Lexington, KY Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
In 2014, U.S. motorists shared the roads and highways with over 8.4 million private and commercial motorcycles. Every day we see motorcyclists driving alongside larger, heavier vehicles. As motorcyclists, we know the dangers of driving a motorcycle, but choose to drive one due to our love for the open road, the wind, and the many conveniences a motorcycle offers. By being extra careful and wearing protective gear, we do our best to protect ourselves from the risks. Despite taking every safety precaution, however, motorcycle accidents still happen and tend to result in serious injuries or even death.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 92,000 motorcyclists were injured in accidents during 2014. 4,586 people died in motorcycle crashes. The fatality rate for motorcyclists in 2014 was six times the fatality rate for drivers of passenger vehicles. There’s simply no denying the fact that motorcyclists are at a greater inherent risk for becoming seriously injured or losing their lives if involved in a collision with a larger vehicle. The sheer size and weight differences don’t lie—not to mention the fact that larger vehicles offer more protection.
Sometimes, collisions between motorcycles and larger cars and trucks are accidental. Other times, however, someone can definitely be found at fault. Drivers of passenger vehicles often get behind the wheel while distracted or drive carelessly or recklessly. They can have a hard time spotting motorcycles and aren’t as watchful as they could be.
When an accident occurs between a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle due to a driver who was distracted, careless, reckless, or otherwise negligent, the motorcyclist will generally be the one to suffer the most. This is the unfortunate truth. If you’ve been seriously injured in a Kentucky motorcycle accident and feel you were not at fault for your injuries, you need to fight for your rights with the help of a Lexington, KY motorcycle accident lawyer.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Crashes involving motorcycles can happen to anyone and occur on all roads, highways, and streets around the United States. Data from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) states that 56% of motorcycle accidents happen on major roads that are not classified as interstates while 30% happen on small, local roads and 14% happen on interstates and freeways.
These statistics make sense when you consider the fact that drivers have an easier time seeing motorcycles approaching when roads are straightforward and open such as while on Lexington’s two local interstates: I-75 and I-64. With fewer roadside obstructions and larger, open spaces, drivers can see motorcycles approaching from farther away and have more time to react.
Motorcycle accidents are caused by a variety of reasons, but some of the most common causes include:
Distracted Driving
Drivers who are distracted by either talking on their cell phone, texting, talking to a passenger, checking their music/GPS, or simply just not paying close attention are a major cause for an astounding number of car accidents in the United States. According to 2014 data, in a single year, 3129 people were killed in accidents caused by distracted driving. Motorcyclists are even more at risk when a distracted driver is behind the wheel due to the fact that the driver is more likely to not see them.
Failure to Check for Motorcyclists
Drivers who are not accustomed to checking for motorcyclists may be unaware of the fact that motorcycles can sometimes hide in the blind spots of a passenger vehicle’s side mirrors. Drivers who are feeling lazy may not properly check for motorcycles when changing lanes or making turns. Both mistakes are forms of negligence and carelessness and can cause crashes.
Alcohol or Substance Abuse
Alcohol and other impairment-causing substances cause a tremendous amount of accidents on our streets and highways every year. A motorcyclist is more at risk to lose their life or become seriously injured in an accident of this nature due to the fact that while the other driver is under the influence, their reaction time is impaired significantly, resulting in an accident which likely happens at a high velocity.
Failure to Properly Yield
Passenger car drivers do not always adhere to the correct right-of-way rules in regards to motorcyclists and may choose to violate right-of-way altogether, promptly causing an accident. When in doubt, it’s always best for drivers to yield to motorcycle riders. Motorcyclists can also, of course, assist drivers by using hand signals whenever possible.
Road Debris and Defects
Unlike larger vehicles, motorcycles can easily flip over, spin out of control, or become dangerously unbalanced if the rider runs over a piece of road debris or through an area where the pavement is broken or defective. Even a simple pothole can prove disastrous in poor lighting conditions, etc., quickly causing an accident.
Taking Legal Action with the Help of a Lexington, KY Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you’ve been seriously injured in a Kentucky motorcycle accident no matter the cause, you should know that legal options are available if you feel that the accident was caused by another’s negligence, carelessness, or reckless driving. Getting legal aid can help you and your family financially recover from the accident as well as speak against any wrongdoings that were committed.
Todd W. Burris, Lexington, KY motorcycle accident lawyer, is more than happy to speak to you on a confidential level regarding your accident and tell you if filing a lawsuit is in your best interest. Our evaluations are 100% free and come with no obligations. Feel free to contact us to learn more.