In the often congested flow of traffic on today’s streets and highways, motorcycle riders are at a greater risk of injury than those who are driving cars, trucks, or other four-wheeled vehicles. There are many ways that negligent action by drivers can lead to serious accidents in which those on motorcycles may experience severe harm and injury.
National statistics show that thousands of motorcycle riders die each year in collision accidents, and many thousands more experience injuries. In Indiana, fatal collisions involving motorcycles rose nearly 25 percent from 2011 to 2012.
How Negligent Motorists Endanger Motorcycle Riders
Although good safety gear and other precautions can lower the risk of motorcycle accidents for bikers, simple driver negligence or inattention remains one of the core causes of the majority of motorcycle accidents. Motorists often fail to see motorcycles on the road, which causes tragic situations.
A key element in an Indiana car accident case involving a motorcycle is whether a driver acted carelessly or without regard for the welfare of others on the road. All too often these accidents result in serious personal injuries or, in some instances, wrongful death of a loved one.
National law enforcement is pursuing initiatives to make cell phone use by drivers a more punishable offense. The use of handheld cell phones for talking and texting creates a unique road hazard because motorists’ are distracted, and this momentary lapse of attention creates blind spots to other areas of the road.
Other kinds of driver negligence, such as distracted driving, reckless driving, and driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs cause motorcycle accidents when car or truck drivers don’t actively observe the road for smaller vehicles.
Experts have also referred to the role of emotions in drivers, such as road rage, as contributing to car-motorcycle accident rates. Road rage may also contribute to other aggressive driving behavior, such as speeding, which accounted for 22 percent of fatal collisions in Indiana in 2012.
We Help Protect the Rights of Motorcycle Riders
At Sevenish Law Firm, we have represented Indiana motorcycle riders injured in accidents for years. Our professional motorcycle accident attorneys know how to best document and pursue the facts of a car accident case involving a motorcycle and how to use Indiana law and case precedent to the advantage of our clients.
Contact us at Sevenish Law Firm, today so that you can seek the compensation to which you’re entitled under the law.