Riding a motorcycle on the highway raises a whole set of concerns that don’t exist for drivers in cars or trucks. Other vehicles have obviously physical barriers which enclose the drivers and passengers, offering them protection. When a motorcycle crash occurs, the rider is more exposed to more hazards, such as other vehicles as well as guardrails, sign posts and more. This makes motorcyclists more susceptible to serious injury or even death when involved in an accident. Unfortunately, this is what happened to a 33-year-old motorcyclist late last month in Georgia.
The incident occurred when the motorcyclist collided into the side of a tractor-trailer truck. The motorcyclist was driving westbound on a U.S. highway when he crashed into the truck while traveling at a high speed. Authorities reported that the accident happened early in the morning at 1:30 a.m. Apparently, the motorcyclist failed to stop at a traffic light. He died at the scene as a result of his injuries.
Once authorities arrived on the scene, they had a difficult time identifying the motorcyclist. He was not carrying any identification, and the vehicle’s registration was incomplete. The police are still investigating the incident to find out exactly what happened. As of yet, there have been no reports as to possible reasons why the motorcyclist failed to stop at the traffic light.
At this point, Georgia police have not issued any details as to the official cause of the accident or which driver is primarily at fault. The final accident report will provide a greater measure of clarity into the circumstances behind the fatal collision.
In the case of many motorcycle accidents, it is the blatant negligence or inattention of other drivers on the road that leads to the collision. Unfortunately, that lack of reasonable care often has disastrous consequences. Though drivers must always exercise caution, it is especially important to be aware of any motorcyclists nearby. In addition to potential criminal punishments, motorists face potential civil penalties when they cause a motorcycle accident.
Source: WTVM News, “Motorcyclist in Savannah dies in crash with truck,” July 22, 2012