Are Motorcycle Riders At Greater Risk Of Injury Than Other Motorists Are?
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and even thought we have motorcycle safety campaigns across the entire country, such as “Share the Road,” 4,381 motorcyclists were killed during 2013 in motorcycle accidents. Due to the nature of the vehicles, motorcycle riders are at greater risk of injury in an accident compared to passengers in other vehicles. The risk for fatality, spinal cord injury, traumatic head trauma, and severe internal injuries is greatly increased for motorcycle riders. Because of the severity of injuries, personal injury cases involving motorcycle riders typically are high-dollar cases.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
-
Other Drivers
Other drivers are the number one risk to motorcycle riders on our roads. Driver inattentiveness accounts for a large number of accidents each year. Other drivers simply do not pay enough attention to motorcycles on the road. Because drivers are not paying attention to the motorcycles sharing our roads, they improperly shift lanes in front of motorcycles, make left turns in front of motorcycles, and rear end motorcycles causing serious accidents.
-
The Size of a Motorcycle
The size of a motorcycle also increases the risk of accidents because they are much more difficult to see than a commercial or passenger vehicle. With only one headlight, they can be especially difficult to see at night. However, the size of a motorcycle is not an excuse for a driver carelessly, recklessly, or negligently causing an accident because he or she was not paying enough attention to see the motorcycle.
-
Road Conditions
Road conditions can quickly cause a motorcycle rider to lose control of the vehicle and crash. Even though a motorcyclist cannot control the road conditions, he or she should always pay close attention for changes or unsafe conditions on the road. Some intersections are designed in a way that makes it more difficult to see a motorcycle thereby increasing the risk of an accident. There are times when a motorcycle accident caused by road conditions or a bad intersection could be the fault of a third party and the motorcycle rider can receive damages for his or her injuries.
Damages Motorcycle Riders Can Recover from an Accident
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident due to the negligence of another party, you have the right to receive compensation for your damages. The injuries sustained in a motorcycle accident can be severe and life-altering. You should not bear the financial burden of another party’s negligence.
Because ongoing medical treatments and personal care can be costly, you need an experienced motorcycle accident attorney to help you recover damages for:
- Past and future medical expenses
- Past and future lost wages
- Loss of earning capacity
- Funeral expenses in the case of a death
- Physical pain
- Emotional suffering
- Loss of enjoyment of life or spousal relations
- Permanent disability or disfigurement
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact our office for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights to receive compensation from the party that caused your accident.
Contact an Experienced Radcliff and Elizabethtown
Motorcycle Accident 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 have been injured in an accident, we can help you get the compensation you deserve.
We represent clients throughout central Kentucky. Contact us at our Radcliff and Elizabethtown Office in Hardin County at (270) 351-6032 or toll-free 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.