Bellingham Man killed in Island County Dirt Bike Wreck
As reported by KGMI, a Bellingham man died in a dirt bike accident that happened in Island County this past Friday. According to Washington State Patrol, 29-year-old Joshua H. Heneger was riding on a dirt road near Clinton at about 7:30 p.m. when he lost control of the bike and crashed into a hard object. The rider was not wearing a helmet and the cause of the accident is still being investigated.
Dirt bike riding is a huge draw for many – especially young men. It’s full of adrenaline pumping and dare devil opportunities. Unfortunately, each year hundreds of children and adults are killed or injured in accidents involving a dirt bike. Dirt bike safety must be taken very seriously.
Dirt bike safety tips
There are safety measures that can help to prevent a tragic dirt bike accident. At a minimum, riders should wear safety gear, including a DOT-compliant helmet, goggles, long sleeves and pants, over-the-ankle boots, and gloves. Other important safety measures include:
- Taking an in-person riding course,
- Choosing a bike that is the appropriate size and weight for your age, size and skill level,
- Never drinking or taking drugs before getting on a bike,
- Riding on designated dirt bike trails, and
- Slowing down for turns.
Dirt bike wreck attorney
If you or a loved one was injured in a dirt bike accident, contact an experienced Bellingham dirt bike wreck lawyer as soon as you are able. A dirt bike accident lawyer can discuss your legal rights and may be able to help you recover damages for your injuries.
Dirt bike accident statistics
- Alcohol is a factor in almost 50 percent of ATV fatalities, 90.5 percent of ATV related deaths are males and more than 60 percent of deaths happened to riders not wearing helmets even though most riders wear them. (Source)
- Be careful when riding near trees: According to the Journal of Pediatric Surgery, 27 percent of traumatic brain injuries from ATV crashes are caused by a crash with a stationary object.
- Between 2001 and 2004, an estimated 500,000 people were in dirt bike accidents; 75 percent of those injured were hospitalized.
- In 2003, motorcycle dirt bike deaths per year accounted for 245 deaths among children and teens under the age of 19 and almost 57,000 trips to the emergency room to treat injuries.
- According to statistics in the Journal of Pediatric Orthopaedics, more than half of dirt bike injuries bad enough for a hospital stay are caused by dirt bike racing at an official track.
Dirt bike injury statistics
According to CDC.gov, the six most common non-fatal dirt bike crash injuries endured by youth riding a motorcycle, dirt bike, trail bike, moped, motor-scooter or mini-bike between 2001 and 2004 were:
- Fracture, 7,282 (30.6%)
- Contusion/Abrasion, 5,565 (23.4%)
- Laceration, 3,893 (16.4%)
- Strain/Sprain, 2,866 (12.0%)
- Internal injury/Concussion, 2,016 (8.5%)
- Burn, 562 (2.4%)
Seek the help of a personal injury attorney
If you or a loved one was injured because of the negligence of another, contact a personal injury lawyer to discuss your legal rights. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the full compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the personal injury lawyers at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County, Island County and Snohomish County since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
