New Brunswick Motorcycle Accident Lawyers: Recent Accident Highlights Motorcycle Risks
Two local families are breathing a sigh of relief following a motorcycle accident this summer in Linden, New Jersey. According to police, a 26-year-old Woodbridge man lost control of his motorcycle, which then collided with a Mercedes-Benz driven by a 29-year-old Roselle woman. The driver of the motorcycle suffered abrasions and bruises, while the driver of the Mercedes and her newborn baby were uninjured. The ending could have easily been far worse.
An estimated 4,125 motorcyclists lost their lives in 2014 according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), making motorcycles 27 times more deadly than motor vehicles for every mile traveled. The majority of motorcyclists who perish in a crash will suffer a severe head injury. Although only 19 states and the District of Columbia require a motorcycle rider to wear a helmet, 67 percent of all brain injuries incurred during a motorcycle accident could be prevented with helmet use. Additionally, the IIHS maintains that helmets are 37 percent effective in preventing fatal motorcycle accidents.
Data from the IIHS reveals other risk factors for motorcyclists. Most fatal motorcycle accidents occur during the summer months, when weather is most agreeable for a ride. Additionally, 33 percent of fatal motorcycle accidents will involve speeding, while another 30 percent will involve alcohol or drug use according to government officials.
Motor Vehicles Are Not Always Safer
Simply because a motorcyclist is vulnerable does not mean that drivers and passengers in motor vehicles are not also at risk during a motorcycle accident, however. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 2,182 fatal crashes occurred between a motorcycle and another vehicle in 2013. In nearly half of those motorcycle accidents, the vehicle which was stricken turned left while the motorcycle continued to go straight. Drivers of motor vehicles could lessen their risk of suffering a side-impact collision with a motorcyclist by yielding until a motorcycle has passed.
New Brunswick Motorcycle Accident Lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr are Fierce Advocates for Victims of Motorcycle Accidents
When a reckless motorcyclist causes an accident which leaves innocent motorists injured, they can be held legally accountable for their actions. Conversely, motorists have a duty to exercise reasonable care when operating their motor vehicle in the vicinity of a motorcycle. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, the New Brunswick personal lawyers at the Law Offices of Harold J. Gerr will aggressively pursue your case in court. Contact us today by calling 732-537-8570 or toll free at 877-249-4600, or complete our online form.
