The latest and complete data gathered by the Department of Transportation is for 2014. In that year, there were 4,295 deadly motorcycle accidents. That means that thousands of families across the United States — including some here in Colorado — who lost loved ones.
When a motorcycle is involved in a serious accident, its rider and passenger, if any, tend to suffer injuries far worse than those in an enclosed vehicle. Even when helmets are worn, there is no guarantee that those on the motorcycle will not suffer head injuries or death. Helmets are only effective in preventing brain injuries about 67 percent of the time and preventing death only about 37 percent of the time. This does not mean they should not be worn, but it does illustrate the violence and trauma someone on a motorcycle suffers in a crash.
Approximately 58 percent of the motorcycle accident deaths in 2014 involved more than one vehicle. Tragically, 92 percent of the motorcyclists who died in 2014 were men. Undoubtedly, someone other than the motorcyclist caused many of those deaths.
In those cases, the families of the deceased might be entitled to restitution through wrongful death claims. As for those who survive, but suffer serious injuries, they could file personal injury claims. Beyond the emotional and physical wounds that come with serious and deadly motorcycle accidents, there are nearly always financial hardships as well. Successfully establishing through the appropriate evidence that another person caused or contributed to the injuries or death could result in an award of damages from a Colorado civil court.
Source: iihs.org, “Fatality Facts“, Accessed on Nov. 28, 2016