Atlanta Personal Injury Lawyer Blog
It should go without saying that wearing a motorcycle helmet will save lives, but many people opt not to wear them because they don’t look cool – a potentially deadly decision.
It’s cool to own and ride a motorbike or some other mode of transportation like that these days. It’s also economical because there isn’t as much gas being used, not to mention parking is a breeze. The point, however, is that despite the fact that motorcycles are cool in a lot of people’s books, they have the potential to be deadly – more deadly than a car if the truth were known.
Part of the truth lies in the number of accidents over the last few years involving motorcycles has increased by a staggering 50%. Throw in sales stats and it’s evident motorcycle sales are hopping. It’s the latest rage to beat the cost of gas. The latest rage has also cost over 4,700 deaths in the U.S.
The other truth that will hit home with a nasty shock is that the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration offers numbers that show motorcyclists are approximately 35 times more likely to be killed in accidents as compared to car drivers. Many of the deaths happen in the first year of owning a bike because of inexperience.
Generally speaking, the major causes of motorbike crashes include, but are not limited to, road conditions such as unexpected rumble strips, potholes, loose gravel, wet pavement and road debris. Driving errors rank second and include actions such as driving too closely to others, tailgating, swerving in and out between cars and not signaling properly. The thing that compounds a motorcycle accident is the lack of protection for the rider. Part of the lack of protection relates to not wearing a proper helmet.
Even though it would seem to be smart to ensure a rider’s head is protected from contact with the pavement and averting traumatic brain injury, there are still those who choose not to wear them. This seems to fly in the face of common sense when studies show that wearing a helmet cuts the risk of brain injuries by up to 88 percent. This is critical information, as a vast majority of motorcycle crash deaths are due to head injuries. Despite these statistics, less than 50 percent of motorcycle riders choose to wear their helmet, even if they happen to own one. In many instances, the helmet winds up being a decoration on the bike.
Motorcycle crash victims and their families need the expert legal representation that only a fully qualified personal injury lawyer is able to provide. If the victim survives, the attorney will be able to fight for compensation for their long-term care. If the victim died at the scene and this becomes a wrongful death suit, the attorney is able to obtain justice and compensation for the loss.
To learn more about Atlanta personal injury lawyer, Stephen M. Ozcomert or Atlanta personal injury, Atlanta personal injury lawyer, Atlanta personal injury attorney, visit Ozcomert.com.