Ohio Motorcycle Accidents: The Risk & Reality of Brain Injuries
Posted in: Motorcycle Accidents
KNR Legal Blog
Motorcyclists are one of the most vulnerable groups of drivers on the road due to the size of their vehicles. One of the leading causes of injuries and fatalities among motorcyclists are collisions with motor vehicles that result in head injuries and other related injuries. While car accidents and other vehicular accidents apparently have decreased due to the enactment of safety regulations, motor vehicle accidents actually have increased in recent years.
Recently, a truck struck a motorcycle in Aberdeen, Ohio, and the motorcyclist was injured. Both vehicles were allegedly driving east on a road with double lanes. The truck driver was supposedly unaware of the motorcyclist on the road and struck her when it attempted to make a left turn. The accident investigation is still underway. The injured victim was taken to the hospital and treated for her injuries.
The statistics for motor vehicle accidents are quite alarming. There were reportedly approximately 34,000 fatalities and 1,222,000 injuries reported among motorcycle riders between 2001 and 2008. Fatalities among motorcyclists involved in motorcycle accidents increased by 55 percent, which works out to be approximately 1.74 persons out of every 100,000. Injuries also increased from 120,000 to around 175,000. People in their twenties seem most vulnerable to motorcycle accidents, according to statistical data.
An accident can force the responsible person to face several different types of severe penalties. These penalties may vary from revocation or suspension of the person’s driver’s license to heavy fines to imprisonment, depending on the severity of the accident, as well as prior driving history of the alleged driver. Furthermore, the insurance premium also would likely be adversely affected in such cases. The victim and his family may have a right to compensation, as well. The compensation can help with expenses that are related to the accident, such as medical expenses, treatment and therapy. In the event of a fatality, the compensation also can be used to cover funeral expenses.