Top Causes of Motorcycle Accident Fatalities
Motorcycle accidents are known to be some of the most dangerous collisions on the road. Motorcycles do not offer the protection and safety features provided by most four-wheel vehicles, so accident injuries tend to be catastrophic. Many motorcycle accidents even result in death.
Motorcycle accident attorneys at the Quick Law Group, PLLC can help surviving family members in the Bellevue, WA, area seek financial compensation if a loved one is killed in a motorcycle accident that is not their fault.
Of course, preventing serious injuries is ideal. Here, we go over the top causes of motorcycle accident fatalities so that motorcyclists are more aware of the risks they face and how they may best be able to protect themselves.
Head Injuries
Head injuries are the greatest danger for motorcyclists. When a motorcycle accident occurs, there is nothing to protect the rider from the impact of the crash. Often, the motorcyclist is thrown from the bike and comes into direct contact with the road or surrounding vehicles. Striking the head at such a high impact can be deadly, which is why motorcycle helmets are so important.
The CDC reports that helmets reduce the risk of motorcycle accident fatalities by 37 percent, and that helmets are estimated to have saved 1,859 lives in 2016. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety further reports that 36 percent of drivers killed in motorcycle accidents in 2018 were not wearing helmets. Among motorcycle passengers, the number was even higher, with 46 percent of motorcycle passengers killed neglecting to wear a helmet.
Speeding
Speeding is another huge risk for motorcyclists. Speeding increases the chance of any type of accident, because it makes it more difficult to control a vehicle, and limits a driver’s time to react to obstacles and other dangers. However, speeding is especially dangerous for motorcyclists. The faster that a vehicle is traveling at the time of a collision, the greater the impact of the accident.
Since motorcycles do not have safety equipment, such as seatbelts or airbags, a high impact accident can be fatal. By maintaining a safe speed, our Bellevue clients can decrease the risk of an accident, and minimize damages should an accident occur.
Drunk Driving
Drunk driving is a leading cause of car accidents, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety has found that it is a big factor in fatal motorcycle accidents as well. Based on data reported for 2018, 26 percent of fatally injured motorcycle drivers were found to have a blood alcohol content of .08 or higher.
Drunk driving was especially prevalent in fatal single-vehicle motorcycle crashes; 39 percent of motorcycle drivers who were killed in an accident that did not involve other vehicles were found to have a BAC of .08 or above. These findings should emphasize to our Bellevue clients the importance of refraining from alcohol use when operating a motor vehicle.
Learn More
If you or a loved one has been injured or killed in a motorcycle accident, the attorneys at the Quick Law Group, PLLC can answer any questions you may have about your right to financial compensation. Contact us at your earliest convenience, or call (425) 576-8150, to schedule a free legal consultation.
