Virginia Motorcyclists Suffer Severe Injuries
Motorcycle accidents are some of the most deadly accidents on our roads, and an accident involving two motorcyclists recently made the
news in Virginia. If you ride, you understand the lure of the open road, but you should always make staying safe out there your top priority. Motorcycle accidents happen, and they’re not only very dangerous but also terrifying. When you’re on your bike, after all, there is nothing but your safety gear to come between you and the impact of the pavement. If someone else’s negligence has left you injured in a motorcycle accident, you need
skilled legal counsel.
The Accident
The double motorcycle accident occurred at Route 460 and Courthouse Road in Dinwiddie. The motorcyclists were following each other when they attempted to slow their bikes but instead crashed into a truck. Both bikers were helicoptered to a hospital after sustaining injuries that have been described as “serious to life-threatening.”
The Statistics
The
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) shares several grim motorcycle crash statistics that are reported from 2015:
- The fatality rate for motorcycle accidents rose by 8 percent—over the 2014 rate.
- Motorcyclists made up 14 percent of total traffic fatalities and 4 percent of all traffic injuries.
- Per vehicle miles traveled, motorcyclists are almost 29 times more likely (than are car drivers and occupants) to be fatally injured in traffic accidents.
These statistics don’t lie. When you head out on your bike, make arriving safely and unharmed your focus.
Driver Negligence
When drivers fail to adhere to the rules of the road and are not properly on the lookout for other vehicles in their midst, they endanger everyone with whom they share the road, including motorcyclists. Many kinds of driver negligence can lead to dangerous motorcycle accidents:
- Drivers who are distracted by their smartphones (or by anything else)
- Drivers who are impaired by alcohol, drugs, or exhaustion
- Aggressive drivers who engage in dangerous driving practices, including excessive speeding and tailgating
- Drivers who fail to adhere to traffic signs, signals, and lights
- Drivers who don’t adjust their driving to accommodate for the road’s condition, including the effects of inclement weather
Distracted Drivers
Distracted drivers are everywhere, and they’re so dangerous that it’s important to take a closer look. The
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) defines distracted driving as any driving in which the driver focuses on anything other than driving safely. While distractions come in myriad forms, the king of all distractions is using a smartphone, and with the meteoric rise of smartphone addictions, the threat is real.
Motorcycle accidents are dangerous accidents. If another driver has left you injured in a motorcycle accident, the skilled legal team at
Emroch & Kilduff in Richmond is here to help. Our dedicated motorcycle accident lawyers have years of experience working with injured victims. Your claim matters so please
contact or call us at (804) 358-1568 to schedule an appointment today.
