When Tiffanie Bell headed out on her motorcycle on one September evening in Jackson, she surely did not know that the ride would be her last. Tiffanie lost her life that night after another vehicle came dangerously close, leading Bell to lose control of her bike. The vehicle involved was gone by the time emergency services arrived. The incident is one of far too many leading to serious injuries or deaths here in Mississippi. If you or a loved one has suffered a similar fate, the efforts of a local personal injury /wrongful death attorney could be of help.
Causes of Crashes
The sad fact is, eight in ten motorcyclists who are involved in a collision experience injuries or death. Simply put, a motorcycle provides zero protection in the event of a crash. When the rider is ejected, he or she will more than likely experience a violent clash with the road or objects in the area. So what, exactly, leads to motorcycle collisions? There are a number of contributing factors in most collisions, which might include:
- Visibility (or lack thereof): The majority of motorcycle accidents occur in intersections. While assigning blame to motorists may be easy, living with the consequences of such a collision is not. Roughly one-third of these accidents involve motorists who turn into the path of a motorcycle that is going straight. In intersections, more than any other place, motorcyclists must be alert to signs that drivers may not be aware of their presence.
- Human Error: All too often, motorists fail to pay attention to motorcycles, or simply make driving errors that put cyclists at risk. Motorcyclists, too, may be partly responsible for their own demise in some cases. Having a bike that is too large and unwieldy, lacking the experience or training to maneuver safely, driving recklessly, and exceeding speed limits can all play into unfortunate outcomes. Failing to drive defensively, allowing oneself to be distracted, or making assumptions about what other motorists will do can also be dangerous for motorcyclists.
- Alcohol: More than four in ten motorcycle accidents that have fatalities involve alcohol use by one or both drivers. Clearly, coordination, attentiveness, and skill are all required when navigating on the road at high speeds. Decreasing one’s ability to safely operate a motorcycle or other motorized vehicle is never a good bet. And in a collision involving a motorcycle and a larger vehicle, it is clear who will get the short end of the stick.
- Inclement Weather: Wet or icy roads limit a vehicle’s traction, making it particularly dangerous for motorcycles. Whether the cyclist loses control or another vehicle on the roadway does, motorcyclists are at greater risk of experiencing injuries than drivers or passengers in cars or trucks.
Following an Accident
Have you or a family member been injured or killed in a motorcycle collision? If the accident was caused by another driver’s recklessness or negligence, you may be entitled to damages. To discuss the possibilities, schedule a free, confidential consultation with the Jackson motorcycle accident attorneys at the law firm of Derek L. Hall, PC. We’ll fight aggressively to get you the settlement you deserve.
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