As summer temperatures continue to rise, the number of motorcycle riders on the roads have increased as well. And with the increasing number of riders on the roads, it is reasonable to expect the number of motorcycle collisions will be on the rise.
“The most common way that a motorcycle collision occurs is not because of a speeding motorcycle, it’s actually because of a car turning left out in front of a motorcycle,” explained Oklahoma City motorcycle accident lawyer Michael Carr on Know The Law on Living Oklahoma. “Often times cars turn out in front of a motorcycle drivers because they just have trouble seeing them. In fact there’s a study done by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration (NHTSA) which concludes the #1 cause of motorcycle collisions was cars just not being able to see the motorcycle.”
One of the best ways motorcycle riders can protect themselves against injuries if they are involved in an accident, is by simply wearing a helmet. Wearing a helmet not only increases a rider’s chance of surviving the motorcycle accident, but it also greatly increases their chance of avoiding a significant and traumatic brain injury.
When motorcycle accidents do occur, it’s important to understand motorcycle riders have the same rights and protections as someone who is driving a car or truck.
Carr concludes that if someone is riding a motorcycle and another car does something negligent to cause a collision with them, they are entitled to benefits from the other driver’s insurance carrier. Whether that includes hospital expenses, physical therapy expenses, missed work, lost wages, etc., those are things riders should be entitled to receive. If you’re ever involved in a motorcycle accident in Oklahoma, the personal injury lawyers at Carr & Carr can help.
