What Caused the Motorcycle Accident?
Injuries from a motorcycle accident are more likely to be serious because of the exposure motorcycle drivers and their passengers have. Even with a helmet and other protective gear, injuries can be catastrophic. It is important to have a lawyer who knows how to investigate accident causes and liability.
At the Phoenix, Arizona law firm of Snyder & Wenner, P.C., our personal injury attorneys have the experience, knowledge, and resources to handle motorcycle accidents that include catastrophic injuries (head injury, burn injuries, multiple broken bones, spinal cord injury, road rash) and wrongful death.
Deaths and Injuries Are Increasing in Motorcycle Accidents
While traffic safety is generally increasing in the U.S., motorcycle accidents are an unfortunate exception. In 2007, 5,154 people were killed in bike crash accidents and 103,000 were injured. (In 1997, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, those numbers were, respectively, 2,116 and 53,000.) According to the same organization, in 2013, motorcyclists were approximately 26 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash per vehicle mile traveled and 5 times more likely to be injured.
Important, But Troubling Statistics
In 2014:
- 4,586 people died in motorcycle crashes
- 92,000 motorcyclists were injured in a motorcycle accident
Head injury from a motorcycle accident is the leading cause of death, and wearing a helmet can reduce the likelihood of a crash fatality by 37%.
Why is this happening? Other drivers often report not seeing motorcyclists. Car and truck drivers fail to yield the right of way or do not understand that motorcycles have the same rights to the road. Whatever the cause, our law firm employs investigators who can investigate the motorcycle accident scene, reconstruct the accident, and determine the cause.
What Are the Most Common Causes of a Motorcycle Accident?
The cause of a motorcycle accident can be everything from bad weather to unsafe car drivers. The most common causes, however, are:
- Cars making left-hand turns — this accounts for approximately 42% of all motorcycle accidents
- Lane splitting
- Large vehicles, such as trucks and commercial vehicles, not keeping a lookout for motorcyclists
- Poor visibility
- Weather conditions
Because the cause of a motorcycle accident is so variable, it is important to hire an attorney that is experienced in this type of case. Motorcycle accident cases are not the same as the typical car accident, and cannot be investigated and litigated the same way. Catastrophic injuries require extensive compensation.
Serious injuries can require months, years, even a lifetime of medical treatment. Our trial lawyers employ medical and economics experts to determine the future needs of injured victims including financial losses caused by disability.
Our motorcycle accident attorneys have many years of experience helping victims and their families recover both physically and financially after serious accidents. Your initial consultation at the Snyder & Wenner, P.C. law firm is free. Tell us about your accident and we will do a case evaluation. We serve personal injury clients throughout Arizona and nationwide.
With over offices in Phoenix, Avondale, Tucson & Scottsdale, our team of personal injury attorneys can help you with your serious injury or wrongful death case.
