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Why Are Motorcycle Crashes So Serious?

Michael Agruss

Written and Reviewed by Michael Agruss

  • Managing Partner and Personal Injury Lawyer at Mike Agruss Law.
  • Over 20 years of experience in Personal Injury.
  • Over 8000+ consumer rights cases settled.
  • Graduated from the University of Illinois Chicago School of Law: Juris Doctor, 2004.

 

It is extremely common for motorcyclists involved in an accident to fare worse than an automobile driver would in an accident. In fact, Nolo says that more than 80 percent of all reported motorcycle crashes result in injury or death. There were 35 times more deaths from motorcycle accidents than car accidents –  but why is this?

The largest factor at play here is that motorcycles have much less protection than vehicles do. Motorcycles do not have the heavy steel surrounding all their occupants that vehicles have. For vehicles, that steel acts as the first line of defense by bearing the brunt of a crash. For motorcycles, there is nothing between you and another motorist crashing into your own body. The result would be very destructive to the motorcyclist, whose body itself will bear the brunt of the crash.

Another factor that makes motorcycle crashes more serious than vehicle crashes is stability and size. Obviously, motorcycles are smaller in size when compared to any vehicle. They are more narrow and short, which also makes them lighter. Thus, motorcycles can be more difficult to see on the road around cars as well as being the weaker side of the crash, meaning that they will absorb the heavier vehicle’s force and face more severe damage than the car, which hit a lighter object. Another large reason for serious motorcycle crashes is that many motorcyclists ride in between two lanes of stopped traffic. Doing so can sometimes end in a crash from one vehicle attempting to switch lanes and not anticipating the motorcycle to be driving between lanes.

At most, the protection that motorcycles typically have is a helmet and perhaps a lap seatbelt, which does not provide optimal safety for the riders. Even with these safety precautions in place or enforced, it is up to the discretion of the driver to follow them, which not all motorcyclists do. It is imperative that to stay safe, a motorcyclist should wear a helmet with protective eye or face wear, and appropriate gear to protect you in the event of an accident at all times. Though motorcyclists are smaller than cars, they should still abide by the same rules that cars do while driving to avoid a potential crash.

If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact Mike Agruss Law for a free consultation. We are a Chicago-based law firm representing individuals (and their families) who have been injured in an accident. We will handle your case quickly and advise you every step of the way, and we will not hesitate to go to trial for you. We will ensure that your rights and protected and you are fully compensated for your injuries and losses, and this includes working with the insurance companies on your behalf to ensure a favorable settlement. We will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Lastly, we are not paid attorneys’ fees unless we win your case. Our no-fee promise is that simple. There is nothing to risk when you hire us – only the opportunity to seek justice.

We see you as a person, not just a client – and that makes us better at what we do. We listen. We learn your story. And, as we help you get the money you deserve, we go above and beyond in a way most law firms never could and never would. Because we’re not just lawyers. And you’re not just a client. We’re friends, neighbors, family. We’re all people and here at Mike Agruss Law, we put People, First.

Helping our clients is about counseling, advocating, and ultimately solving problems. With years of experience successfully representing the people, not the powerful, we will take care of the insurance adjusters, your medical bills, your property damage, your lost wages, and monitor your treatment so you can focus on healing and getting your life back to normal. Our unique formula has earned us over 900 outstanding client reviews on our website, an A+ BBB rating, and over 120 five-star reviews on Google. Call 888-572-0176, e-mail us at [email protected], or schedule a meeting with us here. We’re here 24/7.

 

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