Motorcyclists face risks that occupants of passenger vehicles generally do not. A motorcycle does not provide a protective steel frame, airbags, or seat belts. When a motorcycle collides with a car or truck, the rider may be thrown directly onto the pavement or into another vehicle.
The resulting injuries can be catastrophic.
Riders Have Less Physical Protection
A motorcycle rider can be exposed to the full force of a collision.
Common serious injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones
- Road rash
- Internal injuries
- Amputations
- Severe orthopedic injuries
Some injuries require multiple surgeries and lengthy rehabilitation.
Motorcycle Crashes Can Produce Multiple Injuries
A rider may be struck by a vehicle, thrown from the motorcycle, and then hit the pavement.
The rider may also slide across the roadway or collide with a fixed object.
The severity of the injuries depends on factors such as speed, impact angle, protective equipment, roadway conditions, and the location of the crash.
Motorcycle Cases Can Involve Bias
Motorcyclists sometimes face assumptions that they were driving recklessly simply because they were riding a motorcycle.
That assumption should not replace an evidence-based investigation.
The relevant questions include what each driver did, where each vehicle was located, what traffic signals showed, and whether the collision could have been avoided.
Visibility Is Often an Issue
Drivers may claim they did not see a motorcycle.
That does not automatically establish fault. Drivers have responsibilities to observe traffic and operate their vehicles safely.
Investigators may examine lane positioning, lighting, traffic conditions, sight distance, and vehicle movement.
Serious Injuries Can Create Long-Term Financial Losses
A motorcycle crash can prevent a victim from returning to work.
The resulting damages may include medical expenses, lost income, diminished earning capacity, rehabilitation costs, and other losses.
For catastrophic injuries, future damages may be particularly important.
Ponton Law handles motorcycle accidents as part of its broader catastrophic personal injury practice in Georgia.
If a motorcycle crash causes permanent disability, the claim should account for the injury’s long-term effects rather than treating the collision as simply a motorcycle-versus-car accident.