Now that the summer weather has arrived, motorcyclists across Georgia are hitting the road with their bikes. While you may be excited to try some new routes in Georgia this year, you should also remain mindful of what you can do to stay safe on your motorcycle and reduce your risk of getting injured in a motorcycle accident.

5 Tips for Motorcycle Safety

If you plan to get out on the roads and highways in Georgia this motorcycle season, you should keep a few tips in mind to help you arrive at your destinations safely:

1. Ride defensively. Defensive riding can help you avoid many potential causes of accidents on the road. Defensive riding involves keeping your eyes open for road hazards like gravel, uneven surfaces, or potholes, as well as for other motorists who drive in an unsafe or reckless manner. Riding defensively also includes always leaving enough room between yourself and other vehicles on the road so that you can react in an emergency.
2. Wear the correct gear. Georgia law requires all riders to wear a helmet that meets federal safety standards. A compliant helmet will usually have a “DOT” sticker affixed to the back. The law also requires riders on motorcycles without a windshield to either wear safety goggles or have an eye or face shield on their helmet. All riders should also wear gloves, boots, or footwear covering the ankle, long pants, and a long shirt or jacket made from a durable material. Covering up can help protect a rider from injury. Riders should also select either brightly colored clothing or add reflective tape to their helmet and clothing to make them more visible to other motorists.
3. Be rested and ride sober. Avoid getting on a motorcycle while feeling tired or drowsy, or after consuming alcohol or drugs. Drowsiness or intoxication can impair your judgment, perception, and reaction times, affecting your ability to operate a motorcycle safely.
4. Follow all traffic rules. Although other motorists may not always follow the law, you can help protect yourself by always following all traffic laws, especially those unique to motorcycles.
5. Expect the unexpected. Always remember to leave yourself an “out,” which means giving yourself time and space to slow down or maneuver out of the way of a potential accident. You never know when you may be faced with an emergency out of the blue.

Best Motorcycle Riding Roads Near Atlanta

Georgia has some of the best motorcycle riding roads in the Eastern United States. Even if you live in the Atlanta metro area, you can find great routes not too far from the city. Some excellent riding roads near Atlanta offered by Riders Share include:

• The Mount Olivet Loop is a route that begins on Highway 61 in Dallas, GA, turns west onto Polk Avenue, which becomes Mt. Olivet Road.
• Cumming to Stone Mountain begins on GA Highway 9 in Cumming. You’ll pass through the forests of North Georgia and also ride by Lake Lanier. Most of the route follows lightly traveled two-lane highways, although you should expect heavier traffic as you approach Stone Mountain.
• The Quad County Figure Eight is a route in the shape of a figure-eight that traverses four counties. Beginning at US-41 and Black Acre Trail in Acworth, the route takes you through Cobb, Bartow, Paulding, and Polk Counties. You’ll ride through a mix of both countryside and suburban communities.
• The North Georgia Route begins in Cartersville and proceeds through Fairmount, Ludville, Jaster, and Waleska before going back in the direction of Cartersville. This route takes you along the southern base of the Smoky Mountains in North Georgia. The portions of the route on GA-20 and Highway 515 can see heavy traffic. Jerusalem Church Road and Henderson Mountain Road can provide less busy alternate routes.
• State Road 53 from Tate to Dawsonville is a route also called the “Tate Haul” that is likely better suited for more experienced riders due to sharp corners and steep grades.

What You Should Do If You Are Injured in a Motorcycle Accident

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident in Georgia, you can take steps in the hours and days following the accident to help preserve your legal rights and options for obtaining compensation for any injuries you may have sustained in the crash.

• Get examined by your primary physician or by another medical provider as soon as possible after the accident. Prompt medical attention will not only mean that you begin treatment more quickly and improve your prognosis but also creates a record that helps establish that your injuries were caused by the motorcycle accident.
• Take down the contact and insurance information from the other motorists involved in the accident. Also, make sure to note their vehicle’s make, model, and license plate number.
• Take photos or video of the crash scene, including vehicle damage, debris or skid marks in the road, traffic lights and road lines at the scene, and the lighting and weather conditions at the time of the crash. Try to photograph the scene from the perspective of each motorist involved in the accident to capture any visible obstructions that a motorist may have had.
• Photograph any visible injuries you suffered in the accident.
• Try not to discuss the accident or your case on social media. If you are still undergoing treatment for injuries, avoid posting photos or videos of yourself on social media. Insurance companies love to use accident victims’ profiles to try to attack their credibility.
• Make time to speak to a motorcycle accident attorney about how they can help you pursue your claim for compensation against those at fault for the accident.

You don’t have to pursue a motorcycle accident claim on your own. An experienced attorney can fight on your behalf against the insurance companies to pursue fair and full compensation for you. A Georgia motorcycle accident attorney from Butler Kahn can help you understand your legal rights and options following a crash. Reach out if you would like to talk about your situation for free.