The Tragic Implications of Motorcycle Accidents and Why They Can Lead to Such Tragic Results

The South Florida Sun Sentinel recently reported that one motorcyclist is lucky to be alive after his speeding bike went out of control on Interstate 75 near U.S. 27, before the vehicle collapsed and slid about 100 feet. The motorcyclist was apparently wearing a helmet but was not wearing protective clothing.

Motorcycle accidents are often traumatic and can, unfortunately, lead to significant property damage and physical injuries. Because the injuries are often preventable, motorcycle accidents and their tragic results are one of the most frustrating types of car accidents. It is therefore important that motorcycle riders and the operators of passenger vehicles understand the risks of the road.

How Dangerous Can Motorcycles Be?

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, over 5,000 motorcyclists were fatally injured in 2016 alone. Sadly, this means that motorcyclist fatalities occurred nearly 28 times more frequently than passenger car occupant fatalities in traffic crashes. The overwhelming majority of these accidents occurred in cloudy or clear conditions. Additionally, 33 percent of all motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes were speeding, compared to just 19 percent for passenger car drivers that same year.

Why Can Motorcycle Accidents Lead to Such Tragic Results?

As an initial matter, it is important to understand that operating a motorcycle requires a different combination of physical and mental skills than those used in driving four-wheel passenger vehicles. Motorcycles are totally open and offer no barrier between the rider and the road or other vehicles. Because of this, motorcyclists and their passengers are more vulnerable to the hazards of weather and road conditions than drivers in closed vehicles. Additionally, motorcycle accidents are more likely to end in serious injuries or death for the motorcyclist, since the rider is not protected from the force of a collision and his or her body takes the full impact of any crash.

When a motorcycle accident happens, the injured rider needs immediate, appropriate medical care, the accident needs to be investigated, and the insurance companies need to be informed. The best way to accomplish this is by obtaining the help of an experienced personal injury attorney.

Have You or a Loved One Been Injured in a Motorcycle Accident?

Motorcyclists are frequently killed or injured in crashes which are not their fault here in the Sunshine State. And in addition to the tragic implications resulting from fatalities, riders who survive a motorcycle accident are likely to be left with serious injuries requiring hospitalization and extensive medical treatment. When a motorcycle crash is caused by negligence, additional steps need to be taken to protect the legal rights of the injured motorcyclist or the family members of someone killed in a motorcycle crash. If you or a loved one have been affected by a motorcycle accident, you should undertake steps as soon as possible to preserve your rights and ensure that you obtain the compensation that you are entitled to. As the  South Florida motorcycle accident attorneys at Leifer & Ramirez, we can ensure that both you are secure both now and in the future. Contact us today to begin.

Resource:

sun-sentinel.com/115301855-132.html

https://www.leiferlaw.com/the-dangers-of-road-rage-for-motorcyclists/