Many people love to ride their motorcycles for fun and relaxation. However, motorcyclists are highly vulnerable to severe injuries and death in accidents. Motorcycles comprise only three percent of registered vehicles in the country but have more than their share of severe and fatal accidents.
This article will teach you about motorcycle accident fatalities and related information. You should speak to a Houston motorcycle accident attorney if another driver injured you recently. They can obtain compensation for your losses, including medical expenses, lost income, and pain and suffering.
You can also be entitled to similar compensation if your loved one died in a motorcycle accident by another person's negligence.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
Motorcycles offer no protection in accidents and are less stable than cars, so there are more accidents with serious injuries and fatalities. The US government estimates that the number of deaths on motorcycles was 24 times higher than fatalities in cars. However, many grieving families don't know they can file a wrongful death lawsuit if another driver caused their relative's death.
The data shows that motorcyclists have an approximately 80 percent fatality rate in crashes, while car drivers and passengers have only a 20 percent fatality rate.
The government also reported that 6,220 motorcyclists were killed in accidents in recent year. Motorcycle fatalities were 15 percent of all auto accident deaths in that same year. Fatalities on motorcycles tripled over a recent 25 years period of time.
More motorcycle crash statistics to know include:
- In a recent year, 6,218 motorcyclists were killed in fatal accidents.
- The top cause of death in motorcycle accidents is traumatic brain injury (TBI).
- Approximately 43 percent of deadly motorcycle crashes involve drugs or alcohol. You should talk to a motorcycle accident attorney if you suspect a drunk driver injured you on your bike.
- In the last decade, the death rate for motorcyclists is six times higher than that for car passengers.
- In the last years, 52 percent of deaths on motorcycles were on major roads, not interstates and highways.
- At least 60 percent of motorcycle deaths occur in urban areas, and about 40 percent occur in rural areas.
- Most motorcycle accident deaths occur on weekends after six pm.
You should retain a motorcycle accident lawyer if you suffered an injury or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident. The liable party can owe you compensation for medical and funeral bills, lost income, pain and suffering, mental anguish, and more.
What Causes Fatal Motorcycle Accidents?
Most motorcycle accidents are severe, and many are fatal. Statistics show that most motorcycle accidents happen because of another driver's negligence. Car and truck drivers are often at fault for failure to yield. Drivers are usually not looking for motorcycles on the road and can miss them in critical situations. Also, many car drivers simply do not know Texas motorcycle laws, and can also incorrectly judge the speed and distance of motorcycles on the road.
Below are some of the reasons that severe and fatal motorcycle accidents happen:
Car Doors
Motorcyclists usually have no time to avoid a crash with an open car door. In this case, a severe accident is generally inevitable. You can be entitled to compensation in a civil lawsuit if a driver opens a car door into your or your loved one's motorcycle.
Speeding
The severity of any motorcycle crash with a car is worse with speed. Far too many car drivers speed around motorcyclists, and the collision can be catastrophic. If your loved one dies in a speeding crash, you should talk to a wrongful death attorney. The at-fault driver's insurance provider will try to underpay you, but a skilled wrongful death attorney will demand maximum compensation.
Car drivers cause many serious and fatal motorcycle accidents because of drug and alcohol use. Talk to a motorcycle crash lawyer if you suspect the liable driver was under the influence. Your attorney can check if the driver was on drugs or intoxicated. This can lead to criminal charges separate from any civil case you file.
Left Turns
One of the problems that motorcyclists face is they are less visible to other vehicles. The small and narrow profile of motorcycles may make them harder to see. For example, a car driver turning left may not see an oncoming motorcycle, causing a severe collision.
However, drivers have a duty of care to drive safely and not cause crashes. They are supposed to look carefully for other vehicles, including motorcycles, when making a left turn. They may be responsible for a left turn crash and owe you compensation in a lawsuit.
Lane Changes
Car drivers must check their blind spots carefully when changing lanes, but motorcycles are harder to see. This can cause a lane-changing accident that can cause severe injuries or death. The car driver is likely liable for any accident, and motorcyclists are commonly accused of being partly to blame, even when they are killed. A motorcycle accident attorney can protect the rights of the victim and prove fault.
Rear-End Crashes
You are enjoying your motorcycle ride and stop at a red light. Suddenly, an SUV slams into the back of your bike. Rear-end crashes with motorcycles are common, usually because of inattention or a loss of vehicle control. Unfortunately, a 'minor' rear-end accident with a bike can be severe or fatal for the rider.
Motorcyclists may sometimes avoid rear-end crashes by pulling onto the shoulder when they stop, especially in high-speed situations. The motorcyclist can return to the traffic lane once the light turns green.
Mechanical Failures
A motorcycle's mechanical failure can sometimes trigger a serious or fatal accident. For example, a wheel could separate from the bike, or there could be a problem with the brake pads or rotors.
Have a personal injury attorney review your case if you suspect a product defect contributed to you or your loved one's motorcycle accident. They can file a product liability lawsuit against the liable company and demand compensation for your economic and non-economic damages.
