Collisions involving all forms of motor vehicles can result in fatal injuries of vehicle occupants, but motorcycle accidents caused by negligent drivers pose a much more significant risk of causing wrongful death. Motorcycles offer limited handling because they are not as stable and provide no protection to motorcycle enthusiasts when collisions occur. When other types of vehicles like cars, trucks and SUVs are involved in motor vehicle crashes, vehicle ejections constitute one of the most dangerous risks to vehicle occupants because the injury victim has no protection from impact. When a motorcycle crash occurs on Missouri roadways, every crash essentially involves a vehicle ejection.
The statistical data regarding the fatality rate for motorcycle operators and passengers in collisions is sobering. While the number of deaths of those involved in collisions involving passenger vehicles has declined in recent years, the motorcycle accident fatality rate continues to climb. During a recent seven year period, the fatality rate for those involved in motorcycle crashes increased an alarming 55 percent according to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
The most prudent motorcyclist may be victimized by negligent drivers because there are limited evasive actions that may be safely employed by a rider to avoid a deadly motorcycle accident. Given the inherent limitations of motorcycle enthusiasts to react to driving errors made by motorists in passenger vehicles, the value of a motorcycle helmet that meets Department of Transportation (DOT) minimum standards can hardly be overstated. Many Missouri motorcyclists object to the state helmet law that requires universal use by all riders, but it is well-established that motorcycle helmet use is the single most important factor in preventing a wrongful death in motorcycle accidents.
The empirical evidence supporting the benefit of universal helmet laws is persuasive. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) conducted a study and found that only 12 percent of those who died in motorcycle accidents were not wearing helmets in universal helmet law jurisdictions. By way of contrast, 64 percent of fatal accidents involved riders without helmets in jurisdictions where only certain riders were required to wear helmets. Almost 80 percent of motorcycle accident fatalities involved riders without helmets in states with no motorcycle helmet law. Further, the NHTSA indicates that motorcycle helmets reduce the risk of a motorcycle accident fatality by 37 percent.
There have been consistent efforts to overturn the universal helmet law in Missouri, including one as recent as mid-2012. Although these efforts may eventually be successful, we urge riders to seriously consider the danger posed by drunk, distracted and otherwise negligent drivers. If your loved one dies in a Missouri motorcycle accident, our experienced wrongful death attorneys are committed to representing the interest of those who have been silenced by the negligence of others. We understand the hardships that surviving family member endure and seek the financial compensation they need following the loss of a family breadwinner. We offer a free initial consultation so we urge you to call us today to discuss your case.