Motorcyclists face some of the greatest dangers on the road because accidents can end their lives in a matter of seconds. The major cause of death in motorcycle accidents tends to be head trauma injuries, even when a rider is wearing a helmet.
When a motorcyclist gets into an accident, they usually face blame even when another driver is responsible for the crash. If you ride a motorcycle as your main mode of transportation or just for fun, you should be aware of the deadly injuries that could occur as a result of the negligence of others. Families of motorcyclists often pay the deepest consequences when their sudden loss is the subject of insurance negotiations and additional strife at a time when they should be left to grieve.
Why Are Motorcycle Accidents Deadly?
It’s a fact that motorcycle accidents are among the deadliest on the roads. Unfortunately, motorcyclists are at an extreme disadvantage due to their lack of protection. There are no seatbelts, airbags, or protective frames, and when another vehicle collides with a motorcycle, the force it exerts on a rider and passenger can kill them.
Motorcyclists should wear helmets and protective gear, even if their state doesn’t make it mandatory. However, a high-impact crash with a motorcycle could result in a fatality even if the motorcyclist is wearing a helmet. Sadly, these deaths occur regularly and while head injuries are the major cause of death in motorcycle accidents, other factors can cause these deadly results.
Most Common Causes of Death for Motorcyclists
As mentioned, head injuries, specifically traumatic brain injuries, are the leading cause of death in motorcycle accidents. For many victims in these crashes, it is often due to not wearing a helmet, though just as many suffer skull fractures, brain swelling, and internal brain bleeding even with proper head protection. Other common causes of death in motorcycle crashes include:
Chest Injuries
Also known as thoracic injuries, when the chest of a motorcyclist is impacted, particularly when they are launched from their bike upon impact from a motor vehicle, the internal organs can be compromised. Motorcyclists often suffer fractured ribs, which can puncture the lungs. Bruising of the heart, tears in the aorta, collapsed lungs, and internal bleeding are other serious injuries that can become fatal if emergency medical help can’t get there fast enough to provide immediate trauma care to a victim.
Spinal Cord Trauma
When a motorcyclist lands on their back or neck, it can cause trauma to the spinal cord. Some are not fortunate enough to survive these injuries, and even if they do, they will have lifelong impacts, often becoming fully paralyzed as a result.
Some cervical spine injuries can cause a victim to stop breathing immediately. Others may lose motor control, as well as respiratory function. Sepsis and blood clots may also form, which can quickly turn deadly. The spine is the lifeline of the body, and when impacts to the spinal cord occur in a motorcycle accident, especially high up on the spinal cord, it can cause a victim to die within minutes.
Construction and Roadway Hazards
When motorcyclist deaths occur on the roads, it is most often the result of another negligent driver. However, some of these deadly motorcycle crashes happen due to poor road conditions or haphazard construction zones. Loose gravel or sand can cause motorcyclists to lose control in an intersection or on a highway ramp. Sudden lane shifts that aren’t properly marked in construction zones, poor lighting, and faded or missing signs near curves or merges can also cause a motorcyclist to crash and suffer fatal injuries. State and local governments are responsible for maintaining the roadways, and when they fail to uphold their duties, they could be held liable for the accident.
Ejections
If a motorcyclist is ejected from their bike, the chance of death increases significantly. Without a seatbelt or an enclosed frame, a careless driver can knock them off into oncoming traffic, a tree, a concrete median, or any other structure. Fatal head, neck, and abdominal injuries are all possible when a motorcyclist is suddenly struck and thrown from their motorcycle. Deadly outcomes are even more likely when ejections occur on highways.
Secondary Impacts
Whether a motorcyclist is struck by a vehicle or a hazard in the road causes them to crash, when they are on the ground, they could get hit by other vehicles. Unfortunately, a secondary collision tends to be deadlier than the initial crash.
Secondary impacts often occur in situations where there is high-speed traffic, and there is no time to react to the traffic behind. Low visibility in foul weather or at night also increases the chance for a downed motorcyclist to be struck again. When drivers can’t swerve in time, they may run over the injured motorcyclist, leading to fatalities.
Distracted Drivers
Distracted driving is one of the most concerning negligent behaviors on the roads today. Drivers often text or look at their phones while in motion. They may also be distracted by their GPS navigation while trying to find their destination, changing the music on the stereo, talking to other passengers, eating, or grooming. Eyes should always be on the road, hands should be on the wheel, and focus should never depart from driving safely. Yet every day, accidents happen because of distracted drivers.
When a driver is distracted, they may not notice a motorcycle. The lower profile of a motorcycle makes it harder to be seen by other drivers. A driver behind the wheel of a motor vehicle weighing several tons may be too busy texting to notice that they’re making an unsafe lane change or turn and strike a motorcyclist in their blind spot.
Drunk Drivers
Drunk or impaired driving causes many deaths on the roads nationwide, and for motorcyclists, the possibility of death is far greater if they encounter an intoxicated driver. Those who are under the influence may make riskier decisions, such as running red lights or stop signs. They are also slower to react to changes on the road ahead. If a motorcyclist happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time, they may not survive the injuries incurred when a drunk driver hits them.
What to Do When a Loved One Is Killed in a Motorcycle Accident
There are inherent risks one takes when riding a motorcycle, and most of the time, it is the fault of another driver or even a government entity that was negligent. It is absolutely devastating for families when the police ring their doorbell to inform them that their loved one was killed in a motorcycle accident.
In those moments, the grief is overwhelming. As you try to make sense of such a senseless act, you may wonder what steps to take. Families who attempt to speak to insurance companies are often further upset when the insurers try to blame their loved one for the accident.
Speaking with personal injury lawyers in Orange County is highly recommended, as they will provide support throughout the legal process. If you are a spouse, domestic partner, or child of the victim, you have legal rights that allow you to hold the negligent party responsible for the death of your loved one.
You may be able to receive compensation from the at-fault driver for funeral expenses, lost future income, medical bills, loss of companionship, and other damages. With an attorney, you will relieve some of this extensive burden and be able to properly grieve as you deserve.
Actions to Take to Hold the At-Fault Party Accountable
Losing someone you love is devastating, especially when it happens in a sudden way, such as through a motorcycle accident. However, time is critical after their death if you want to file a lawsuit for their wrongful death. California laws set a statute of limitations for wrongful death in motorcycle accident cases at two years, which is a very short amount of time.
You will need evidence that proves the other party was negligent and that this negligence directly caused your family member’s death. It can be overwhelming to track down relevant evidence yourself, gather up evidence of your expenses, and try to navigate the process all while you’re stricken with grief.
Insurance companies will also try to take advantage by putting more blame on your loved one simply because they were riding a motorcycle. They may deny the claim entirely or offer a settlement, and all too often, the settlement will not even come close to what you deserve. The motorcycle accident may also involve multiple liable parties, and each one can be held responsible for your damages.
Your best course of action is to speak with an attorney who understands relevant motorcycle laws and has represented others who have lost their loved ones in these circumstances. The sooner you do so, the better the chance you will have of recovering compensation before the statute of limitations ends.
