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Motorcycle Injuries and Accidents
Motorcycle operators and passengers are not protected by the metal frame, seatbelts, air bags, and additional safety equipment that keep other motorists safe. Compared to other vehicles, motorcycle drivers/riders are 37 times more likely to die and 9 times more likely to be injured in a crash. Several factors can cause motorcycle accidents, from speeding and objects in the roadway to mechanical issues and alcohol use.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
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Speeding
- Speeding is a factor in most motor vehicle accidents. For motorcycle operators, both low and high speeds can cause accidents.
- At high speeds, the front end of a motorcycle may become unstable and begin to shake or “wobble,” increasing chances of an accident. High speeds also lower the amount reaction time drivers have.
- Slow driving, or not keeping up with the flow of traffic, is another cause of motorcycle crashes.
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Objects/Items in the Roadway
- Hazards that may be minor irritations for an automobile can be major threats for motorcyclists. Potholes, uneven pavement, debris or objects in the road (like tire treads, things fallen from trucks, branches, or rocks) can quickly cause an accident.
- Objects in the road can cause the motorcyclist to swerve to avoid a crash or the object itself can hit and seriously injure or kill the rider.
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Motorists not Seeing the Motorcycle
- Because motorcycles are smaller and more easily hidden by objects on or off the road, other vehicles are less likely to see them.
- Many automobile drivers claim they “never saw” the motorcycle before a collision.
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Mechanical Issues
- A defect in a motorcycle's design or manufacture can easily cause an accident; this could be the basis for a product liability case.
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Alcohol Use
- Alcohol can blur the vision and inhibit the body’s natural balance system and reaction time. All of these are crucial to operating any motor vehicle.
- Alcohol is cited as a factor in nearly half of all motorcycle accident fatalities.
Examples of Motorcycle Accidents
- A 26-year-old motorcyclist suffered facial injuries and paralysis of his right arm in a motorcycle accident caused by unkempt bushes blocking his vision. The reason for the accident was listed as “dangerous conditions of public property.” The state of California paid $2.49 million in damages.
- A Florida man fell from his motorcycle and suffered severe injuries; the accident was found to be caused by falling debris from a passing truck. The trucking company was held responsible and paid the man a $2.38 million settlement.
- In early 2011, a jury awarded $18.8 million to a motorcyclist who was involved in a serious accident when car pulled out in front of him. The collision left him paralyzed from the waist down.
- A man riding his motorcycle was severely injured when a car made an illegal turn in front of him. The man lost his leg as a result of the collision; he received a $2,800,000 verdict in the case.
- A man driving a commuter van claims to have never seen the motorcyclist he hit before he changed lanes and smashed into him. The victim suffered a severe foot fracture, requiring surgery and a career change. The van driver was found liable and the motorcyclist was awarded $1,850,000 in a settlement agreement.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
- In 2007 there were 103,000 motorcyclists injured and another 5,154 killed in crashes
- In 2008, there were 96,000 motorcyclists injured and another 5,290 killed in crashes
- In 2008, 25% of the motorcycles involved in fatal crashes collided with fixed objects
- In 2008, 2,554 (47%) of all motorcycles involved in fatal crashes collided with another type of motor vehicle in transport
- Three-quarters of these accidents involved motorcycles being hit in the front by another vehicle
- In two-vehicle crashes, 77% of motorcycles involved were struck in the front
Contact an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney
Thomas J. Henry Injury Attorneys have been committed to getting their clients the compensation they deserve and making sure the driver pays for the pain he caused. Because we understand being injured in a motorcycle accident causes lifetime pain and suffering, we put constant pressure on the insurance company and driver involved to ensure you receive the maximum monetary compensation you deserve.
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