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Motorcycle Accident Injuries and Fatalities

The average car, truck or SUV driver has the luxury of any number of safety devices protecting them when they are out on the road. Seat restraint systems, airbags, and automatic communication with an emergency operator come as standard features for several makes and models of cars. Passenger cars are tested vigorously with teams of engineers and crash test dummies before they are even allowed to be put on the assembly line. For auto manufacturers, safety has truly become a priority.

Those of us who choose to ride motorcycles have far less options. We don’t have seatbelts, or anything to keep us on our bikes in the event of an accident. And as a result, we put a far greater premium on safety than people who drive cars. The great majority of us do all the right things; we obey the helmet laws and wear protective clothing, and we’re constantly alert to our surroundings and other drivers. We maintain our distances. We stay within the speed limit and make sure that our paths are clear before we switch lanes. We even keep our headlight on in broad daylight. Unfortunately, others don’t exercise the same caution, and the results can be catastrophic.

Virginia motorcyclists feel the pressure more than most. According to a recent study by Progressive Insurance, the Norfolk/Virginia Beach area is the second most dangerous place for motorcyclists in America. Our city has miles of highways filled with thousands of tourists who are making their way to our beaches. There are plenty of cases where distracted drivers have crashed into a motorcyclist that was doing everything right. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 51% of all motorcycles involved in fatal crashes collided with another vehicle in motion.

Despite all these alarming statistics, it’s safe to say that motorcycle use isn’t going to decline. With gas prices going up on an almost weekly basis, more and more drivers are switching to motorcycles to simply save money on gas and maintenance. With more motorcyclists on the road, the odds of getting into a serious and life changing accident increase exponentially.

Insurance companies are well aware of the inherent dangers of riding a motorcycle. This is why your premiums are so high, even if you have a flawless record of safe riding. While the insurers have no issues with accepting monthly premiums, they have a tendency to drag their feet when it comes to paying out claims. Considering that most motorcycle accidents involve medical treatment, it’s important to have someone on your side that is familiar with insurance company stalling tactics so you can get your medical bills paid promptly. You’ll also need counsel on your side when it comes to recovering lost wages or getting your bike repaired.

If the accident resulted in a brain, spinal cord, or other serious debilitating injury, you can bet that the insurance companies will do all they can to avoid accepting responsibility, even if you weren’t at fault. Tactics such as digging into your background, offering lowball settlements after long delays, and painting you as a careless and thrill-seeking biker are just some of the methods that insurers use to keep from living up to their obligations.

The first step towards getting your expenses paid and your life back on track is to take prompt action. If you or a loved on has been involved in a motorcycle accident due to the carelessness of another driver, obtaining the services of experienced legal counsel as soon as possible can be the difference between waiting years for inadequate compensation and waiting months for a settlement that is reasonable and fair.

Library for Motorcycle Accident Injuries and Fatalities:

• Virginia Crash Statistics: Bad News for Motorcyclists   
  Description: The crash fatality numbers for Virginia have gone up slightly, but motorcycle accidents are taking up a significant percentage.

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