Motorcycle crashes can cause a wide range of injuries, but some occur far more often than others because riders have less protection than occupants of passenger vehicles. Below are a few examples you might want to be aware of.
Brain trauma from sudden impacts
A traumatic brain injury, often called a TBI, occurs when a collision causes the head to strike another object or exposes the brain to sudden acceleration and rotational forces. These injuries can vary from mild to life-threatening and may include:
- Concussions, which can disrupt memory, concentration and sleep for weeks even when brain imaging appears normal
- Contusions, or bruising of the brain, which sometimes needs surgery to relieve pressure inside the skull
- Diffuse axonal injuries, in which rotational forces tear the brain’s internal nerve connections and impair thinking, movement or consciousness
Georgia requires every motorcycle rider and passenger to wear a helmet that meets U.S. Department of Transportation standards. However, even compliant helmets absorb only part of the force generated during a crash, meaning a serious brain injury can still occur.
Bone fractures in vulnerable areas
When a motorcycle stops abruptly, momentum throws you into the handlebars, the other vehicle or the road surface. This can result in:
- Broken collarbones and shoulder damage from landing on one side
- Wrist and forearm breaks caused by bracing against the ground
- Femur, tibia and pelvic fractures when the bike pins the lower body
Many fractures need surgery to insert plates, screws or rods, followed by months of physical therapy to restore strength and mobility. If a claim settles before doctors determine whether additional procedures, such as hardware removal or joint replacement, will be necessary, it can not account for those future medical expenses.
Severe facial injuries and long-term effects
Even a helmeted rider can strike the ground hard enough to cause the following injuries:
- Jaw fractures that require surgeons to wire your jaw shut for weeks, forcing you to rely on liquid meals and making speech difficult
- Missing teeth that necessitate years of extensive dental procedures, including implants, bridges or bone grafts
- Orbital fractures that cause blurred or double vision, complicating daily activities like driving and using screens
Visible scars and permanent changes to your appearance can affect both personal and professional interactions long after the physical wounds heal. Georgia law allows these lasting effects to factor into the damages you might recover, apart from the cost of medical care.
Financial recovery and filing deadlines
Georgia applies a modified comparative negligence rule to crash claims. You may recover damages if your share of fault stays below 50%, but that percentage also reduces your award. For example, a $100,000 claim with 20% fault yields $80,000.
Furthermore, you have two years from the date of the collision to file your injury claim. However, cases involving government entities require a formal notice of claim much sooner. You have just six months to file this notice against a city, or 12 months for a county or state, otherwise you may lose your right to pursue a claim.