If you ride a motorcycle in the state of Georgia, then you know there are an awful lot of specific laws directed toward bikers. These motorcycle laws in Georgia were implemented with the safety of both yourself and other motorists in mind. If you happen to get into a motorcycle accident at any point, and you have violated any of these laws, you may be found liable for any injuries. If, on the other hand, you were injured in a motorcycle accident that was not your fault, it’s a good idea to call an East Point motorcycle accident attorney.
When you first meet with your East Point motorcycle accident attorney, they’re going to ask what happened. You need to be upfront and honest with them about how the accident transpired. If you were lane splitting at the time of the crash, tell them you were lane splitting at the time of the crash. If you were not wearing your helmet, tell them you’re not wearing your helmet. These things are important.
If your personal injury lawyer in East Point is blindsided with any of this information at trial, it will jeopardize your case. The only way your lawyer can get you the compensation you deserve is if they have all the information up front. This way, they can prepare for your case, and anticipate any defenses or arguments the other driver makes.
Here, we will discuss the specific motorcycle laws in Georgia. As long as you follow all of these laws, and you happen to be involved in an accident, you should still be entitled to damages. If, after reading this, you still have questions or concerns about your motorcycle accident case and motorcycle laws in Georgia, contact our office directly. We will gladly schedule your free, initial consultation right over the phone.
You Must Always Wear Your Helmet, According to Motorcycle Laws in Georgia
While this one is rather obvious, motorcycle laws in Georgia make it mandatory to wear your helmet at all times while riding your motorcycle through the state. The same rule applies to any passengers. If you are caught without your helmet, you will be ticketed and fined, according to motorcycle laws in Georgia. The bigger problem is that if you get into an accident and are not wearing your helmet you will suffer life threatening injuries.
When the police arrive at the accident scene, they will conduct a thorough investigation of the crash. One of the first things they will look for is to see if you were wearing your helmet at the time of the accident. If they determine that you were not, they will put a notation of this in their final police report. When the defendant gets a copy of this report, they will argue that you would not have been hurt had you been wearing your helmet. This will give them a good case to make to the judge to have your case dismissed or to have your damage significantly reduced.
You Must Have the Right Lights on Your Motorcycle
According to motorcycle laws in Georgia, it’s important that your bike has the correct lights on it. According to a Georgia statute, you must have at least one headlight on your bike. This light must project for a minimum of 500 feet. This is the case whether it is day or night.
Motorcycle laws in Georgia also require you to have at least one red reflector on the rear of your motorcycle. You can certainly have more if you’d like, but they must all be red. In addition, they must be visible for at least 300 feet. If you get pulled over by the cops and they see that you do not have the required lights, you will be issued a ticket.
Furthermore, if someone hits you from behind, they will argue that you were responsible for the crash. All they will have to prove is that you were cited for having improper lights on your motorcycle. While this may not be enough to prevent you from suing the defendant, it will certainly be enough to have your damages reduced by as much as half.
Your Passenger Must Be Safe as Well
While there are certainly enough rules that apply to the person driving the motorcycle, there are additional motorcycle laws in Georgia that apply to your passenger. If you choose to have a passenger on your bike, they must have their own seat. They must also have their own set of footrests so that their feet are not in danger of dragging on the asphalt. Of course, your passenger, like yourself, must be wearing a helmet at all times, according to motorcycle laws in Georgia.
One thing that motorcycle laws in Georgia are very specific about is that you will be responsible for any injuries or death that befall your passenger if you don’t follow these rules. This will become very important if you are involved in an accident and are sued for damages.
Contact a Seasoned Personal Injury Lawyer in East Point, Georgia
If you or your loved one have been involved in a motorcycle accident recently, then you probably suffered some very serious injuries. The last thing you’ll feel like doing is fighting with the insurance company. Therefore, we recommend that our clients contact our office as soon as possible after their crash. This gives you a chance to sit down with an experienced personal injury lawyer in East Point and have them review your case.
During this initial consultation, your attorney can tell you what to expect throughout the legal process, according to motorcycle laws in Georgia. They will also let you know what happens if the insurance company refuses to pay your claim. The good news is that our seasoned attorneys are not intimidated by the large insurance carriers. They have spent years dealing with the insurance adjusters and will do their best to negotiate a fair settlement on your behalf.
We recommend that you call our office as soon as possible after your accident. The last thing you want to do is miss the statute of limitations period, as provided by motorcycle laws in Georgia. If this happens, your case will be dismissed, and you will be forever barred from refilling it. Since your initial consultation with us is free, take full advantage of the opportunity to meet with somebody who has your best interests at heart.
