bellingham motorcycle accident attorney Tag

Dangers of Motorcycle Lane Splitting

Motorcyclists have to adhere to the same traffic laws as regular cars, with only a few exceptions. Motorcyclists may be tempted to get ahead of traffic by motorcycle lane splitting but the practice is currently illegal in Washington State. While there are efforts to change the law and allow lane splitting throughout the state, there are concerns about its safety.

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What to Know About Single-Vehicle Motorcycle Accidents Amid Increase in Motorcycle Accident Fatalities

Speed and Aggressive Driving Contribute to Bellingham Motorcycle Accident

After an unseasonably cold and wet spring, summer weather has finally arrived in the Pacific Northwest. Motorcycle riders who have been waiting to get their bikes out of storage and hit the road are rejoicing. It’s very important for motorcyclists to exercise caution on the roads as they are much more likely to die in a traffic crash than drivers. Data shows that motorcycle riders suffer 25 fatalities per 100 million miles of travel compared to 0.80 fatalities per 100 million miles of passenger car travel. There are two main reasons for this: 1. Drivers sometimes have a hard time seeing motorcycles on the road and 2. Motorcycle riders don’t have as much protection as drivers.

If you or a loved one was injured or killed in a motorcycle accident because of the negligence of another driver, contact a local motorcycle accident lawyer for help. Injury lawyers know how to calculate the true value of your accident claim and can help you negotiate a full and fair settlement for your injuries and losses.

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Semi-truck vs Motorcycle Crash Sends Motorcyclist to Hospital

As reported by Whatcom News over the weekend, first responders were dispatched to the scene of a semi-truck versus motorcycle crash in Blaine, Washington at the intersection of Alderson Road and Blaine Road. The accident – that happened on May 14 – caused the temporary closure of Blaine Road between Alderson Road and Bay Road while rescuers extricated the motorcyclist from underneath the front of the semi-truck. North Whatcom Fire and Rescue and Whatcom County Fire District 7 crews used hydraulic jacks to lift the truck’s front axle to remove the patient. The patient was then transported to PeaceHealth St. Joseph Medical Center via advanced life support (ALS) protocols due to his leg injury.

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Motorcycle Accident Statistics for Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

Motorcycle riders are overrepresented in fatal traffic crashes with a higher fatality rate than drivers. The numbers are stark, with approximately 25 fatalities per 100 million miles of travel on a motorcycle compared to 0.80 fatalities per 100 million miles of passenger car travel.

Motorcycle accident statistics

• Motorcycles represent only three percent of registered vehicles but they account for 14 percent of traffic-related fatalities.
• A motorcycle driver is 27 times more likely to die in a crash than a car driver and 80 percent of all motorcycle crashes result in injury or death compared to 20 percent of all passenger car accidents.
• In 2019, 5,014 motorcyclists died in motorcycle crashes.
• Motorcyclists are also at an increased risk for single-vehicle accidents; 34 percent of motorcycle accidents do not involve any other vehicle compared to only 14 percent of car crashes.

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May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were 4,985 motorcyclists killed in collisions in 2018. While this was a five percent decrease in motorcycle fatalities, motorcyclists still made up a disproportionately large portion of traffic fatalities; 14 percent of all traffic-accident fatalities, while representing only three percent of all registered motor vehicles. Motorcycle riders are about 28 times more likely to die in a motor vehicle crash than passenger car occupants. During Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month in May, the NHTSA reminds motorcyclists and drivers to help keep everyone safe by sharing the road. They also advise motorcyclists to remain alert at all times, to make themselves as visible as possible, to use DOT-compliant motorcycle helmets, and to never drink and ride.

The Importance of Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

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How to Prevent a Blind Spot Motorcycle Accident

Summer is prime motorcycle season in the Pacific Northwest and that means more motorcycles interacting with trucks and cars on the roads. When motorcycle accidents happen between a car or truck and a motorcycle, motorcycle riders are much more vulnerable to injury and death because they don’t have the same type of protection. Blind spots are especially dangerous for motorcyclists because motorcycles are smaller and harder to see than passenger cars. When a passenger car or truck driver cannot see a motorcycle in their blind spot they may move into the space and cause a serious crash.

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Are Motorcycles Safe?

Now that spring is here along with warmer temperatures, more people are bringing their motorcycles out of the garage. Many love the feel of riding a motorcycle but it’s clear that in a motor vehicle crash, motorcyclists are a lot more vulnerable to injury than a driver protected by a car. For those considering getting a motorcycle, safety considerations should be made.

Are motorcycles safe?

Motorcycles are much less safe than motor vehicles for the following reasons:

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