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Motorcycle Accident Laws in Georgia
Every motorcycle owner in Georgia knows how thrilling operating their bikes on the road can be. It is, in fact, a hobby for many residents of Georgia and a way of life for many enthusiasts. Any motorcyclist can tell you how exhilarating it is to ride a motorcycle. But bikers will also admit that, whether it is one’s way of life, hobby, or means to get to places, motorcycling in Georgia also comes with its own risks.
Just like car and truck drivers in Georgia are required to follow traffic laws, motorcycle riders must do the same. Every state, including Georgia, has specific motorcycle accident laws that riders must abide by. Riders need to familiarize themselves with motorcycle accident laws in Georgia to help avoid traffic violations and accidents. Failure to know these laws could result in penalties or fines reflecting the severity of the offense or other serious legal consequences when a motorcycle accident happens.
This begs the question: What happens if you abide by motorcycle accident laws in Georgia and still get involved in a crash? What next? Regrettably, no matter how law-abiding and careful one is when riding their motorcycle, riders are still at risk and vulnerable to the recklessness and negligence of other motorists.
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident and someone else is to blame, Fry | Goehring is ready to help.
At Fry | Goehring, our personal injury lawyers will advocate for your rights and interests if you have sustained injuries in a motorcycle crash due to someone else’s negligence. With our Georgia motorcycle accident law firm, you don’t have to go through this alone. Call us today at (404) 969-1284 to learn more about how Georgia motorcycle accident laws may affect your case and how our experienced legal team can help you get the results that matter.
But first, let’s discuss the rules of the road that apply to motorcyclists in Georgia.
Motorcycle Accident Laws in Georgia
Here are the rules and regulations that all Georgia riders must follow:
Georgia Helmet Laws
Motorcyclists are incredibly vulnerable and unprotected in the event of an accident. Fortunately, when riders and passengers wear helmets, they are 37% (for riders) and 41% (for passengers) less likely to succumb to fatal injuries. Helmet use also reduces the risk of head injury by 69%.
Since 1969, Georgia has applied “universal” motorcycle helmet laws, implying anyone on a motorcycle, be it the operator or passenger, must wear protective headgear while riding on public roads. Helmets worn by motorcyclists must meet the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) standards and have the DOT’s certification label.
Georgia Motorcycle “Clinging” and Eye Protection Laws
Motorcyclists in Georgia must follow specific rules while on the road. For instance, it is illegal for motorcyclists to cling to other vehicles or attach their bikes to other people’s cars. Motorcycle riders must all have both hands free at all times — no cellphone use — while on the road.
Additionally, a motorcycle must have a windshield big enough to provide eye protection unless the rider and passenger are wearing eye protection that has received approval from the Commissioner of Public Safety.
Georgia Motorcycle License Laws
Riders require a Class M Instructional Permit (MP) or Class M license to operate motorcycles in Georgia. To obtain this license, one must be at least 17 years old and pass a motorcycle skills test, which includes a vision exam. This law covers all types of motorcycles, including motorbikes, scooters, and mini-bikes with an engine size of 51 cc or greater.
Georgia Motorcycle Parking Laws
Generally, motorcycles follow the same parking rules as other vehicles unless otherwise posted. This means that operators of motorcycles can’t park:
- On a sidewalk
- In a bike lane
- In an intersection
- In handicapped spots — an exception exists if the operator has a disability parking permit
- On a bridge
- Near a fire hydrant (15 feet)
- In “no parking” zones
- On a crosswalk
- Near traffic signal (30 feet)
In the event that a rider parks by the roadside, they should park parallel to the curb and not perpendicularly.
Georgia Lane Splitting Laws
Lane splitting refers to the practice where a motorcyclist rides their bike between clearly marked lanes of stationary or slow-moving traffic cruising in the same direction. Lane splitting is illegal in most states in the U.S., including Georgia. Riders who engage in this unlawful practice risk facing hefty fines.
Georgia’s Motor Vehicles and Traffic Code §40-6-312 prohibits motor vehicle drivers from depriving operators of motorcycles of the full use of a lane. In other words, motorcyclists in Georgia are entitled to full use of lanes. Georgia also prohibits more than two motorcycles from sharing a single lane.
