Why Are Louisville Motorcycle Accidents So Serious?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), almost five thousand people were killed during 2012 in motorcycle accidents. This was a seven percent increase from the previous year. The number of people injured in motorcycle accidents during 2012 increased by fifteen percent to 93,000. While wearing helmets do save lives and reduce the severity of some injuries, motorcycle accidents do result in serious injuries for several reasons.

Motorcycle Accidents Cause Serious Injuries

Motorcycle riders are at a greater risk for serious injuries when involved in accidents with other vehicles compared to the passengers of automobiles and trucks. Unfortunately, the drivers of automobiles and trucks often cause the accident due to distracted driving or simply not paying enough attention to the road to see the motorcycle. The motorcyclist suffers serious injuries because of the other driver’s negligence.

Reasons why motorcycle accidents happen and result in serious injuries include:

• Riders can be thrown from the motorcycle upon impact. Being thrown from the vehicle results in serious injuries including broken bones, back injuries and serious head injuries. The rider violently strikes a wall, tree, other vehicle or the hard pavement.
• Motorcycles weight much less than other vehicles on the road. The huge disparity in vehicle weight is another reason for serious injuries.
• Motorcycles lack the same protection and safety features as other vehicle such as a protective enclosure, seatbelts and airbags.
• Motorcycles are much smaller than other vehicles making them much more difficult to see on the road due to the smaller profile. Because the motorcycle is much smaller, it is more likely that the other vehicle will “run over” the motorcycle and the driver during an accident.

Of course, serious injuries can result from any type of accident; however, motorcyclists are at a higher risk for those injuries. Because the injuries are more severe, the medical costs are very high in most motorcycle accidents. For that reason, it is important to seek the help of an experienced motorcycle accident attorney as soon as possible. The insurance company for the at-fault party will try to lower the amount of the claim whenever possible. Having an attorney on your side to fight the big insurance company is your best hope of receiving the compensation you deserve.

No amount of money will undo what has happened to you; however, it is your legal right to receive compensation for your damages. The money will help pay for your medical care, future medical costs and other expenses. You can also receive compensation for lost wages as well as pain and suffering.

Contact an Experience Louisville Personal Injury Attorney

We’ve Helped Thousands of KY Families, we can help you!

The personal injury attorneys of Musselwhite Meinhart & Staples, PSC have over 50 years of combined legal experience. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, we can help you. We represent clients throughout Hardin County, Jefferson County and central Kentucky.

Contact us at our Radcliff and Elizabethtown Office in Hardin County at (270) 351-6032 or at 1-800-754-HELP to schedule a free consultation with one of our attorneys. You may also contact our office through our convenient online contact form.