Many Colorado motorcyclists enjoy the freedom that motorcycles offer. However, those who rely on motorcycles as their primary form of transportation or even those who ride motorcycles as a hobby are always at risk for suffering serious injuries should they become involved in a crash with another vehicle.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that in 2013, more than 4,600 motorcyclists died in crashes and approximately 88,000 were injured. In fact, the numbers showed that motorcyclists were 26 times more likely to die in a crash than those who were occupants in passenger vehicles. In addition to costing lives, the Government Accounting Office reported an estimated $16 billion in direct costs attributable to motorcycle accidents in 2010. The costs resulted from emergency services, rehabilitation and medical treatment, lost wages and lost household income.
Motorcyclists are more likely to suffer injuries or even die in a crash due to the unique problems that they face while using state roadways. They are easily obscured by other vehicles to the extent that drivers of passenger vehicles may not know that they are there. Motorcycles can become unstable when traveling at higher speeds. In addition, road hazards that may not necessarily present a danger to other vehicles, including potholes and debris, can cause a motorcyclist to become involved in a crash.
If a motorcyclist is in an accident that was caused by the negligence of the driver of another vehicle, serious injuries could result that could include broken bones, severe damage to internal organs and brain damage. Because the treatment and effects of injuries can be expensive, a personal injury attorney may assist the injured motorcyclist with filing a lawsuit in order to seek compensation for the damages that have been sustained. These could include the cost of medical treatment as well as the loss of income if the motorcyclist is unable to return to work.
Source: Insurance Information Institute, “Motorcycle Crashes”, accessed on Jan. 24, 2015