As noted earlier, many motorcycle accidents are fatal, but the most common motorcycle crash injuries are:
- Brain injuries
- Spinal cord injuries
- Amputations
- Internal organ injuries
- Broken bones
Your attorney will learn what your injuries and prognosis are by working with your medical team. This will ensure that they demand fair compensation from the insurance company for your losses.
Compensation In Motorcycle Accident Claims
Compensation in a motorcycle accident depends on many factors. If you suffered an injury in a motorcycle crash, you can receive compensation for the following:
- Medical bills: You should be compensated for all of your current and future medical expenses related to the crash.
- Lost earnings: You can receive compensation for current and future lost earnings, including loss of earning capacity for a catastrophic injury, such as amputation, spinal cord injury, brain injury, or burns.
- Pain and suffering: This compensation can be awarded for your physical discomfort related to the injuries and treatments.
If your loved one was killed in a motorcycle accident, you can receive the following compensation:
- Medical and funeral bills: You will receive payment for funeral costs and any leftover medical bills related to treatment before they pass.
- The deceased's pain and suffering: You can receive compensation if your loved one endured serious pain and suffering before their death.
- Mental anguish: You should be compensated for your mental and emotional anguish for your loved one's death.
- Lost income: You can receive lost income compensation if your loved one was an income earner in your household. The compensation depends on their education, income, and number of work years left.
- Loss of services: This compensation is for losing your loved one's care, support, and services, such as taking care of the home or children.
Do You Have A Valid Motorcycle Accident Case?
The best way to know if you have a strong motorcycle crash case is to talk to an experienced personal injury attorney. They will offer a free legal consultation to understand the crash circumstances. You can be entitled to compensation if another person's negligence caused your injuries or your loved one's death in a motorcycle accident.
Your attorney may also provide an approximate case value based on the factors below. However, your case can be worth more or less, depending on the circumstances of the accident and other factors:
- Injury severity: A serious motorcycle accident injury is usually worth more than a minor one. For example, a TBI will have a higher value than a broken arm or leg.
- Whether anyone died: You can be entitled to more compensation if your loved one died in a motorcycle accident. The case value can be higher if the person earned a high income and had an extensive education.
- Witness statements: The statements of eyewitnesses can be a major factor in the value of your case. Their statements can make it clear that the other party was 100 percent at fault, leading to more compensation.
- Lost earnings: You can receive more in a claim if you or your loved one had a higher income. For example, if your husband died and he earned $150,000 per year, you can receive more wrongful death compensation than if he earned $50,000 per year.
- Pain and suffering: Unfortunately, some motorcycle accident victims endure more pain and suffering. If your loved one died in the accident, you can get more money in your claim if they endured extensive pain and suffering in the hospital before passing away.
Talk to a motorcycle accident attorney today for more information on your potential case value.
Common Motorcycle Accident Myths
There are many misconceptions about motorcycle accidents to know if you lose a loved one in an accident by another driver:
Most Motorcycle Crashes Involve Speeding
No, most motorcyclists obey speed limits; studies show that most motorcycle crashes happen at less than 45 MPH. Unfortunately, most motorcycle crashes involving severe injury or death are because of car or truck driver error, including failure to yield. If that happens, you should speak to a motorcycle accident lawyer immediately.
Also, many motorcycle crashes happen because the other driver was distracted by a cell phone or something else.
Fatal Motorcycle Crashes Happen In Bad Weather
Most fatal motorcycle crashes happen in clear and dry conditions. The National Safety Council estimated in a recent year, that 82 percent of fatal motorcycle crashes occurred in good weather. Many fatal accidents happen in clear and dry conditions because another driver violates their duty of care and causes a severe accident.
You Can't Get Compensation If You Weren't Wearing A Helmet
A motorcycle helmet can indeed prevent some serious injuries in crashes. However, many states don't require wearing them on a motorcycle. You can still receive compensation in a lawsuit if you or a loved one were not wearing a helmet.
Your motorcycle accident attorney can pursue compensation for your or your loved one's losses regardless of whether a helmet was worn. The attorney will need to show that another driver violated their duty of care and caused the accident and resulting injuries or death.
A Motorcycle Accident Attorney Is Too Expensive
Imagine if you lost your loved one in a motorcycle crash when another driver hit them on the highway. You may think hiring a motorcycle accident attorney is too expensive, especially with a loss of income.
The reality is that motorcycle crash attorneys work on a contingency basis. This means the attorney is paid a percentage of your settlement or jury award. So, if you get a $500,000 wrongful death settlement, your attorney can get approximately 33 percent to 40 percent of that amount. Contingency fees mean anyone who suffered a significant loss in an accident can receive legal assistance, regardless of their income.
Speak To A Motorcycle Accident Attorney Now
Were you injured on a motorcycle by another party? Severe injuries, medical bills, and being out of work may make you wonder what to do. A motorcycle accident lawyer can help today. You can receive compensation for your losses, including medical expenses and lost income. Call a motorcycle accident lawyer in your city today.