Motorcyclists among the most vulnerable on the road

Motorcyclists know they face many unique challenges and dangers while on the road.

With less protection surrounding them than automobile or truck drivers, motorcyclists are more likely to suffer severe and even fatal injuries. In fact, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) data, based on per-vehicle mile traveled, shows that motorcycle operators are 27 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash.

Additionally, the Government Accounting Office (GAO) estimates that motorcycle accidents in the U.S. total approximately $16 billion every year. These costs include providing emergency medical services as well as expenses for surgical, rehabilitative and mental health care.  These estimates also include costs tied to loss of work productivity.

Motorcycle accidents happen every day for many reasons. Unsafe lane changes by motorists, who fail to check their blind spot or use a signal and hit motorcyclists, rank among the Top 10 most common causes of collisions.

Motorcyclists are also injured when drivers open the doors of their parked vehicles in the path of an oncoming motorcycle. Speeding by motorists is another reason.  Additional causes of motorcycle accidents include motorists making left turns or sudden stops, driving under the influence or reckless and inattentive driving.

Tremendous injury – and even death – may occur if any of these happen. It doesn’t matter whether the motorcyclist is on a busy local road with lots of traffic or a major highway with vehicles traveling at high rates of speed.

One unfortunate accident can have negative and permanent consequences.

Our team of attorneys has experience in motorcycle personal injury cases that covers every facet of vehicular law and all issues related to motorcycle operations. We know cases are often not as simple as they may initially present themselves to be, so knowledgeable and skilled representation is important in order to achieve a settlement and, if a settlement isn’t likely, to file a lawsuit and win in court.