Accidents happen every day in Georgia. Automobile collisions cause injuries that devastate the lives of victims and their families.
Accidents involving standard-size vehicles can be different from those involving motorcycles or trucks. Knowing how they’re different can help drivers and their families stay safe.
If you’ve been injured in a car, motorcycle, or truck accident, an experienced attorney can help you get the compensation you deserve.
How Different Vehicles Affect the Outcomes of Collisions
Standard cars include economy, compact, mid-size, and full-size vehicles. Smaller vehicles can be more vulnerable in collisions when compared to full-size sport utility vehicles (SUV).
The weight of the vehicle and the speed at which it is traveling will determine the extent of the injuries and damages sustained in an accident.
Large and heavy trucks are harder to bring to a complete stop when compared to smaller cars. This increases the risk of injury or death for everyone involved.
Motorcycles don’t provide the same physical barriers that cars and trucks do. As a result, motorcycle riders are the most vulnerable people on the roadways.
The Injuries Caused by Car, Truck, and Motorcycle Accidents
For motorcycle riders, even a collision that occurs at a relatively low speed can lead to serious injuries.
Riders can sustain injuries that include road rash and cuts resulting from sliding across pavement or being dragged along the road by a larger vehicle.
They can be thrown from their seat into oncoming traffic, leading to traumatic head, neck, and other injuries.
Motorcycles and compact cars aren’t always visible to drivers of large trucks, further increasing the risk of a collision.
The following are common accident injuries for motorcycle, car, and truck drivers:
- Minor cuts and bruises
- Broken bones
- Head and neck injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Loss of limbs
- Organ damage
- Burns
- Paralysis
In addition to the size of vehicles, other factors such as driver negligence, limited visibility, and inclement weather can all contribute to the severity of injuries.
Driver Safety and Protecting Your Rights When You’ve Been Injured in an Accident
It’s impossible to eliminate the risk of an accident, but there are ways to keep you and your loved ones safe. Driving defensively is the best way to protect yourself from injury or death.
Negligent and reckless drivers increase the risk of an accident. Road rage, driving while under the influence (DUI) of alcohol or drugs, and distracted driving are other factors that lead to accidents.
Be aware of your surroundings so you can avoid sudden changes, such as a car slamming on their brakes in front of you or a child running out into the street.
Obey traffic laws and control your speed at all times, and be prepared to react to the unpredictable behaviors of other drivers. Keep a safe distance to reduce the risk of a collision.
If you’ve been injured in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident, contact an attorney as soon as possible.
An attorney can represent you and negotiate with insurance companies on your behalf.
Your accident attorney can help you gather the evidence you need to get compensated for your injuries. These include police reports, photos and videos, eyewitness testimony, and medical records.
A skilled personal injury attorney in Georgia can assess the total value of your claim.
They can help you hold at-fault drivers accountable for injuries, pain and suffering, the loss of income, or the death of a loved one.
With the help of a personal injury attorney in Georgia, you can protect your legal rights, hold negligent drivers accountable, and help keep other Georgia residents safe from harm.
