At What Age Can a Child Ride on a Motorcycle?

Georgia has no regulations regarding the appropriate age for a child to ride on a motorcycle. However, motorcyclists should consider other restrictions and concerns when taking a child for a ride.

For example, there are helmet requirements for younger riders in Georgia. Further, a child might be more vulnerable to injury in the event of a crash. If someone else was to blame, personal injury law in Georgia allows you to seek compensation for your child’s injuries from the insurer of the at-fault party. A trusted motorcycle accident attorney from Spaulding Injury Law: Atlanta Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyer in Atlanta can provide legal support when pursuing compensation.

Are Children Allowed to Ride a Motorcycle?

There is no age restriction for a child to ride on the back of a motorcycle in Georgia. However, the child must wear a helmet in compliance with Georgia motorcycle helmet laws. In addition, any rider on a bike must have footrests. Therefore, a child’s feet must be able to reach the motorcycle’s footrest. Depending on the child’s height and footrest position, this requirement could be difficult to meet with a small child.

Motorcycles must also have a passenger seat if carrying someone. Passengers should also sit behind the driver. You cannot place a child in front of you when the motorcycle is in motion.

At What Age Can a Child Ride on a Motorcycle?

Assuming you have safety equipment required to carry passengers, Georgia places minimum restrictions on who you can carry on a motorcycle.

A few rules that might apply to children include:

Size of the Child

Georgia law stipulates that anyone riding a motorcycle must sit in a passenger seat. This means that your child must be large enough to straddle the seat.

Strength

Your child must be large and strong enough to ride without you holding them for support. They must also be strong enough to ride behind you on the seat. Georgia law restricts riders from carrying anything that requires them to take their hands off the handlebars.

Motorcycle law restricts passengers from doing anything that might interfere with their view or ability to control the vehicle.

Common Injuries from a Motorcycle Accident

Accidents can happen when you have a child passenger. The following are the common injuries in a motorcycle accident:

• Spinal Cord Injuries: A spinal cord injury is damage to the bundle of nerves or nerve fibers that sends or receives signals from the brain. In a motorcycle accident, a rider can suffer a sudden or traumatic blow to the spine, which can fracture, dislocate, or crush one or more vertebrae.
• Bone Fractures: Bone fractures occur as a result of traumas such as falls or motor accidents. Symptoms include pain, swelling, tenderness, deformity, and the inability to move a body part like you usually do.
• Internal Injuries: The blunt force of motorcycle accidents can cause damage to internal organs, which may trigger internal bleeding. For instance, a shattered glass penetrating the skin can cause internal injuries. The symptoms of an internal injury are not immediately apparent, highlighting the need for a comprehensive medical examination.
• Burns: A rider can sustain severe burns if the motorcycle fuel tank spills and ignites during a crash. If untreated, burn injuries can result in bacteria infections, breathing problems, and scars caused by an overgrowth of scar tissue.
• Road Rash: When a rider makes contact with the road surface, they often suffer ‘severe’ skin abrasions called road rash. Road rash can cause severe infections or nerve damage.

What Precautions Should You Consider to Ride a Motorcycle?

Although motorcycles comprise 3% of registered vehicles and 0.7% of miles traveled in the United States, riders were involved in 14.6% of all traffic fatalities in 2022. When a motorcycle crashes, its riders lack the protection of an enclosed vehicle and are more likely to sustain severe or fatal injury.

However, riders can minimize motorcycle accidents by exercising caution on the road.

Here are a few safety tips to keep riders safe on the road:

Wear a Helmet

Head injuries are the leading cause of death in motorcycle accidents. Studies have shown that a helmet reduces the risk of severe brain injury and death after a fall or collision.

Just as important as wearing a helmet, a suitable unit saves lives. A helmet that doesn’t fit correctly or has improper cushioning may not provide adequate protection from a possible injury.

Take a Motorcycle Rider Course

Riders are inherently at a higher risk of accidents than drivers. Getting on a bike without prior training and education is a safety hazard. In addition to introductory operator courses, explore safety courses from organizations like the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.

Wear the Right Motorcycle Gear

Full motorcycle gear provides additional protection in case of an accident. In addition to helmets, protect yourself with motorcycle pants, gloves, boots, body armor, rain gear, and a reflective vest.

Inspect Your Bike

When riding down a highway, confirm that your bike is in top shape as a safety precaution. A mechanical failure could cause catastrophic injury.

Make a habit of performing pre-ride inspection, covering various sections of your ride, including:

• Headlamps
• Turn lights
• Brake lights
• Checking tires for wear, cuts, or bulges
• Maintaining proper fluid levels

Lubrication with the right product is an additional yet important step in keeping your bike in top shape

Watch the Weather

Since bikes are not as stable as cars, they are more susceptible to harsh weather, including rain and snow. With two wheels, a rider has half the traction of a car. In addition, the rider’s visibility is highly compromised without wipers.

Therefore, check the weather before setting off for a ride. If weather forecasts predict rain, heavy snow, or ice, leave the bike at home.

Get Legal Help From an Experienced Atlanta Motorcycle Accident Attorney

A motorcycle crash can cause serious injuries to you or a child passenger, and you deserve compensation if someone else is to blame. Spaulding Injury Law: Atlanta Personal Injury & Car Accident Lawyer is a law firm with decades of experience representing injury victims. Contact us online or at (770) 744-0890 for a free case consultation.

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