All motorists must drive safely when changing lanes on the road. Unfortunately, too many drivers change lanes incorrectly and unsafely in Sandy Springs. When an unsafe lane change happens, it can cause severe injuries, especially for motorcyclists.
Motorcycle accidents can happen when one or more drivers make an improper lane change. Motorcyclists must be careful to avoid lane-splitting or other unsafe actions. At the same time, car and truck drivers must watch for motorcycles before merging. If someone is careless, it can lead to a severe and painful accident.
If you or a loved one were injured in a Sandy Springs motorcycle accident, call John Foy & Associates. We’ll look over your case and see if you have a case for compensation. Call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online for a free consultation.
Causes of Unsafe Lane Change Accidents
Someone might change lanes unsafely because of:
- Drunk driving
- Reckless driving
- Failure to yield
- Not checking blind spots
- Fatigued driving
- Not signaling before changing lanes
- Evasive actions
- Speeding
- Distracted driving
Even if a driver doesn’t mean to cause harm, they are still responsible for their actions. Too many motorists aren’t used to looking for small vehicles like motorcycles. If they change lanes without looking first, it can lead to a severe accident.
Motorcycle accident cases in Georgia depend on negligence. Under the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA) §51-1-2, negligence is a lack of ordinary care that normally careful people would have. The list above includes examples of negligence while driving.
If someone’s negligence leads to an accident, the negligent person is liable for the costs. So, if you were injured in a motorcycle accident by someone else’s fault, you might deserve money for your damages.
Motorcycle Accident Damages to Claim
Personal injury damages are any losses you experience from someone else’s actions. Damages can be either economic or non-economic. Common damages include:
- Medical bills
- Prescription medication costs
- Lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Vehicle repair expenses
- Future treatment costs
- Pain and suffering
- Mental anguish
- Loss of enjoyment of life
Tragically, too many motorcycle crashes end in death. If a loved one died in this type of accident, you might have rights. Individual family members can bring a wrongful death claim on behalf of their loved one.
To make sure you know your options, talk to a Sandy Springs motorcycle accident lawyer. At John Foy & Associates, we’ll start with a free, no-risk consultation to discuss your accident and your rights. If you choose to work with us, there is no charge unless we win you money.
To get a free consultation today, call (404) 400-4000 or contact us online.
Checking Blind Spots for Motorcycles
Motorcycles are much smaller than the average car or truck. If drivers don’t check their blind spot before changing lanes, they can miss a motorcyclist already in the lane. Sadly, this is a common cause of motorcycle accidents.
An unsafe lane change can lead to a side-impact collision. The motorcyclist might get forced off the road or thrown off their bike in the process. If the other vehicle is huge, the motorcycle could even become trapped underneath.
If someone causes an accident in this way, they are likely liable for the costs.
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Motorcyclists Making Unsafe Lane Changes
Motorcycle riders must also be careful when changing lanes. Under OCGA §40-6-310, anyone on a motorcycle has the same rights and duties as other drivers.
Also, motorcyclists in Georgia should not engage in lane-splitting. Lane-splitting means driving a motorcycle between lanes or rows of traffic. Doing so can lead to an accident with other drivers.
Sometimes, a motorcycle rider’s actions lead to an accident. If you or a loved one were hurt because of a motorcyclist’s unsafe lane change, you have rights. Talk to a lawyer today about recovering compensation for your losses.
Unsafe Lane Change Laws
According to OCGA §40-6-48, all vehicles must drive “as nearly as practicable entirely within a single lane.” Drivers shouldn’t move from their lane until it’s safe to do so. That includes signaling long enough for other drivers to know about the lane change.
When someone violates lane change laws, they are liable if they cause an accident. Besides possible traffic charges, the driver might also be responsible for injuries or deaths.
Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Motorcycle accident injuries can vary by a lot. However, motorcyclists often suffer severe injuries during an accident. That’s because a motorcycle doesn’t provide the same degree of protection as cars and trucks.
Common injuries can include:
- Road rash
- Traumatic brain injuries (TBI)
- Spinal cord injuries
- Whiplash and other neck injuries
- Broken bones
- Amputations
- Scarring and disfigurement
These injuries can be incredibly costly for victims in Sandy Springs. Plus, the victim might be unable to work as they could before. Expenses combined with lack of work can take an enormous financial, not to mention emotional, toll.
A motorcycle accident victim and their family can seek compensation through a personal injury claim or lawsuit. To learn more, talk to an experienced Sandy Spring motorcycle accident lawyer.
Deadline to File a Motorcycle Accident Claim
After an accident, the clock starts ticking on the statute of limitations. In Georgia, you typically have two years from the accident date to bring legal action. In some cases, the deadline is much sooner.
It’s best to learn your options as soon as possible. Otherwise, you could miss out on getting the compensation you deserve. The courts can bar you from recovering anything after the deadline has passed.
Get Help from a Sandy Springs Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
To make sure you file on time, talk to a motorcycle accident lawyer today. At John Foy & Associates, we understand the vast toll an accident can have on a rider or driver. For over 20 years, we’ve been helping injured clients recover their full costs and begin to move on.
You deserve the fullest compensation for an accident that wasn’t your fault. If you were injured and need help, call us today. We’ll get you started with a free, no-risk consultation.
Call us at (404) 400-4000 or contact us online for a free consultation.
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