Athens Motorcycle Traffic Laws

Motorcycles are some of the best ways to travel. Easy to drive and economical to fuel up, they combine freedom of the road with speedy travel. However, motorcycles are still motor vehicles and must still obey the rules of the road. When you’re riding your motorcycle and are hit by another vehicle, you have the same rights as all other drivers.

The motorcycle crash attorneys at Massey Law Group can help you show who was responsible for your accident and how the accident affected your life. When we take your claim, we will assist you in gathering the evidence you need to prove your case, and give you help in obtaining medical care while you recover from the accident.

What Are Some Important Motorcycle Accident Laws?

All motorcyclists in Athens should know the basic regulations for safe bike operations: DOT helmets are required, and headlights and taillights must be on while the bike is in operation. Lane splitting is not permitted, but motorcycles are allowed to use the entire lane in all roadways. Two motorcycles may ride abreast.

Other important laws to keep in mind:

• Official Code of Georgia Annotated § 9-3-33 gives victims two years to file a personal injury claim. The statute of limitations begins on the date of the injury.
• O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33 states that if a claimant is less than 50% responsible for their injuries, they can still recover compensation in their accident.
• O.C.G.A. § 33-7-11 says that cyclists must have a Class M license and carry auto insurance the same as any automobile. Failure to do so can result in fines and, in the event of an accident, loss of your driver’s license.

These laws help ensure that after a motorcycle accident, riders have the same legal rights in court as other drivers. An attorney can help you file your claim and get the compensation you need after your accident.

Proving Negligence After a Motorcycle Accident

Georgia is an at-fault state. This means you have the burden of proving that the other driver caused the accident in order to get compensation after your accident. In a negligence case, this means showing that the other driver had a duty to drive responsibly, failed in that duty, and your injuries were the result of that failure.

The first step is filing an insurance claim with the other driver’s insurance company. They will ask for evidence from the accident, such as your medical bills, proof of lost income, pictures from the accident site, and other documentation. Insurance companies may ask for additional information or proof of your claim. Our attorneys in Athens can determine which motorcycle traffic laws apply to your case.

Get Information About Motorcycle Traffic Laws from an Athens Attorney

If the insurance company wants more information or denies your claim based on Athens motorcycle traffic laws, we can take over. We will provide additional information in the form of expert testimony, witness depositions, and other details to bolster your claim. We will negotiate with the insurer to see what they object to in your claim, and try to reach a settlement with the company.

If all else fails, we will take your claim to court. Insurance companies prefer to avoid litigation. It is expensive and time-consuming, and juries often give claimants awards much larger than negotiated settlements. Because we prepare your case, we are ready to go to trial whenever negotiations break down. Call Massey Law Group if you are the victim of a motorcycle traffic accident.