Articles Posted in Motorcycle Accidents

Last week, in a series of articles, The Sentinel reported on the numerous recent motorcycle accidents in the Carlisle, Pa., region that have resulted in serious injuries or death. One story, profiling a local rider, highlighted the vulnerability of motorcyclists, physically and legally.

On an evening in May, a man was riding his motorcycle through Carlisle when he said “a girl that was text messaging” pulled out in front of him. While his bike was nearly destroyed, and sustained about $4,100 in damages, he remarkably emerged from the ordeal without serious injuries. In the initial police report, the man was listed at fault and cited for careless driving regardless of his statement that the other driver involved pulled in front of him while texting. The motorcyclist’s citation has since been discharged following a trial held in June.

In another area crash, which closed highway I-81 in Silver Spring for several hours on July 14, the rider (who was also a friend of the man involved in the previously mentioned story) was not as lucky. Police said the man, who was from Maryland, was hit from behind by a car driven by a 19-year-old girl. The motorcyclist was catapulted from his motorcycle and into the center of the road. He died at the scene as the result of chest injuries.

According to US News and World Report, between 2009 and 2010, motorcycle accident-related fatalities declined by about two percent in the United States. It is the second year in a row that deaths have declined, following a 16 percent decline in 2009 after 11 years of increasing motorcycle accident-related fatalities.

The study was conducted by the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) and is based on preliminary data from the first nine months of 2010 from all 50 states, including the District of Columbia. The study found that 4,376 people were killed in motorcycle accidents during 2010, compared to 4,465 during 2009. There were significant decreases in several states, including a decline of 27 percent in Oregon, a decline of 30 percent in Oklahoma, and a decline of 16 percent in Texas.

However, the report notes there are some areas for concern. The decline in the number of motorcycle accident-related deaths was mainly during the earlier months of 2010, with fatalities increasing by approximately three percent during the last quarter of the year when compared to 2009. Additionally, helmet use among motorcyclists declined, from 67 percent during 2009 to 54 percent during 2010.

A 63-year-old Neshoba County man was fatally injured in a Philadelphia motorcycle accident when he drove off the side of the road. According to The Neshoba Democrat, the fatal Pennsylvania motorcycle crash occurred on northbound Mississippi 21 near Coy United Methodist Church. It is still unclear what made the motorcyclist veer off the road. It was initially believed the man may have suffered a heart attack, causing the fatal motorcycle crash, but an autopsy showed no evidence of a heart attack. He succumbed to severe injuries sustained in the Pennsylvania motorcycle crash.

There are many possible causes of a solo motorcycle accident. When someone is tragically killed in a solo Pennsylvania motorcycle crash, there are steps that a family can take to determine if they are able to pursue financial compensation for their losses. First, it is in the best interest of the family to preserve the vehicle as is for a full investigation. It is possible that a defective part may have caused the fatal motorcycle crash.

A knowledgeable Pennsylvania motorcycle accident lawyer will work with investigators and accident reconstruction experts to examine the vehicle and the location of the accident. Poorly maintained roadways cause many solo motorcycle accidents because motorcycles are vulnerable to dangerous conditions such as wet surfaces, uneven pavement and potholes. Defective brakes, faulty steering and poor tires have also been known to cause catastrophic motorcycle accidents. The manufacturers of faulty parts may also be held liable for the damage their products cause.

A 23-year-old Bridgeton resident was fatally injured in a hit-and-run accident while riding his motorcycle. NBC Philadelphia reports that the Philadelphia motorcycle accident occurred near the intersection of North Laurel and Charles streets the night of October 8. Authorities believe a truck driver caused the crash when he ran a stop sign and hit the motorcyclist. The truck, which had two occupants and a South Carolina license plate, fled the scene of the Pennsylvania motorcycle crash. Authorities are asking for assistance from anyone who may know more about the motorcycle accident or the whereabouts of the two hit-and-run suspects.

Pennsylvania law requires drivers involved in motor vehicle accidents to stop and remain at the scene of the crash. Pennsylvania Vehicle Code Section 3742 (a) states: “The driver of any vehicle involved in an accident resulting in injury or death of any person shall immediately stop the vehicle at the scene of the accident or as close thereto as possible but shall then forthwith return to and in every event shall remain at the scene of the accident until he has fulfilled the requirements of section 3744 (relating to duty to give information and render aid).”

The family of a Pennsylvania auto accident victim may seek compensation for their losses by filing a wrongful death claim against the at-fault or negligent driver. If the hit-and-run driver is not found, compensation may still be available through the uninsured motorist clause of the family’s own auto insurance policy.