As many Los Angeles County residents have witnessed firsthand, motorcycle accidents are all too common. From the curves of Mulholland Drive to the Gridlock of the 405, motorcyclists and drivers compete for space on a relatively small amount of roadway in an very slow moving attempt to get to their final destination. Sometimes, this competition leads to serious motorcycles accidents. And in other instances, the automobile drivers involved in the accident drive off, resulting in a hit and run motorcycle accident. To learn more about what to do after being involved in a hit and run accident, please visit our hit and run / uninsured motorist resource center.
Recently, a motorcyclist was struck and killed by a driver who then tried to flee the scene. The suspect, a man in his 30s, was arrested nearby and faces possible charges of vehicular manslaughter and driving under the influence. Sadly, this innocent accident victim is not alone. Indeed, the Department of Transport recently issued its latest findings on motorcycles deaths and related injuries in the U.S. and the report shows that 4,612 motorcyclists died in 2011 in the U.S. According to NHTSA, this is a 2% increase in rider fatalities over 2010.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics
While motorcycles only made up 3% of all registered road vehicles in the U.S., the riders seem to be victims of a staggering number of accidents. Almost half of all fatal motorcycle crashes were the result of a bike colliding with another vehicle. What’s more, over 42% of motorcyclists in 2011 were killed in two vehicle accident and 38% of these were the result of another vehicle turning left in front of the motorcycle that was either going straight, passing or overtaking another vehicle. This was also how the motorcyclist in the attempted hit and run accident mentioned above was killed.
To be clear, not all motorcycle accidents are other drivers’ faults. NHTSA states that of the motorcycle deaths in 2011, 35% were the direct result of the rider speeding. This is a substantially higher death toll than any other vehicle type on the roads – 22% for cars, 19 % for trucks and 8% for large trucks.
Motorcycle Accident Injuries
If you or a loved one was involved in a motorcycle accident, it was likely you suffered some type of physical injury. Motorcycles do not have the steel frame surrounding riders, and acting as a protective shield, that many automobiles do. For this reason, it is common for a motorcyclist to suffer shoulder, wrist, hip, and head injuries when thrown off a bike. If you were injured in a motorcycle accident in the San Fernando Valley, it is crucial that you seek prompt and proper medical attention.
For more information on motorcyclist rights after being involved in an auto accident, contact experienced personal injury lawyer Barry P. Goldberg today.
