What Causes a High Side Motorcycle Accident in Georgia?

If you’ve been involved in a high side motorcycle accident in Georgia, you know firsthand how terrifying and sudden these crashes can be. High side wrecks are among the most violent and dangerous types of motorcycle accidents. They often leave riders with severe injuries, overwhelming medical bills, and more questions than answers. At Bourne Law Firm, we’ve helped injured riders across Georgia understand what caused their crash and what their legal options are.

This guide breaks down what a high side motorcycle accident is, the most common causes, Georgia laws that may affect your claim, and what to do next if you’re recovering from one.

What Is a High Side Motorcycle Accident?

A high side accident happens when the rear wheel of a motorcycle loses traction, begins to skid, and then suddenly regains traction, causing the bike to violently flip and throw the rider. These crashes occur quickly and with almost no warning. According to technical explanations of high side accidents, this sudden grip of the rear wheel can launch a rider headfirst or over the handlebars, often resulting in catastrophic injuries. (en.wikipedia.org)

A high side crash is far more dangerous than a lowside because the rider is thrown upward and forward, often into traffic or hard surfaces, increasing the risk of:

• Broken bones
• Head injuries
• Spinal trauma
• Severe contusions
• Being struck by the motorcycle itself

Understanding what causes this violent loss—and regain—of traction is essential for both prevention and determining who may be liable.

Common Causes of High Side Motorcycle Accidents in Georgia

High side crashes can result from rider error, sudden traction changes, mechanical failures, or the negligence of other drivers. In Georgia, these factors are often amplified by heavy traffic, unpredictable drivers, and rapidly changing road conditions.

Below are the most common causes supported by Georgia accident data and national safety research.

1. Sudden Rear-Wheel Traction Changes

High side accidents almost always begin with rear-wheel instability. This can happen when:

• A rider brakes too hard and locks the rear wheel
• The motorcycle skids over gravel, oil, or wet pavement
• A sudden release of the brake occurs while the wheel is still sideways

When traction snaps back, the bike pivots violently—resulting in the classic high side ejection. Technical sources emphasize that at certain angles and speeds, the rider has virtually no ability to correct the motion. (en.wikipedia.org)

2. Slippery or Hazardous Road Conditions

Wet roads, sand, uneven pavement, and debris are common across Georgia—especially after rainstorms and during seasonal changes. Research shows adverse weather conditions increase motorcycle accident rates by up to 15%, especially when traction is compromised.

Poor road maintenance can also contribute to traction loss, making high side crashes more likely when a rider encounters:

• Loose gravel
• Potholes
• Oil slicks
• Construction debris

3. Excessive Braking or Improper Braking Technique

Applying too much rear brake—especially at higher speeds—creates the perfect setup for a high side crash. Once the rear wheel locks, releasing the brake too quickly allows traction to return in an instant, whipping the motorcycle upright and throwing the rider.

Motorcycle safety guidance warns riders not to release a locked rear brake suddenly when traveling at speed because doing so creates the high side condition. (en.wikipedia.org)

4. Speeding and Aggressive Riding

Speeding is a major contributing factor in Georgia motorcycle crashes. Statewide reports indicate that 35% of motorcyclists involved in fatal accidents were speeding, which dramatically heightens the risk of losing traction.

At high speeds, even a minor skid can turn into a catastrophic high side crash.

5. Distracted or Negligent Drivers

Distracted motorists frequently cause conditions that lead to high side accidents. For example, if a driver suddenly merges or cuts off a motorcyclist, the rider may brake abruptly, causing rear-wheel traction loss.

Georgia data shows distracted driving is involved in nearly 20% of motorcycle crashes in the state.

This often occurs in congested areas like Atlanta, Augusta, and Athens, where sudden traffic movements are common.

6. Mechanical Failure or Improper Maintenance

Certain mechanical issues can increase the risk of rear-wheel instability, including:

• Worn tires
• Faulty brakes
• Chain or drivetrain malfunctions
• Suspension problems

When combined with Georgia’s uneven road surfaces or traffic congestion, mechanical failures often create the perfect storm for a high side crash.

