It is common knowledge that car accidents can lead to serious consequences including property damage, injury and even death. What you may not know is that motorcycle accidents are even more dangerous for motorcyclists than for other drivers.
Motorcyclists are about 26 times more likely to die in an accident than someone in a passenger car. However, the motorcyclists are not always to blame. In fact, in about two-thirds of motorcycle accidents involving another vehicle, the other driver violated the motorcyclist’s right of way, thereby causing the accident. It is important for all drivers to be aware of motorcyclists and take special precautions to avoid these accidents.
Being a motorcyclist on a road full of cars and trucks in Staten Island isn’t easy. Motorcyclists have their own set of challenges that make them more likely to get injured in accidents. Motorcycles are smaller visual targets than cars, which makes other vehicles less likely to see them, especially when weather conditions are poor. Road hazards such as potholes or oil slicks may not be a major issue for passenger vehicles but they can be a serious problem for motorcyclists. When a motorcycle is traveling at a high speed, the front end of it may become unstable and shake. Accidents caused by this may result in a product liability suit against the manufacturer of the bike.
When a motorcycle accident occurs, much like when a car accident occurs, the court will determine who is at fault. If the court finds that one party was negligent, that party may be held liable for any damage that occurred due to that negligence.
Source: FindLaw, “Motorcycle Accidents: Overview,” accessed on Oct. 6, 2014
