After some late-winter snowstorms, spring is finally at our doorstep. Once the weather warms up, motorcyclists are itching to get out the bikes for the first ride of spring!
Before you get the bike out for a quick test ride, be sure to check the weather gear and don’t skip on the full riding gear. Even with the most careful riders, the odds may not be in your favor when it comes to accident stats.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), you are 28 times more likely to die in a motorcycle accident than in a car accident. In addition to the high fatality rate, motorcycle injury cases are NOT handled in the same way as a car accident injury case. Here are three significant differences between motorcycle accidents vs. car accidents:
Common Causes – How many motorcycle accidents are caused by cars?
While the most common car accidents are caused by distraction, fatigue and alcohol, left-turns accidents (the other vehicles were turning left while the motorcycles were going straight) are most common involving a motorcycle, which accounted for 42% of motorcycle accidents. And the primary reason for that is most drivers are not used to dealing with motorcycles on the road, and they may not “see” a rider in traffic. Click here to read more about Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents.
Injuries
When an accident occurs, the likelihood of injury and the severity level of injuries are extremely high in motorcycle accidents due to the unprotected exposure to the external environment. In multiple-vehicle crashes 98% of motorcycle riders get seriously injured, and in a single vehicle accident 96% of motorists can get hurt. Click here to learn more about the Types of Head Injuries from Motorcycle Accidents. In the event of a motorcycle accident in Colorado, it’s advisable to seek the counsel of a Colorado motorcycle accident lawyer for legal assistance.
Prejudice against Motorcyclists
The key difference between a motorcycle injury case vs. a car injury case is the unfair stereotype that motorcycle riders are inherently reckless. This unfair portrait of motorists adds challenges to injury cases. Insurance companies may use this bias to their advantage by pinning liability on the motorist and reducing or even refusing to compensate damages.
Colorado has a comparative negligence law, which means the law recognizes the possibility that more than one person might be at fault for an accident. If a person is found less than 50% at fault, he or she is still entitled to compensation. Insurance companies often assert that the injured person does bear some of the faults for a motorcycle accident and refuse to pay the victim to that extent.
If an injury case goes on trial, it is crucial for an experienced motorcycle accident lawyer to address the misunderstood stereotype and educate the jury what constitutes a safe driving practice. Due to the high fatality rate and the high likelihood of severe injuries, motorists involved in an accident may need additional long-term compensation for financial loss and medical care.
DENVER MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT ATTORNEY AT FDAZAR
For more than thirty years the motorcycle accident lawyers at Franklin D. Azar & Associates have helped thousands of injured people obtain complete and timely compensation for their losses. Our proven track record and expertise have allowed us to grow into the largest personal-injury law firm in Colorado, with offices in Denver, Aurora, Thornton, Fort Collins, Greeley, Grand Junction, Colorado Springs, and Pueblo. If you’ve been injured in a car, truck, or motorcycle accident, you may be entitled to compensation. Please call the car accident attorneys at FDAzar day or night at 720-372-2824 or contact us here for a free consultation and no-obligation evaluation of your case.
