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ChatMA and RI Attorneys with Years of Experience Representing Motorcycle Crash Victims
When it comes to collisions involving motorcycles and automobiles, the motorcycle – and those on it – generally sustain the bulk of the damage and injuries. That was certainly the case recently in a July 2016, Wrentham, MA accident that resulted in the death of a Rhode Island man, who had been driving the bike, and serious injuries to his 15-year-old passenger. According to at least one report, the driver of the vehicle may have turned left in front of the motorcycle. No one in the automobile was injured.
Motorcycle Crash Statistics
According to information gathered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), while fatalities are down slightly, more than 4,500 persons die each year in crashes involving motorcycles. The number of motorcycle injuries appears to be rising, however, with some 92,000 injured in 2014, the most recent year studied. According to national data, there are about 8.4 million motorcycles on American roads in 2014. Motorcyclists were almost 26 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash per vehicle mile traveled, and five times more likely to be injured.
Some Motorcycle Crashes Linked to Driver/Rider Conduct
According to the NHTSA, in 2014, 29 percent of motorcycle riders who were involved in fatal crashes had a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) of 0.08 percent or over (the national definition of drunk driving), compared with 22 percent of passenger car drivers and light truck drivers involved in fatal crashes. This may not actually point to a greater percentage of motorcyclists who drive while drinking since, as noted above, any sort of motorcycle crash is so much more likely than a car crash to produce a fatality. Other factors leading to fatal motorcycle accidents include:
- Speeding – 34 percent of all motorcycle riders involved in a fatal crash were speeding (compared with 21 percent for drivers of passenger cars)
- Lack of licensing – One quarter of motorcycle riders involved in a fatal crash did not have the appropriate licensing in place
- Driving “super sports” motorcycles – Driver death rates was nearly four times higher for “super sports” motorcycles than for drivers of other types of motorcycles. Super sports are lightweight bikes, built for racing. They can reach speeds of up to 190 mph. Modified for street use, they are popular with riders under the age of 30.
Lives Can Change in an Instant
Lives can change in an instant due to a motorcycle or car crash. Victims can be killed or laid up for months while they recuperate. Medical expenses can pile up. Victims often are unable to work. The financial and emotional costs can be staggering. Victims may be able to recover their damages, however. Those damages can even include substantial sums for pain and suffering, depending upon the particular circumstances.
The injury lawyers at the Bottaro Law Firm, LLC have years of experience representing those who suffer from the effects of a motorcycle or auto crash. They also have the resources to investigate the accident and fight to protect your legal rights. We will pursue your case at no cost until we win. We don’t get paid unless we help you recover. Remember that delay can harm your case. Our experienced legal team is available 24/7 for a free consultation. Give us a call at 866-529-9700, or complete our convenient online contact form.