Georgia Motorcycle Accident Statistics You Should Know

High side accidents are just one of many dangerous motorcycle crash types, but Georgia’s overall motorcycle accident picture shows how vulnerable riders are statewide.

Recent reports reveal:

• 221 motorcycle fatalities in Georgia in 2022, setting a state record.
• Motorcyclists make up 18% of all traffic deaths despite representing just 1% of crashes.
• Riders ages 25–34 suffer the highest rate of serious injuries and deaths.
• 88% of riders wore helmets, saving an estimated 117 lives in 2022.

These numbers highlight how crucial proper gear, rider awareness, and safe road conditions are in preventing tragic outcomes.

Georgia Laws That Affect High Side Motorcycle Accident Claims

If you’ve been injured in a high side motorcycle accident, Georgia law plays a major role in determining your rights and your ability to recover compensation.

Georgia’s Modified Comparative Negligence Rule

Georgia follows a modified comparative negligence system under O.C.G.A. § 51-12-33. This means:

• You can recover damages only if you were less than 50% at fault.
• Your compensation is reduced by the percentage of fault assigned to you.

For example, if you were braking too hard but another driver caused the initial hazard, your fault percentage will affect your claim.

Georgia case data shows many motorcycle accidents involve other drivers failing to yield, making them primarily responsible for the crash—even when the rider’s braking contributed to the high side event.

Georgia’s Universal Helmet Law

Georgia law requires all motorcyclists to wear a helmet under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-315.

While not wearing a helmet doesn’t prevent you from filing a claim, insurance companies may try to use it to reduce compensation—even in high side crashes where helmet use doesn’t affect fault.

Georgia’s Distracted Driving Law

The Hands-Free Georgia Act prohibits drivers from holding or touching a cell phone while driving. Violations frequently lead to sudden, unpredictable driver behavior that forces motorcyclists into dangerous braking situations.

If a distracted driver caused you to lose control and high side, that evidence is critical for your injury claim.

Who Is Responsible for a High Side Motorcycle Accident?

Determining liability can be complex because high side accidents often involve split-second reactions to outside dangers. At Bourne Law Firm, we investigate:

• Whether another driver forced you to brake suddenly
• Whether road defects or debris contributed to traction loss
• Whether weather conditions played a role
• Whether a mechanical defect caused the skid
• Whether the other driver was impaired, speeding, or distracted

Georgia data confirms that issues like left-turn collisions, speeding drivers, and impaired motorists frequently cause motorcycle accidents across the state.

Even if you initially think the crash was your fault, an investigation may reveal that another party created the conditions that caused your high side.

What to Do After a High Side Motorcycle Accident in Georgia

If you’ve been injured in a high side crash, here are important steps to protect your health and your legal rights:

1. Get Immediate Medical Care – High side crashes cause severe trauma that may not be obvious right away.
2. Document the Scene – If possible, take photos of the road conditions, skid marks, debris, and vehicle damage.
3. Get Witness Information – Statements can help prove a driver cut you off or caused your sudden braking.
4. Do Not Give Recorded Statements to Insurance – Adjusters often try to shift blame onto the rider.
5. Call a Georgia Motorcycle Accident Attorney – At Bourne Law Firm, we investigate fault, gather evidence, and fight to get you the compensation you deserve.

How Bourne Law Firm Can Help

If you’re recovering from a high side motorcycle crash, you don’t have to face the insurance companies alone. Our team understands the physics of motorcycle accidents, Georgia traffic laws, and the tactics insurers use to deny or reduce claims.

We help clients recover compensation for:

• Medical bills
• Lost wages
• Pain and suffering
• Motorcycle repairs or replacement
• Long-term disability or rehabilitation

You deserve answers, accountability, and financial recovery. We’re here to help you get them.

FAQs About High Side Motorcycle Accidents

If you or a loved one suffered injuries in a high side motorcycle crash, you don’t have to navigate this alone. Contact Bourne Law Firm today for a free consultation. We’re here to help you get the answers and compensation you deserve.