Category : Motorcycle Accidents
The family of a deceased North Carolina man offered forgiveness to the negligent driver who caused the April 2009 motorcycle crash that killed their son, Stanley Torr Barnes.
The accident demonstrates some of the most terrifying safety concerns for motorcycle drivers.
Jason Albert Smith was intoxicated by alcohol at the time of the accident and according to the Star News, he turned his car left in front of Barnes’ motorcycle. Many serious and fatal motorcycle accidents involve alcohol or a vehicle turning left into the path of a motorcycle.
Smith left the scene of the crime and returned later to turn himself over to authorities. In September 2009, Smith pleaded guilty to one count each of felony death and hit and run resulting in serious bodily injury or death.
Smith’s sentence includes:
- 120 days in jail (with 25-27 months of the sentence suspended)
- Three years probation
- Loss of driver’s license
- $1,000 fine
- 50 hours of community service
At Smith’s trial, the family of the motorcycle accident victim offered forgiveness to Smith, but they have expressed their intention to seek financial restitution in the form of a wrongful death lawsuit. If you have lost a loved one or family member in a similar accident, you might also have questions about liability and your rights.
When selecting a personal injury attorney you’ll want to ask critical questions such as: how long have you been practicing law; do you have experience with motorcycle accident cases; what is the biggest settlement or verdict you have won?
The after-effects of a motorcycle accident aren’t limited to property damage and physical injuries. If you have been involved in a traumatic event, such as a motorcycle accident “particularly those caused by another driver’s negligence” you might be susceptible to psychological consequences, such as symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Signs and symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder include:
- An obsessive fixation on the events of the accident
- Debilitating fears and anxiety, including intense fear of traveling in motor vehicles or driving
- Anger and stress that persist long after the accident
If you believe that you are experiencing the symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder, talk to your family doctor. He can help you determine the best course of action and might recommend professional treatment.
Resources for the treatment of PTSD include:
- Trauma counseling
- Family therapy
- Working with a clinical social worker
- Regular treatment with a psychologists or psychiatrists
Unfortunately, treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder can be costly, particularly if you are coping with other medical bills associated with your motorcycle accident injuries. A personal injury lawyer may be able to help you get the money you will need in order to pursue qualified treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.
For more information about motorcycle accidents and coping with the death of a loved one, visit our library.
A personal injury attorney can help you understand your rights and determine liability. Most states have a statute of limitations that may prohibit you from filing a lawsuit if too much time has passed.
If you were recently injured in a motorcycle accident, you are likely glad to be alive. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, motorcyclists are more likely to be killed than car drivers. In fact, in 2006, the fatal motorcycle accident rate was 35 times that of cars.
You probably hear all about how you could have easily been killed. However, there are consequences of motorcycle crashes other than death.
According to the Hurt Report, the following is true of many motorcycle accidents:
98% of accidents with multiple vehicles, and 96% of single-vehicle accidents, resulted in injury to the motorcyclist
- 45% of accidents in the study involved more than just a minor injury
- About half of the injuries were to the foot, knee, ankle, lower leg, or thigh
- 13% of the accidents resulted in groin injury to the rider
- The most common breakages were in the pelvis and shoulder, though other joints like fingers, hips, elbows, and even spine were also common
- Soft tissue damage, including facial disfigurement, was also seen often in cases without a full-face helmet or protective riding gear
You might have some of the motorcycle injuries discussed here, or you might have gotten lucky and only have minor scrapes and bruises. Either way, you will no doubt have medical bills, lost wages, bike damage, and other expenses which can be compensated through a personal injury lawsuit against the driver that caused the accident.
Browse our library to learn more about motorcycle accidents.
You have probably heard that motorcycles are not safe, but you might have wondered why. Motorcycle sales have increased by about 30% and the motorcycle fatality rate has increased by 50% in the same time period, according to The Washington Times. So, clearly, there is a safety issue.
There are plenty of elements that help cause motorcycle accidents.
The Insurance Information Institute and The Washington Times offer several reasons for motorcycle crashes:
- Motorcycles are less visible to drivers than cars
- In a motorcycle accident, riders hit the pavement because motorcycles don’t have an outer covering
- Road conditions that are minor to most drivers, such as puddles, road debris, and gravel, can be a major hindrance to motorcycle riders
- Statistics show that alcohol and speeding are factors in motorcycle crashes more often than in accidents involving cars or trucks
The fact that more riders involved in fatal motorcycle crashes did not have a valid driver’s license than those in fatal car accidents also contributes to motorcycle crashes. Add to this fewer safety precautions, such as airbags and seatbelts, and the rather high fatal motorcycle accident rate should come as no surprise to many.
If you or a loved one has experienced this type of ordeal, it might be time to talk to a motorcycle accident attorney.
Get more resources and information about motorcycle accidents.
If you want to avoid being involved in a fatal motorcycle accident, you should wear a helmet. In fact, many states now require all riders to wear a helmet, or at least those under the age of 17. To find out if your state requires helmets, check with the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.
According to the Insurance Information Institute, helmets are 37% effective in saving lives and 67% effective in thwarting brain damage due to motorcycle injuries. In addition, 78% of riders in states with helmet laws wore them as of June 2008, compared with only 50% of those in states that do not require helmet use.
Clearly, wearing a helmet can increase your odds of surviving a motorcycle crash.
