Riding a motorcycle is a lot of fun for many people, and for others, it is more than mere fun; it is a way of life. There are a number of advantages to motorcycles as a means of transportation, like fuel economy, and cost , but there are a great number of risks that go along with it as well. There is virtually no margin of error for motorcyclists because the only thing between them and the pavement is their helmet and their clothing, so they need to ride defensively and carefully. However, even the most diligent biker has no control over the people he or she is sharing the road with, and that is where much of the danger lies.
There were over 5,000 motorcycle accident fatalities in 2007 and some 103,000 injuries. Clearly, riding a motorcycle is a risky way to get around, and this statistic is especially telling: about 40% of the wrecks between motorcycles and other vehicles take place when the vehicle is making a left hand turn while the motorcycle is going straight. In these instances the driver of the other vehicle never knew that there was a bike behind them. Clearly, there are cases when the driver is not paying enough attention and has absolutely zero excuse. But due to the small width of a bike, there is also a “blind spot” to the left of the driver, who may not see a motorcycle when it is in this spot.
There was a fatal accident in Dade County, Georgia recently that underscored the danger of this phenomena. A motorcyclist, Michael Wayne Mooneyhan, found himself behind a slow moving vehicle, and he decided to pass. The driver of the vehicle made an unexpected left hand turn onto a side road as Mooneyhan was passing. His front bumper hit the bike, and Mooneyhan was thrown from his motorcycle as it went down an embankment and hit a tree. He was transported by helicopter to a trauma center in Chattanooga where he eventually died due to the injuries that he suffered in the crash.
Even though there is such a thing as a “blind spot,” drivers need to account for it by being totally aware of their surroundings before the biker enters that spot. Most of us have had the experience of suddenly realizing that there was in fact a motorcycle to their left that they didn’t see at first. This teaches you something and makes you a more defensive and aware driver when you consider what might have happened. Unfortunately, many drivers never learn that lesson, and others learn it at the expense of another.
If you have been the victim of a motorcycle accident due to the negligence of the other driver, contact the Atlanta personal injury attorney, Bruce Hagen, at (404) 522-7553, or drop us a message through the website to schedule a consultation. There is no excuse for “not seeing” another motorist, and we will see to it that your legal interests are well represented so that you can devote your energy to getting well and putting the experience behind you.
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