of include:

Motorcyclists have the right to use full lanes when riding. Another motorist can’t drive in the same lane as the motorcyclist even when they feel there is space to do so.
Motorcyclists in Georgia have the right to compensation if other parties cause wrecks that injure them. A motorcyclist who sustains injuries in a crash someone else causes may seek compensation by filing an insurance claim or lawsuit.

The Path to Safety: Motorcycle Accident Prevention and Rider Safety Awareness

Motorcyclists must do their part to protect themselves. Georgia law requires all motorcyclists to:

Undergo motorcycle rider training or pass a skills test to obtain a motorcycle license
Wear proper headgear, such as a motorcycle helmet, per the standards established by the commissioner of public safety
Wear an eye-protective device per the standards established by the commissioner of public safety (although this requirement may not apply if a motorcycle has a windshield)

However, motorcyclists aren’t the only ones who promote motorcycle safety in Georgia. Per the Georgia Department of Driver Services (DDS), advocacy campaigns like Share the Road can help all motorists understand their role in promoting motorcycle safety.

Legal Avenues for Protecting Your Rights as a Motorcyclist

If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle accident someone else caused, perhaps the best way to protect your rights and advocate for others in similar positions is to hire our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers. Not only can we work to hold the person who caused the crash responsible for their carelessness, but by doing so, your lawyer can set legal precedents that may benefit other injured motorcyclists in the future.

If someone else was to blame for the motorcycle accident that injured you, our attorneys are prepared to seek maximum compensation from the at-fault driver’s insurance company. Because motorcycle accident injuries are often quite severe, it might be necessary to look at further options for compensation, such as a claim under your insurance policy’s underinsured motorist (UIM) coverage. If the at-fault motorist had no insurance or if they left the scene and were never identified, you might be able to secure compensation through your policy’s uninsured motorist (UM) coverage.

In some instances, someone other than a motorist might be at fault for the accident. For example, if a defective motorcycle part or design contributed to the crash, you could pursue a claim against its manufacturer. Our attorneys are prepared to investigate your situation to identify all potential avenues of recovery.

The Role of the Community in Shaping Safer Roads for Motorcycle Riders

Communities in Georgia can boost motorcyclist safety throughout the state by:

Enforcing all laws – Georgia’s current laws offer motorcyclists the same protections other motorists enjoy. However, communities need to enforce these laws proactively for them to serve their purposes.
Participating in motorcycle safety advocacy campaigns – Campaigns like Share the Road and other advocacy work may be the most effective way to protect bikers on a community level. Communities can organize educational rider safety training sessions and other such events to help members better understand how to avoid harming motorcyclists on the road.
Designing safe roads and infrastructure – To the extent that communities can make infrastructure decisions, they should account for motorcyclist safety when doing so. For example, they may design roads with better sight lines and more signage alerting drivers to the presence of motorcyclists.

Navigating the Aftermath of a Motorcycle Accident

Taking proactive steps in the aftermath of a motorcycle collision can help you pursue compensation from the at-fault driver. You can protect yourself and the strength of your claim by:

Seeking medical attention as soon as possible and adhering to your doctor’s treatment plan
Gathering helpful evidence in a safe and secure place, including any medical bills, repair estimates, and pay stubs
Starting a daily journal in which you record your pain levels and the limitations your injuries cause you
Saying no to the initial settlement offers the at-fault driver’s insurance company offers without first seeking an attorney’s advice
Refraining from discussing the accident or your injuries on social media
Meeting with our experienced motorcycle accident lawyers as soon as possible

See a doctor immediately when the police say you can leave the scene. You should do so even when you don’t believe you’ve been hurt. There are various reasons motorcycle crash victims may not notice signs of an injury right after collisions. For example, a traumatic experience will often trigger an adrenaline rush. Adrenaline has been shown to have a painkilling effect.

Even though they lack initial symptoms, some motorcycle accident injuries could become life-threatening if left untreated. It is best to seek a thorough medical evaluation as soon as possible after the crash to identify and treat any potential injuries.

Remember, you don’t need to work with the insurer directly after a crash. Instead, you should hire our lawyers to pursue compensation for you. Not only can they pursue compensation more effectively than you can on your own, but by letting a professional handle your claim, you give yourself the time and space to focus on your recovery.

Talk to Our Georgia Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Now

Understanding your rights as a motorcyclist is easier with an attorney by your side. At Geiger Legal Group, LLC, we are prepared to provide the advocacy you deserve after a crash that wasn’t your fault. Learn more about what we can do for you by contacting us online for a free case review with our Georgia motorcycle accident lawyers.