In a recent Center for Disease Control and Prevention study, during the years of 2001 to 2008, more than 43,000 motorcyclists were killed and an estimated 1,222,000 persons have been treated in emergency rooms for non-fatal motorcycle related injuries. The highest death and injury rates were among 20-24 year olds. Many of these younger adults are students who drive motorcycles or mopeds from home to school in order to save money and gas. It is especially devastating when younger people are injured because the serious nature of a motorcycle accident may affect the rest of their lives.
With more people in the United States driving motorcycles, motorcycle deaths and injuries will continue to rise. The smaller nature of the motorcycle creates dangerous situations. There are many causes of motorcycle accidents such as human error and weather conditions. Rain on a hot summer day will create slick roads for motorcycles causing it to be harder to stay in control of the bike. Strong winds and summer thunderstorms will lead to dangerous driving conditions and unfortunate collisions. Human error is certainly the cause of most motorcycle accidents. Bigger trucks and vehicles have a hard time seeing the motorcycle while driving and switching lanes. Accidents mostly occur at the entry and exit of on ramps because the smaller motorcycles are hard to see when bigger vehicles are turning. This is especially true in bad weather conditions. The higher speed and quicker nature of the motorcycle lead to bad collisions involving horrible injuries, paralysis, and even death. Many accidents also occur when a car tailgates a motorcycle thinking they have more time to stop then they really do. It is important for a biker to be aware of his surroundings and to drive in a safe manner.
There are ways for a motorcycle driver to protect against injuries and even worse. Louisiana law mandates that the driver of a motorcycle must wear a helmet and eye protection. No person shall operate a motorcycle unless the person is wearing a safety helmet that meets all the safety specifications for that type of motorcycle. Eye protection must also be worn while operating the motorcycle that is specifically approved and has met all safety recommendations. Louisiana has passed helmet and eye protection laws to protect people from unnecessary injuries in a motorcycle accident. It has been proven that these safety precautions save lives. Before you get on your bike for a joy ride or trip to the office make sure your goggles and helmet are up to safety standards and are properly fitted. There are other safety tips that bikers can follow to protect against unwarranted accidents as well. These include never riding your motorcycle after drinking alcohol, wearing protective clothing that provides some level of injury protection, avoiding tailgating, and maintaining a safe speed and exercising caution when traveling over wet surfaces or gravel.
Injuries received in a motorcycle accident tend to be worse than auto accidents due to the small nature and vulnerability of the bikes. Injuries can range from minor cuts and bruises to severe head and spinal trauma. Road rash is a type of injury that occurs very frequently in motorcycle accidents. Road rash is mild to severe skin abrasion resulting from a fall on the bike that involves sliding on a hard surface such as the interstate.
The Cardone Law Firm represents clients in motorcycle accidents in the entire state of Louisiana.
Because a motorcycle accident can create multiple issues and significant losses, an injured party should hire an experienced New Orleans attorney who not only handles such accidents with injured parties, but also has the resources necessary to provide for a victim’s medical needs as well as medical and litigation experts. Cliff Cardone has practiced law over 40 years and has primarily handled personal-injury matters. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, Phone Cardone at 1-504-522-3333 for a free in person consultation. He is direct, insightful, proactive, and passionate about his client’s cases.