Georgia Motorcycle Insurance Requirements
All motorcyclists in Georgia operating on public roads must carry liability insurance. The minimum liability insurance for motorcyclists is:
- $25,000 liability insurance for bodily injury per individual
- $50,000 liability insurance for bodily injury per accident
- $25,000 liability insurance for property damage per accident
Supplemental insurance coverage, including uninsured/underinsured, collision, and comprehensive coverage, is also available to motorcycle operators in Georgia. An uninsured/underinsured policy typically pays for damages when a rider is involved in a hit-and-run accident, while collision coverage pays for motorcycle repairs.
Georgia Motorcycle Lighting Laws
It’s also important to note that Georgia requires motorcycle operators to have their headlights and taillights on even in broad daylight. All motorcyclists must also install properly functioning brake lights.
Georgia’s Fault System for Motorcycle Accident Claims
Georgia is an at-fault state. But how does this apply to a motorcycle accident claim or lawsuit filed by your motorcycle accident law firm in Georgia?
The at-fault doctrine assigns a proportion of blame to all parties involved in an accident. Each party’s percentage of fault impacts the amount of damages they can recover in an insurance claim or personal injury lawsuit. Since Georgia follows the modified comparative fault system, you may only recover compensation for your injuries and damages if you share less than 50% of the blame.
For example, if the courts determine your percentage of fault is 35% in a motorcycle crash and award $150,000 in damages, you may only recover 65% ($97,500) of the awarded damages.
This example highlights how important it is for an injured victim to build a compelling case against the defendant. Your Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer must prove that the opposing party shared more than half of the blame for the accident. But remember, the defendant may argue that you significantly contributed to the accident and your injuries. Insurance companies may also look for little details to increase your share of the blame and decrease their liability.
For this reason, it is advisable to retain the services of seasoned lawyers from a Georgia motorcycle accident law firm like Fry | Goehring. Our experienced attorneys can help you obtain the best settlement or verdict and prevent insurers from shortchanging you.
Georgia Motorcycle Safety Tips
Regrettably, even with all the above motorcycle accident laws in Georgia, crashes still happen due to the negligent or careless conduct of road users, including passenger car drivers, truck drivers, and bus drivers. Data from the Governor’s Office of Highway Safety indicates that there were 186 and 185 motorcycle fatalities in 2020 and 2021, respectively.
Motorcyclists in Georgia should follow the law and keep these tips in mind once they hit the road to avoid catastrophic motorcycle accidents:
- Take a safety course. The Georgia Motorcycle Safety Program offers motorcycle operators — experienced and amateurs — rider education programs to improve knowledge of safety issues.
- Be visible. Wear brightly colored clothing to increase your visibility to other road users.
- Inspect your motorcycle before you hit the road. Check if your brakes and lights work, your engine is properly functioning, and your tires are in great shape.
- Ride defensively. Do not speed and maintain a safe distance to make lane changes, turn, or stop.
- Don’t drink and ride. Never operate a motorcycle under the influence of drugs or alcohol. This also applies to fatigued or drowsy riders. Keep in mind that approximately 29% of motorcyclists killed in 2021 were drunk.
- Avoid driving in inclement weather or at night. It’s harder for drivers to spot motorcycles at night, increasing the risk of a motorcycle accident. Inclement weather, such as heavy rains, makes it more difficult for riders to control their motorcycles, increasing the likelihood of an accident.
- Carry a first-aid kit. Having a kit on you as you ride in Georgia can come in handy in case of a motorcycle accident. Ensure your kit has bandages, gauze, disinfecting wipes, hand sanitizer, and adhesive tapes.
Contact Our Experienced Georgia Motorcycle Accident Lawyers Now To Discuss Your Options
Compliance with motorcycle accident laws in Georgia will help keep you and your loved ones safe and limit your liability in the event of a crash. Familiarizing yourself with motorcycle laws also helps you protect your rights in the event another driver violates them.
If you have been hurt in an accident caused by someone else’s negligence, an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer in Atlanta, Georgia, may help you recover the compensation you are owed for your injuries and damages. At Fry | Goehring, our legal team is ready to help you throughout the claims process as you rest and recover.
To get started, call us now at 404-969-1284 or contact us online to schedule your free, confidential consultation.
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