Best Seattle and New York Motorcycle Accident attorneys

Common motorcycle injuries

Motorcycle accidents have a tendency to result in serious injury. This is largely due to the relative absence of protection afforded a biker. Some common motorcycle injuries include the following:

• Head and neck injury: A motorcyclist who has been in an accident may have concussion, cracked skull and even brain damage. Neck injuries may also be sustained and this is just as delicate as head injuries as it may affect the spinal cord. This may lead to paralysis or possibly, death.
• Road rash: This is also another common motorcycle injury. It involves a cut, scrape, bruise, surface nerve damage, irritations or infections. It is usually caused by friction which will be occur due to the motorcyclist sliding across the road. Road rash can be prevented or its impact can be minimized by wearing protective garments like leather jackets, gloves and knee pads.
• Muscle damage: Muscle damage is dangerous as it may result in permanent paralysis. As a rider, it is important to protect yourself properly by wearing protective gear. You should also seek early medical advice after the accident.
• Limb Injury: It is instinctive to throw one’s arms out to block or minimize impact. But this may cause severe injuries to the arm such as fractures, broken bones or lacerations. Limb injury may also involve strains, sprain, dislocation or fracture of the bones of either of the limbs.

How often do motorcycle accidents occur?

It is a lot more likely for a motorcyclist to get into an accident than a person driving automobiles. This may be attributed to the relatively smaller size, minimal protection and exposure of motorcycles. Also due to the fact that it can often be harder to notice, motorcycles can become a magnet for accidents.  Despite this, there are very many motorcycle owners. According to statistics from the US Department of Transportation, there were 8,410,255 motorcycles registered in the United States by private citizens and commercial organizations in 2011. The number of police reported crashes in 2011 was 5,338,000. This puts the average percentage of motorcycles that gets into crashes at 63%.The fatality rate in 2011 was reported as 54.87% by NHTSA. This increased to 58.63% in 2012. Over 4,950 motorcyclists were killed in 2012. This was a 7% increase from the 4,630 motorcyclists killed in 2011. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that in 2013, there were 4,668 deaths arising from approximately 106,000 motorcycle accidents. The same report states that in 2013, 93% of all motorcycles in fatal crashes were two wheeled motorcycles.

Main causes of motorcycle accidents:

Motorcycle accidents occur due to a plethora of reasons. Ranging from recklessness to simple inattention, the causes of motorcycle accidents include the following:

• Over speeding: This still remains one of the major causes of motorcycle accidents. When a driver over speeds, it becomes harder to stop in an emergency or control the motorcycle.
  
• Unsafe lane changes: There is risk of a collision with another road user if a driver changes lane without giving a signal with his side pointers. This may also occur if the driver fails to check his blind spots before deciding to switch lanes.
• Failure to obey traffic rules: Traffic rules are there to assist every road user. Failure to obey them often leads to chaos. Running red lights, ignoring stop signs and lane rules are some of the factors that will lead to accidents here.  
• Opening a car door into a motorcycle: One of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents. It occurs when a driver opens the door to their car onto the path of an oncoming motorcycle. Often times, when this happens, the driver is either at fault for not using his mirrors or the cyclist is changing lanes.
• Driving Under the Influence (DUI): DUI or drunk driving occurs when a person is operating a motor vehicle with a blood alcohol content higher than the legal limit. In 2011, 9,878 people were victims of drunk drivers according to the 2014 report released by National Highway Traffic Society Administration. This implies that someone is injured in a drunk driving incident every 120 seconds.
• Dangerous road conditions: Poor or dangerous road conditions also contribute to the number of cycling accidents recorded every year. Sharp curves, busy intersections, uneven surfaces or road obstacles may cause accidents. Weather conditions such as snow rain fog etc.
  
• Motorcycle defects: Defective motorcycle parts also contribute to motorcycle accidents thereby putting the lives of the cyclist and the third party road user at risk. Some can be forestalled through adequate maintenance and others cannot. If the accident happens as a result of a defective or poorly designed motorcycle part, the manufacturer can be held liable for injuries or deaths arising as a result.

What are the odds of dying in a motorcycle accident?

The fatality rate of motorcycle accidents was pegged by the NHTSA at 58.63% in 2012. Specifically, 4,957 fatalities were recorded. This was a 7% increase from the 4,630 motorcyclists killed in 2011.

Are you more likely to die in a car or motorcycle accident?

Compared to motorists, cyclists have smaller chance of surviving an accident.  This is because motorcycles are open and vulnerable than closed vehicles. They are also less visible compared to cars on the road especially when there is a fog or when it is dark. The NHTSA’s 2012 report stated that per vehicle mile travelled, motorcyclists were more than 26% more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a traffic crash.

Risk factors for motorcycle accidents

The risk factors for individuals in motorcycle accidents include the following:

“The alcohol effect”

According to the NHTSA, 27% of riders who had fatal motorcycling accidents had a blood alcohol concentration of over 0.08 while operating a motorcycle. The highest incidence of crash fatalities for reasons of age and alcohol was recorded to be middle aged individuals between the ages of 40 and 44.

Age

The NHTSA report also shows that the average age of cyclists (including motorcyclists) killed in traffic crashes was 45. A steady increase was recorded with 41 being the average age in 2006.

Gender

The majority of bikers killed or injured in 2015 with 85% of those who were killed are males.

Contact the best motorcycle accident attorneys in Seattle and New York:

If you have been involved in a Seattle or New York motorcycle accident, you stand the best chance of a favorable outcome with the most experienced motorcycle accident lawyers. In order to assert your rights, you will need a strong diligent advocate that will be on your side guiding you every step of the way. At Oshan and Associates, we help victims of motorcycle accidents. Our lawyers at Oshan and Associates are skilled at personal injury law and have the experience to provide thorough representation for you. We are known for aggressively fighting our clients’ cases and will not relent until you obtain the compensation you deserve. Take advantage of our free no-obligation consultation to start a conversation with us today. Call us on 206-335-3880 to book your consultation now