Intersection Accidents

Georgia Motorcycle Collision Center

Atlanta motorcycle accident lawyer Stephen M. Ozcomert has a reputation for excellence in personal injury law. With over 20 years of experience, Mr. Ozcomert has helped numerous Georgia residents injured through the negligence of others. In handling numerous serious motorcycle accident cases, Mr. Ozcomert has seen that careless drivers pose the most serious threat of harm to riders at busy intersections.

Dangerous Intersections

Motorcycle accidents are common in intersections across Georgia. Head-on collisions between cars and motorcycles account for over 77 percent of accidents, almost half of which involve left turns. Collisions at intersections play a large role in 56 percent of motorcycle-related fatalities due to their inherent risks. Riders face heightened dangers at intersections, often involving:

• Speeding cars
• Illegal U-turns
• Left-hand turns
• Impaired driving
• Distracted driving
• Unsafe lane changes
• Vehicle’s blind spots
• Ignoring traffic signals
• Refusal to slow or stop
• Sudden, evasive actions

Due to their diminished visibility and lack of protective barriers, motorcyclists have good reason to fear careless drivers at intersections. An instant of distraction can lead to collisions that crush motorcycles or throw their riders into oncoming traffic. Because few car drivers anticipate the presence of passing motorcycles, they often fail to react in a crisis until it is too late. If you have been involved in a motorcycle collision at an intersection, do not hesitate to contact Atlanta intersection accident attorney Stephen M. Ozcomert who has the knowledge and experience to fight for your right to full recovery of damages.

Negligent Driving

The majority of intersection collisions are caused by careless driving. Drivers rarely look for approaching motorcycles or those passing between cars in slowed or stopped traffic. Failure to spot danger and prevent foreseeable accidents can violate the driver’s legal duty to riders. Under Georgia law, this type of driving can be known as “negligent,” and often involves:

• Alcohol use
• Driver fatigue
• Substance abuse
• High-risk behavior
• Talking and texting
• Blocking intersection
• Intentional, hostile acts
• Stopping “lane splitting”
• Speeding through red lights
• Turning left into wrong lane
• Tailgating, insufficient buffer
• Changing lanes in an intersection

When careless drivers hit motorcyclists passing through intersections, they can be held liable for the resulting injuries. Georgia law protects accident victims harmed in a preventable crash. The rules for proving negligence are set forth in the Official Code of Georgia Annotated (OCGA). They require proof that the driver’s breach of duty, or failure to exercise reasonable care, directly caused the accidental injury or wrongful death.

Liability for Damages

The OCGA does not require proof of malice, or intent to cause harm, to establish liability for negligence. Negligence can include innocent mistakes or reckless behavior the driver should have known would be dangerous. Injured riders who can show the link between this conduct and their losses may be entitled to various types of damages, including compensation for:

• Lost earnings
• Emergency care
• Medical expenses
• Permanent disability
• Occupational therapy
• Mental pain and suffering

OCGA §51-4-5 protects surviving family members and dependents who lose a loved one in a motorcycle accident. The wrongful death statute allows eligible claimants to recover personal injury damages as well as death or survivor benefits resulting from the loss. These benefits may include non-economic damages related to loss of protection, companionship, and guidance.

Obtain Legal Counsel Today

If you were injured in an intersection collision, Atlanta personal injury attorney Stephen M. Ozcomert can help. For over 20 years, Mr. Ozcomert has provided dedicated advocacy and results-driven service to injured victims throughout Georgia. Recognized as one of Georgia’s “Super Lawyers,” and as a member of its “Legal Elite,” Mr. Ozcomert remains committed to helping you obtain the compensation you deserve. Call (404) 370-1000 for a free consultation or contact us online.