Anyone who rides motorcycles regularly in Louisiana knows that it can be unsafe. But the scope of the risks that riders of the two- and three-wheeled vehicles face is worth exploring. The information certainly will be illuminating for the drivers of large vehicles which make up the lion’s share of traffic on routes around Lake Charles. Some riders might find some of the nuggets useful, too.
It needs to be stressed from the outset that motorcycle riders have as much right to the road as any other driver. And if they should fall victim to serious or fatal injury because of another person’s negligence, they should know they have the same right to seek just compensation and remedy for damages suffered.
To begin with, here are some general statistics courtesy of the FindLaw library. In about 66 percent of cases, accidents involving motorcycles and other vehicles are the result of the other driver failing to yield the right of way to the cyclist. The risk of a motorcyclist dying in a crash is 26 times higher than for someone in a car.
Research has consistently shown that one of the biggest reasons motorcyclists face greater risks is because other drivers don’t see them. Because of their smaller size, they are easier to miss. It’s also easy for them to be obscured by bigger vehicles.
And accidents due to faulty parts on motorcycles are no less common with motorcycles as with larger vehicles. Indeed, two-wheeled vehicles can be more susceptible to instability accidents because of their design and if that design is faulty or the manufacturer hasn’t properly aligned front and rear wheels, a product liability claim might be warranted.
In any event, when accidents happen victims should first seek proper medical care. But a consultation with an experienced motorcycle accident attorney should be high on the list of priorities.
