Motorcycle accidents are very serious, given the lack of the protection for the person or persons riding the motorcycle in the event of a collision. Consequently, many motorcycle accidents result in very serious injuries that can cause substantial medical expenses, long periods of time missed from work, and sometimes permanent injuries that drastically affect the injured person’s ability to go about their daily life.
Motorcycle Safety
According to the National Highway Institute’s 2012 Traffic Safety Fact Sheet, almost 5,000 motorcyclists were killed during the course of the year. Per vehicle mile traveled in 2012, motorcyclists were more than 26 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in motor vehicle traffic crashes, and 5 times more likely to be injured. But there were also some facts that ring a more hopeful note: helmets are estimated to be 37% effective in preventing fatal injuries to motorcycle riders, and the NHSTA estimated that about 1,700 motorcyclists? lives were saved by the use of helmets in 2012 alone. Many states, including Massachusetts, require all motorcycle riders to wear helmets. However, Rhode Island only requires motorcycle riders aged 20 years and younger to wear a helmet (although all new operators must wear a helmet for one year after getting their license, regardless of age), and Connecticut only requires motorcycle riders 17 years of age and younger to wear a helmet.
Motorcycles have separate brakes for the front and rear wheels, and braking too hard can lock the wheels, possibly causing the bike to overturn. According to the Insurance Information Institute, motorcycles with antilock brake systems (ABS) are 37% less likely to be in a fatal crash than those motorcycles without ABS, and medical claims related to riders? injuries were 34% less frequent than in motorcycles not equipped with ABS.
Super sports motorcycles have a driver death rate nearly 4 times higher than drivers of other types of motorcycles. This is because they have especially powerful engines and light frames, and can reach speeds of up to 190 mph. They are increasingly popular with riders under 30, and result in a disproportionate amount of injuries and fatalities amongst motorcycle riders.
Have You Been Injured in a Motorcyle Accident?
Please be advised, if you are injured and intend to pursue a legal claim, there are some things you can and should do to make prosecuting that claim easier and more effective. First, make sure you seek medical treatment for all of the injuries you have sustained. If you do not seek medical attention for the injuries you sustained as a result of the motorcycle accident, it will be harder for you or your attorney to prove you suffered from those injuries. Along those same lines, be sure to inform your medical providers about the pain you have suffered, and are suffering, as a result of your injuries. By doing so, you will ensure you receive appropriate treatment, and you will also document your injuries, as your medical providers will input your complaints into the medical records. Take digital photographs of any visible injuries you may have, and continue to photograph those injuries as time goes on. And be sure to track down the names and addresses of any witnesses that were present during your accident or may have information about your case. Avoid posting about your accident or injuries on social media, as insurance companies and defense lawyers monitor those sites and will try to use any statements made by you to their advantage. Finally, do not give any statements or speak with anyone from an insurance company; instead, let the attorneys at Keches Law Group advocate on your behalf. In the event you have sustained injuries as a result of a motorcycle accident and believe you have a claim, do not hesitate to consult with the personal injury attorneys at Keches Law Group.
If you or a family member have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, or Connecticut, the attorneys at Keches Law Group can help you determine whether you have a legal claim against the driver who struck you, and we will work for you to get you the compensation you are entitled to. Call us at 617-898-0808, or visit our website and chat with us online.
