[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/rules-of-the-road-for-motorcyclists-in-georgia\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/rules-of-the-road-for-motorcyclists-in-georgia\/","headline":"Rules of The Road for Motorcyclists in Georgia","name":"Rules of The Road for Motorcyclists in Georgia","description":"Motorcyclists make up a relatively small number of the vehicles on the road. But their riders are involved in a disproportionate number of serious injury and fatal collisions. According to Forbes, \u201cmotorcycle riders account for 14% of all traffic [fatalities], despite the fact only 3% of all registered vehicles are motorcycles. Motorcycle crashes also account… Continue reading Rules of The Road for Motorcyclists in Georgia<\/span><\/a>","datePublished":"2023-08-28","dateModified":"2026-04-17","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/author\/butler\/#Person","name":"Jeb Butler","url":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/author\/butler\/","identifier":9,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f5a02bc71d91db5fc8645f129c4424ce6ef7af7e24fe54f4a85315a9dd28f317?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/f5a02bc71d91db5fc8645f129c4424ce6ef7af7e24fe54f4a85315a9dd28f317?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Butler Kahn","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Butler-Law-Firm-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/Butler-Law-Firm-Logo.png","width":210,"height":93}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ga-motorcycle-accident-3rd.jpg","url":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/10\/ga-motorcycle-accident-3rd.jpg","height":496,"width":640},"url":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/rules-of-the-road-for-motorcyclists-in-georgia\/","video":{"@context":"http:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"VideoObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ZIBXqmM3-x8#VideoObject","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ZIBXqmM3-x8","name":"Rules of the Road You Need to Know - Motorcycle Edition","description":"Attorney Tom Giannotti is here to explain the Rules of the Road for Motorcyclists. \n\nFor more information about the cases we handle, please visit: https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/\n\nAbout Tom Giannotti: https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/our-team\/tom-giannotti\/\n\n******************************************************\nSHARE THIS VIDEO: https:\/\/youtu.be\/ZIBXqmM3-x8\n******************************************************\n__________________________________________\nWe Have Four Locations to Serve You \nAtlanta, GA \nButler Kahn\n10 Lenox Pointe \nAtlanta, GA 30324 \nhttps:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/ \n--------\nLawrenceville, GA \nButler Kahn\n154 Stone Mountain Street, Suite 250\nLawrenceville, GA 30045 \nhttps:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/lawrenceville-injury-lawyers\n-------- \nRoswell, GA \nButler Kahn\n1255 Canton Street, Suite E \nRoswell, GA 30075 \nhttps:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/roswell-injury-lawyers\n-------- \nJonesboro, GA \nButler Kahn\n21 Lee Street, Suite 250 \nJonesboro, GA 30236 \nhttps:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/jonesboro-injury-lawyers\n------- \n\nCheck out our previous video: https:\/\/youtu.be\/Wx_S1bKROqc\n\n#personalinjury #atlantalawyer #motorcycle #rulesoftheroad \n\n\u25ba Tom Giannotti, attorney with Butler Khan back with another edition of the rules of the road you need to know. \n\nToday we're going to be talking about motorcycle safety.\n\n\u25baSo the number one rule here is share the road. \n\nThat's in all caps here because it is so important. \n\nWe see so many of these accidents that are so preventable because people are you're not paying attention or not paying enough attention.\n\nAnd so the old saying, look twice, save a life that is so important\n\nbecause even if you're paying attention to the road, you know, hands at 10 and 2, you're trying to do everything right, we see where drivers are not expecting or anticipating a motorcycle. \n\nThe same could be true of a bicyclist or a pedestrian, but a lot of drivers just from a human perspective are, I think, anticipating or expecting a larger vehicle like a car or a truck. \n\nAnd they're not necessarily registering that there are other smaller vehicles in the road that can be harder to see. \n\nSo again, looking twice is so important, especially if you're changing lanes, right? \n\nThere could be a motorcycle in your blind spot. It's going to be harder to see than if there were a large vehicle in your blind spot. \n\nBut that could be fatal for the motorcyclist, whereas it wouldn't be for an enclosed vehicle. \n \nSo important to be extra careful about motorcycles and other small vehicles on the road. \n\nA lot of motorcycle accidents