Government Reports: Motorcycle Death & Injury Accidents Cost $16 Billion

There is no question that motorcycle accidents are extremely costly. 

Motorcycles are a popular mode of transportation and a convenient way of traveling.  But because motorcyclists are less protected than drivers in enclosed vehicles, the potential for serious injury or death in the event of an accident is drastically increased.  A government study states that motorcyclists are 30 times more likely to die in an accident than other drivers, and that in 2010 alone there were 82,000 injuries and 4,502 deaths.  The study also states that the average cost of a motorcycle accident resulting in a fatality is about $1.2 million. Safe driving and compliance with helmet laws are really the only ways that motorcyclists can protect themselves, and the study goes on to mention that helmets reduce the risk of death in a motorcycle accident by about 39 percent.  Helmet safety, combined with teaching drivers and motorcyclists to be equally aware of who they are sharing the road with, and making sure that motorcyclists know how to safely ride their bikes, are the best ways to keep everyone on the road safer.

Determining Liability

Driving is dangerous, and whether you are in a car or on a motorcycle, there is always a risk of an accident happening. Reducing the risk in any way you can is obviously the best way to share the road safely with other drivers. When an accident occurs, however, because motorcyclists are less protected, the potential for death is much higher, as is the potential for serious injury. Treatments for these injuries are almost always very costly. If the accident was the result of negligent behavior on the part of other drivers – as can oftentimes be the case, since drivers can be far less attentive when it comes to noticing motorcyclists – those drivers need to be held accountable.  Careless  motorcyclists who take risks are often the cause of their own accidents, but the greatest danger in driving is almost always other drivers and the uncertainty that comes with sharing the road.  Contacting a motorcycle accident attorney after an accident occurs, when you think another driver is at fault, is extremely important in protecting the integrity of your case, and in making sure that justice is served. Different states have different guidelines for measuring and determining liability.  Your Missouri accident attorney can help to sort through these issues and make a strong case.

The High Cost of Motorcycle Accidents

The government study reports that an average cost of a motorcycle accident where injuries occur, ranged anywhere from $2,500 to $1.4 million, depending on the severity of the injuries.  And when you add up the costs of emergency responders, medical treatment, legal aid, loss of wages and potential earnings, property damage, pain and suffering, etc., there is no question that accidents are extremely costly. Also, recovering from an accident can take a lot of time, effort, and money.  That is why it is necessary to recover any damages that you can if the other driver is the liable party.  A motorcycle accident attorney can help relieve some of your stress following an accident by making sure that your case is handled expertly and swiftly, keeping your best interests at heart.  Seeking advice from an experienced motorcycle accident attorney with experience handling the intricacies of cases involving motorcycles, is the only way to make sure that you recover the maximum amount that you can, and that the other driver or drivers are held responsible for their actions.

St. Louis Motorcycle Accident Attorneys

GET IMMEDIATE HELP! If you feel that you or someone you love has a motorcycle accident case, contact the St. Louis motorcycle accident lawyers at the Zevan and Davidson Law Firm today. Schedule a free consultation by calling (314) 588-7200.

 photo credit: Outburner