Types of Cases
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Other Resources
Motorcycle
Safety Program
From the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA)
The National Highway
Traffic Safety Administration
Provides crash statistics and articles about motorcycle accidents, product
safety, and passenger safety
National
Agenda for Motorcycle Safety
Provides a look at motorcycle safety today, and a blueprint for the future
Insurance Institute
for Highway Safety
Vehicle ratings, safety facts, publications, and more
The Motorcycle Safety Foundation
Provides information on motorcycle rider training, operator licensing, government
relations, rider courses, riding gear, and motorcycle safety
The
Hurt Report: Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of
Countermeasures
An influential 1981 study of factors that cause motorcycle accidents and injuries
The American
Motorcyclist Association
A member organization pursuing, protecting and promoting the interests of motorcycle
enthusiasts
Motorcycle Consumer News
An advertising-free, multi-faceted resource for the motorcycling public
Motorcycle Riders Foundation
A Washington, D.C. based motorcyclist rights organization
Motorcycle Accidents
Topics on this page:
- A Risky Ride: Some Scary Statistics about Motorcycles
- What makes motorcycles dangerous?
- Determining Legal Responsibility for a Motorcycle Accident
- Contact a Skilled Motorcycle Accident Attorney to Discuss Your Case
A Risky Ride: Some Scary Statistics about Motorcycles
Motorcycle riders face special dangers every time they climb onto their bikes:
- Motorcyclists are about 26 times more likely to die in a crash than someone riding in an automobile.
- Motorcyclists are 5 times more likely to be injured in a crash than someone riding in an automobile.
- In two-thirds of motorcycle accidents with another vehicle, the driver of the other vehicle caused the accident by violating the motorcycle’s right of way.
- Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that 4,008 motorcycle deaths and 76,000 motorcycle injuries occurred in accidents on U.S. roads in 2004
- Statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that motorcycle rider deaths have continued a nine-year increase, reaching 4,810 in 2006. Additionally, 88,000 motorcycle injuries occurred on U.S. roads in the same year.
- Motorcycle rider fatalities now account for 11 percent of total fatalities.
What makes motorcycles dangerous?
Some of the typical dangers faced by motorcycle riders on the road include:
- Lack of Safety Features. Motorcyclists and their passengers are not protected by any of the safety features of a car, such as roll cages, seat belts, or airbags.
- Visual Recognition. Motorcycles are hard to see because they are smaller than most other vehicles on the road. As a result, motorcycles can be hidden by other vehicles, or by road and weather conditions. This is one reason why intersections are the place where approximately 70 percent of motorcycle-versus-vehicle collisions occur.
- Speed "Wobble" Accidents. The front end of a motorcycle may become unstable and begin to shake or "wobble," especially at high speeds. This condition could be the result of misalignment of the front and rear tires by the manufacturer of the motorcycle. In such cases, the manufacturer may be held responsible for any injuries or property damage based on product liability principles.
- Road Hazards. Potholes, oil slicks, patches of water or ice, ruts, uneven pavement, railroad tracks, and objects on the road, can present serious dangers to motorcycle riders. Sometimes the dangerous condition of the roadway is the result of a county, state, or other government entity’s failure to build or maintain the road properly. In these cases, special rules and time limits apply to suing the government, making it even more important to consult with an experienced attorney regarding your right to sue.
Determining Legal Responsibility for a Motorcycle Accident
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, it is important to determine if the accident was caused by:
- The negligence or carelessness of another driver
- A governmental entity
- A property owner (premises liability)
- The motorcycle manufacturer (product liability)
- Some other person or agency
Also considered is your own carelessness or negligence (comparative fault), which could reduce the amount of any payment to you.
Contact a Skilled Motorcycle Accident Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, the most important step in protecting your legal rights is to meet with a skilled and experienced attorney to discuss your case.
The attorneys of Kershaw, Cutter & Ratinoff have years of experience successfully litigating vehicle accident cases. We will analyze your potential claim from many angles, looking for violations of traffic laws and DMV regulations, medical treatment issues, time limits for filing your case, insurance issues, product liability, premises liability, and issues of negligent or reckless driving by all of the involved drivers, including you (comparative fault).
To contact an experienced attorney at Kershaw, Cutter & Ratinoff and to get a free case evaluation, please fill out and submit the contact form on this page or call us toll-free at (888) 285-3333.
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