Motorcycle crash with SUV has predictable result
A motorcycle accident recently in east Louisville resulted in one fatality and one injured person. The motorcyclist was killed when he collided with an SUV on Ballardsville Road near Worthington Place at approximately 10:30 p.m.
The motorcyclist was wearing a helmet at the time. The driver of the SUV was unharmed, although the passenger of the SUV was taken to University Hospital with unknown injuries.
The high price of motorcycle accidents
Motorcycle accidents are much more common, relatively, than car accidents and far more deadly. Motorcyclists make up 14% of all traffic related deaths, with the number of total annual injuries steadily rising to 88,000 in 2016. Sadly, a third of all fatal crashes involving a motorcycle were due to alcohol impairment, while another third occurred when the biker was speeding.
Three-quarters of all biker accidents are due to collisions with another passenger vehicle, and in most of these cases motorists did not see the motorcycle until too late to avoid a collision. Head-on collisions accounted for 75% of all biker collisions.
The likelihood of injury is very high in motorcycle accidents. Single vehicle accidents involving a motorcycle resulted in injury to the motorcyclist in most of the cases.
Medical bills for bikers are also much higher than for injured car drivers, ranging from $6,000 to $30,000. This does not include long-term expenses for head trauma victims, most of whom were not wearing helmets.
The importance of a helmet and protective gear
Using a safety helmet is the most important preventative measure a biker can take to minimize injury in the event of an accident. Head trauma is one of the main causes of death in motorcycle accidents.
Not only do helmeted drivers have fewer neck injuries in a crash, but they stand a much better chance of surviving a crash. Unfortunately, only about 50% of motorcyclists wear a helmet.
Losing a loved one to negligence
Losing a loved one in a preventable accident is devastating. If the accident was due to the other driver’s inattention, reckless driving or elevated alcohol level, it is possible to file a wrongful death claim.
Successful claims can result in judgements that make the other party liable for medical treatment, funeral costs or the projected lifetime lost earnings of the deceased. While this can never erase the pain of loss, financial compensation can help your family find closure.