Motorcycle drivers are extremely vulnerable to collisions and serious injuries when they operate in heavy traffic. A motorcycle does not offer the protection from injury that an automobile does. A recent motorcycle accident in Gwinnett County provides a sad demonstration.
Accident and injuries
According to police, the motorcyclist was traveling north on I-85 in Gwinnett County. The motorcyclist crashed into the back of an SUV. The bike and the rider were thrown through the air into the southbound lane of the freeway. The bike landed on a southbound pickup truck, and the rider landed on the pavement.
The driver of the motorcycle died of his injuries at the scene. The driver of the SUV was treated for minor injuries and released. The four persons in the pickup truck suffered non-life threatening injuries but were taken to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Accident liability
Police are still looking for witnesses to help them determine the cause of the accident. Based on current information, the driver of the motorcycle would appear to bear the greatest percentage of fault. However, if the SUV did not have operating taillights, or if it stopped suddenly, the driver or owner of the SUV may bear a significant percentage of fault. Depending upon the results of the police investigation, the family of the motorcyclist may have a claim for wrongful death if one of the other parties is proved to have been negligent. Georgia is not a no-fault jurisdiction, and no insurance payments will be made unless or until fault is determined.
Accidents such as this one can be difficult to evaluate until fault is determined. Anyone who has suffered an injury or lost a loved one in a similar accident may wish to consult an experienced accident attorney for an analysis of the evidence and an estimate of the likelihood of recovering damages for medical expenses, lost income and pain and suffering.
