What to know about motorcycle accidents
Louisiana residents may be aware of the dangers of riding a motorcycle. According to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report, there were 4,976 deaths caused by motorcycle crashes in 2015. This was an 8.3 percent increase from 2014. Although motorcycle fatalities were up in 2015 compared to 2014, there was a 4.3 percent decrease in the number of motorcycle injuries with a total of 88,000 in 2015.
In 2015, there were 8.6 million motorcycles on the road, which was up from 8 million in 2009. In that same year, motorcyclists were 29 times more likely than occupants in a car to die in a crash per mile traveled. There were also five times more likely to be injured in a a crash per mile traveled. When looked at per the number of registered vehicles, motorcyclists were far more likely to die in a crash compared to someone in a car.
Of those who were killed while riding a motorcycle in 2015, 40 percent were not wearing their helmets. In addition to the risk of injury or death while riding, riders should also be on guard against motorcycle theft. Theft tends to increase during warmer months, and the number of thefts was 6 percent higher in 2015 compared to 2014.
Many motorcycle accidents are the fault of other motorists. When a cyclist is injured in a collision caused by a speeding, impaired or distracted driver, an attorney could be of assistance in seeking compensation for the medical expenses and other losses that have been incurred.
Tags: Motorcycle Accidents