also will happen when a driver is making a left hand turn and the driver fails to yield. \n\nThey don't see that there's a motorcycle approaching them. Again, they may be expecting, oh, I don't see any cars. \n\nSo, oh, I didn't see that bicyclist or that motorcyclist there. \n\nSo that is another really common cause of motorcycle accidents and all the more important to be especially vigilant for motorcycles. \n\nSo that brings us to basically the rest of the rules, two through five here are going to be more aimed at motorcycles as opposed to drivers. \n\nAnd we'll run through them. \n\n\u25ba Number two, lane splitting is illegal in Georgia. \n\nI think there's only, I think California, maybe the only state that actually allows lane splitting. \n\nBut if you don't know, that's when a motorcycle will really drive down between the two lanes down the dotted white line or whatever. \n\nMaybe at a stopped traffic light, it may be at highway speeds. \n\nEither situation is dangerous, particularly at higher speeds and it's illegal in state of Georgia. \n\n\u25ba And the same goes for what is sometimes called lane filtering, which is just a fancy term for leaving in and out of traffic. \n\nThat's also unsafe and illegal. So we would hate to see somebody get hurt doing something they shouldn't be doing. \n\nSo please follow the law in that regard. \n\n\u25ba And then number four, helmets are required in Georgia. \n\nWe are one of those states that does require anybody regardless of age, riding motorcycle or operating motorcycle. \n\nWe wearing a helmet, and make sure it's DOT approved. And that would include eye protection if your motorcycle does not have a windshield. \n\nThat's also required in Georgia. \n\n\u25ba And then last but not least, a motorcycle license is required. \n\nYou can go down and take the test at the DMV, get a permit, and then you can take the road test, get your license. \n\nIt's really important to make sure that your license and have that training is for your own safety, also because it's the law. \n\nBut I really can't emphasize number one enough to share the road. \n\nThe motorcycle wrecks, of course, are especially difficult because the injuries tend to be more serious. \n\nYou see a lot more fatalities in motorcycle wrecks. And it's terrible when the accident is entirely preventable, had a driver been paying attention to the road. \n\nSo please be vigilant out there. I can't emphasize that enough. Thank you for watching. Hopefully, this has been informative.","thumbnailUrl":["https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/ZIBXqmM3-x8\/default.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/ZIBXqmM3-x8\/mqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/ZIBXqmM3-x8\/hqdefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/ZIBXqmM3-x8\/sddefault.jpg","https:\/\/i.ytimg.com\/vi\/ZIBXqmM3-x8\/maxresdefault.jpg"],"uploadDate":"2023-08-16T05:41:31+00:00","duration":"PT4M41S","embedUrl":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/ZIBXqmM3-x8","publisher":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCeMYGr94Sf4LpYwIcO3P2Qw#Organization","url":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCeMYGr94Sf4LpYwIcO3P2Qw","name":"Butler Kahn","description":"We help people and families.\n\nOur firm specializes in personal injury and wrongful death cases. We are based in Atlanta, Georgia. We handle cases across Georgia and, for certain types of cases, all across the country.\n\nTOP-QUALITY LEGAL WORK. We do the work that lots of law firms skip. We track down witnesses, dig into the evidence, and prepare intensely for every deposition, trial, and hearing. We take a small number of cases so that we can devote our full attention to the clients we represent.\n\nPERSONAL SERVICE. If you hire us, you get us. You won't get blocked by a receptionist or leave unreturned messages. If you want to speak with your lawyer, you can.\n\nDOING WHAT WE SAY WE'LL DO. Some law firms make big promises at the beginning, then don\u2019t follow through. We shoot straight \u2013 when we tell you something about your case, good or bad, we mean it. No fake promises.\n\nButler Kahn\n10 Lenox Pointe\nAtlanta, GA 30324\n678-940-1444\n","logo":{"url":"https:\/\/yt3.ggpht.com\/NTOsbNEALVOnRbUCg7jUzYGcC4kNKsUTEVHm5TtiTQdLlfFKksLTnmiZG_t6zDG_e4ygtnva=s800-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj","width":800,"height":800,"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ZIBXqmM3-x8#VideoObject_publisher_logo_ImageObject"}},"potentialAction":{"@type":"SeekToAction","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ZIBXqmM3-x8#VideoObject_potentialAction","target":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ZIBXqmM3-x8&t={seek_to_second_number}","startOffset-input":"required name=seek_to_second_number"},"interactionStatistic":[[{"@type":"InteractionCounter","@id":"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=ZIBXqmM3-x8#VideoObject_interactionStatistic_WatchAction","interactionType":{"@type":"WatchAction"},"userInteractionCount":167}]]},"about":["Motorcycle Accident"],"wordCount":745,"articleBody":"Motorcyclists make up a relatively small number of the vehicles on the road. But their riders are involved in a disproportionate number of serious injury and fatal collisions. According to Forbes, \u201cmotorcycle riders account for 14% of all traffic [fatalities], despite the fact only 3% of all registered vehicles are motorcycles. Motorcycle crashes also account for 18% of all occupant fatalities and 4% of all injuries to vehicle occupants.