Drivers, pedestrians and motorcycle riders all assume certain risks when sharing the roadway. Motorcyclists and pedestrians are especially vulnerable due to their lack of safety features and protections, as compared to those found in motor vehicles.
A collision recently occurred in Louisiana involving a motorcycle and a car. The car was leaving a city subdivision and struck the motorcycle at an intersection. The collision caused the motorcyclist to be ejected from his bike and he was then struck by another vehicle. The motorcyclist was taken to a nearby hospital for treatment, but died from his injuries there. It is unclear if any of the drivers were impaired at the time of the collision.
Motorcycle riders are subjected to additional dangers than those who ride in cars and other motor vehicles. When motorcycles travel at an excessive rate of speed, they have a greater tendency to wobble. This wobbling can create instability and increase the possibility of an accident. Hazards on the roadway such as oil spills, potholes and other debris can have a greater impact on a motorcycle than on a car, potentially causing an accident for a motorcycle rider. The most common danger for motorcyclists, however, is their relatively small size as compared to other vehicles, which makes them difficult for other drivers to see. They may be hidden by other vehicles or adverse weather conditions, especially at intersections where nearly 70 percent of motorcycle accidents with motor vehicles occur. In two-thirds of such accidents, the car violated the right-of-way of the motorcyclist.
Families of motorcyclists who are killed in accidents with motor vehicles may be able to bring a wrongful death action against a driver if they are able to show that the driver was negligent or reckless in causing the collision. A personal injury attorney may assist a family through the aftermath of a fatal motorcycle accident to help them receive the maximum compensation for their loss.
Source: KSLA News 12, “Motorcyclist dies after wreck in Shreveport,” Anastasia Semien, July 18, 2014