Consider these helmet buying tips from Motorcycle Cruiser:
- Make sure the selected helmet has a D.O.T., or Department of Transportation, certification sticker
- Do not buy a helmet that comes off your head easily when the chinstrap is fastened
- Decide if you want a helmet with full-face coverage, or perhaps one with a flip-up facial section
- Try to buy a helmet that is brightly colored so you are more visible to drivers
- Consider optional features like vents, a breath guard, removable padding, and scratch-resistant paint
Since a helmet could save your life in a motorcycle crash, put some thought into selecting one. It is a purchase that could change or save your life.
Browse our library to learn more about motorcycle accidents.
Motorcycle accidents have recently increased in number, partly due to the highest motorcycle sales in over 30 years. Though an interest in bikes might not be a bad trend, the higher motorcycle fatality rate is certainly not a good one. According to The Washington Times, there were 4,810 motorcycle crashes resulting in death in 2006: an increase of more than 1,600 since 2001.
Motorcycle accidents can happen anywhere. A recent case occurred in Oregon on Sept. 18, 2009. According to Salem-News.com, 10 members of the Brothers Speed Motorcycle Club were sent to the hospital, two with critical injuries, after trying to avoid colliding into the car ahead of them due to traffic that had stopped.
The two men who were critically injured were 40 and 38, which coincides with research from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety that says the average bike owner in 2003 was 42 years old. The average age of those killed in a fatal motorcycle accident was 39 in 2007.
This story is just one example of the increase in motorcycle injuries and fatalities. The age of both bike owners and victims of motorcycle crashes is worrisome, but the trend can likely be reversed with increased attention to motorcycle safety for both bikers and passenger vehicle drivers.
Browse our library to learn more about trends in motorcycle crashes.
You may have noticed this scene: as you cross a state line, you see a large group of motorcyclists removing their helmets. The sad fact is that some states do not have a helmet use law thus, some motorcyclists enjoy the “freedom” of not being required to wear a helmet in these states.
Perhaps you work in an emergency room and have seen more than your share of motorcycle accident victims, who left half of their skin on a road somewhere, in addition to sustaining a massive head injury, due to not wearing protective gear or helmets.
The question then arises: which is more important — dealing with the relative “inconvenience” of wearing a helmet and therefore providing a greater measure of protection for yourself during a crash? Or enjoying your “freedom” without a helmet, getting into a motorcycle accident, and sustaining head injury, brain damage, or possible death?
The truth is that numerous reports reveal nearly every fatal motorcycle accident involved a severe head injury due to the operator not wearing a helmet. Helmet use laws are intended to protect motorcycle operators during motorcycle crashes, whether due to their own or someone else’s actions.
States with helmet use laws in fact have fewer fatalities among motorcycle crash victims compared to states which have no helmet use laws. This seems to substantiate the notion that wearing motorcycle helmets is a good idea.
However, if you or a loved one has sustained injuries due to someone else’s negligence, you should consider contacting a motorcycle accident attorney or personal injury lawyer who can help you get compensation for your medical bills and other expenses.
Learn more about motorcycle safety and the importance of wearing a helmet while riding.
Over 5000 riders every year are in fatal motorcycle accidents, and motorcyclists in general are 35 times as likely to be killed per vehicle mile when compared against drivers of passenger vehicles. There is a lot of information on motorcycle safety available, and using this to your advantage when you ride is an important part of reducing motorcycle injury rates.
General Motorcycle Safety Tips
One of the most important things you can do while riding is to wear a helmet. Wearing a helmet reduces the chance of fatality in motorcycle crashes by roughly 40%!
Wearing a helmet can also reduce the number of injuries sustained, specifically to the head, brain, neck, and spinal cord. The medical treatment for these injuries is typically very expensive, and they can have a devastating effect on one’s lifestyle.
Being aware of other motorists is a key part of motorcycle safety. Give yourself ample room to move, and give other drivers time to react. Also keep your eyes open for turning vehicles, as a large number of motorcycle accidents are from the side.
Make yourself visible. Wearing high visibility clothing or light strips, keeping your headlight on, and riding in a part of the lane where you are easy to be seen are all good ways to make sure other drivers know where you are. Avoid other drivers blind spots as well.
Practicing motorcycle safety is often a matter of common sense, but by following these tips you can greatly reduce the chance of becoming a motorcycle fatality.
Learn more about motorcycle safety tips and accident prevention techniques.
If you were involved in a motorcycle accident talk with professional accident attorney or personal injury lawyer to learn your rights.
Riding motorcycles has always been more dangerous than driving passenger cars, but the motorcycle fatality rate has been rising for the last 10 years. In fact, motorcycles remain one of the most dangerous methods of transportation. Here are some basic statistics on motorcycle accidents that have been collected over the last several years.
Fatal Motorcycle Accident Statistics:
- Motorcyclists account for roughly 12% of vehicle deaths.
- Roughly 5000 riders were in fatal motorcycle accidents last year.
- Out of all fatal motorcycle accidents, 25% did not have a valid license.
- Roughly 40% of the riders in fatal motorcycle crashes were not wearing a helmet (wearing a helmet is estimated to reduce the risk of fatality by roughly 35% percent).
- More than 90% of motorcycle riders killed last year were males.
- Motorcyclists are 35 times more likely to die per vehicle mile as those driving passenger vehicles.
There are in fact a huge number of statistics that repeatedly confirm that driving a motorcycle is a high risk activity and that proper motorcycle safety protocol is a crucial part of reducing that risk while riding.
Helmet law regulations are intended to reduce the chance of fatality and injury, in addition to other clothing and driving guidelines that help keep riders safe.
Many motorcycle crash-related injuries are quite costly, even at lower speeds.