\u201d Among other things, motorcyclists are less visible than cars and they lack the protection of enclosed vehicles.\u00a0Being involved in a motorcycle accident can result in serious and life-changing injuries. This can include broken bones, spinal cord injuries, and head trauma. The vast majority of motorcycle accidents are preventable and involve some amount of human error. If you want to stay safe as a motorcyclist, there are a number of rules of the road that you should follow.\u00a0Share The Road: So many accidents are caused by drivers that are not paying adequate attention to the road. Even when a driver is paying close attention to the road, they are typically not expecting smaller vehicles like motorcycles that are harder to spot. If you\u2019re changing lanes, there could easily be a motorcyclist in your blind spot. A collision in such a circumstance could easily be fatal for a person riding a motorcycle whereas it typically would not be for someone in an enclosed vehicle. Many motorcycle accidents also take place when a driver is making a left-hand turn and failed to yield because they didn\u2019t see an approaching motorcyclist. The old adage \u201clook twice and save a life\u201d is particularly instructive in this circumstance. Of course, these potential hazards make it all the more important for motorcyclists to always remain vigilant and drive defensively. It is never guaranteed that another person will act properly and follow traffic laws.Lane Splitting Is Illegal: Lane splitting occurs when a motorcyclist drives between two lanes of traffic on the dotted white line. This is not a law in every state, but lane splitting is illegal in Georgia. So far, California is the only state where lane splitting is legal. Lane splitting can occur at a traffic light or at freeway speeds. Either situation is needlessly dangerous. Lane filtering occurs when a motorcyclist weaves in and out of traffic. This is also quite unsafe and illegal. If a motorcyclist is involved in a crash while lane splitting, they may be found 100 percent responsible for the collision.Lane Sharing Is Legal: Lane sharing occurs when two motorcyclists ride side-by-side in a single lane of traffic. Though it is typically discouraged by transportation officials, lane sharing is legal. However, a motorcyclist may not share a lane of traffic with a passenger vehicle like a car or truck.\u00a0Helmets Are Required: Motorcyclists are required by law to wear helmets in Georgia. The style of helmet must be approved by the Department of Transportation. Georgia law also requires motorcyclists to have eye protection in the event that their vehicle does not have a windshield. Helmets are very important because they save lives. One report from the American Journal of Surgery found that riders with helmets were 44% less likely to die from their injury. Riders were also 31% less likely to break facial bones.Motorcycle License Required: In Georgia, a motorcycle license is required. A standard driver\u2019s license is not sufficient to operate a motorcycle. In order to get a motorcycle license, you must first take the written test at the DMV and then get a permit. You will then be free to take the road test and get your license. Getting a motorcycle license is not just required by law, the training it provides is also important for your own safety.\u00a0Motorcycle injuries tend to be much more serious. It\u2019s terrible when an accident occurs which is entirely preventable had a driver been paying attention to the road. For these reasons, it is extremely important to remain vigilant if you\u2019re riding a motorcycle. If you are involved in a motorcycle collision, it is important to understand that you do have rights. Our team of\u00a0 Atlanta motorcycle accident attorneys at Butler Kahn are here to help you. We are committed to getting our clients the medical support and financial compensation that they need in order to recover. Whether you just have legal questions or are thinking about hiring an attorney we are here for you. You can reach out to us anytime at 678-940-1444."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Rules of The Road for Motorcyclists in Georgia","item":"https:\/\/butlerfirm.com\/blog\/rules-of-the-road-for-motorcyclists-in-georgia\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]