Articles Posted in Motorcycle Accident

Every winter in Massachusetts and throughout New England, people head outdoors and look for fun family activities to do in the cold snowy weather. One of the more popular winter activities is riding a snowmobile.

While some are lucky enough to own a snowmobile, many choose instead to rent one for the day. Snowmobiling can be a lot of fun and excitement, but it can also be very dangerous. According to a recent news article from the Union Leader, a New Hampshire man was seriously injured in a snowmobile accident, and is said to be in a life-threatening condition at a local hospital.

Witnesses say the crash occurred early Tuesday morning on a local pond. The 53-year-old victim was a passenger on a snowmobile being operated by someone else around 3 a.m. Driver crashed into a rock, which was partially exposed from icy surface of the pond. The snowmobile flipped over when it hit the rock throwing female operator and victim off the machine. Victim then crashed into more exposed rocks after being thrown from snowmobile. It should be noted neither victim nor driver were wearing a helmet at the time of this serious accident.
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According to Massachusetts State Police (MSP), a 20-year-old motorcyclist was killed while crossing over the Massachusetts Avenue Bridge. Officers report that the biker collided with an SUV and then with a pickup. He was taken to the hospital right after the Boston accident, but was pronounced dead. According to 7News, it happened just before 3:00 p.m. on the Boston side of the bridge. Officers say that the man was wearing a helmet at the time of the accident but it wasn’t enough to save his life. The bridge was closed until that evening so that officials could investigate.

“Guy hit the bike, guy went flying, I ran over him,” said the pickup driver involved in the accident.

Our Boston motorcycle accident lawyers understand that there are a lot more motorcyclists on our roadways this time of year. For that reason, we’re asking drivers to be careful of everyone, especially motorcyclists. These two-wheeled travelers are extremely vulnerable for serious injury or death in the event of an accident. Sometimes not even a helmet is enough to save them. All drivers need to be cautious of one another and keep an eye on our vehicle’s surroundings to help to avoid a potentially fatal accident. One wrong move can wind up costing someone’s life.

In 2009, there were nearly 5,000 riders who were killed in motorcycle accidents nationwide. In addition to these fatalities, there were 90,000 motorcyclists injured, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Many of these accidents, injuries and fatalities could have been prevented if drivers took the extra time and actually looked for these riders. Oftentimes, they’re just overlooked on our roadways because drivers don’t see them or don’t give them the proper respect on the road. The truth of the matter is that these travelers have the same rights and follow the same laws as you and I. They should be treated that way, too.

Motorcycle Safety Tips from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT):

-Drive like drivers can’t see you. Make your presence known.

-Consider adhering reflective materials to your helmet. Make sure that it’s DOT-approved. That’s your most valuable piece of protective gear.

-When riding at night, wear bright-colored clothing.

-Be on the lookout in poor weather, traffic and adverse road conditions. Be sure to keep all of your attention on your surroundings.

-Always use your headlights while riding on the highway. You should always use your high beams rather than low beams.

-Avoid hiding in a driver’s blind spot, and always signal before making a move.

-Never weave between lanes.

-Never share a lane with a car.
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Recent statistics from the Governors Highway Safety Association (GHSA) note that fatalities from auto accidents nationwide are declining. Well, all of them except motorcyclist fatalities.

According to statistics from the first 9 months of 2011, the number of motorcyclist fatalities has remained the same compared to the previous year, both sitting at nearly 5,000, according to webBikeWorld.

The U.S. is seeing some of its lowest fatality rates since 1949. But the number of fatal motorcycle accidents in Boston and elsewhere just don’t seem to budge despite all of the nationwide efforts to raise awareness about these vulnerable drivers. There have been a multitude of campaigns and safety events dedicated to getting drivers to be more aware of our two-wheeled friends on the road but nothing seems to work.

This is worrying officials because while we may have just rounded out National Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, we’re heading into the summer travel season which allows for more bikers to hit our roadways. With more bikers on our roadways, we see higher risks for accidents and ultimately more fatal accidents than any other time of the year.

Our Boston motorcycle accident attorneys understand that we’re seeing a lot more motorcyclists on our roadways. It’s the summer, it’s that time of year when the weather clears up, the sun shines through and our two-wheeled friends hit the road. It’s also a time to raise awareness. For that reason, we’re asking motorists to be on the lookout and to help reduce the risk of accidents.

Experts believe these accidents have remained steady because:

-The improving economy has allowed residents with more spending money to purchase motorcycles.

-The high gas prices has more residents riding motorcycles to save at the pump.

-Motorcycle helmet laws are lacking in many states. When motorcycle helmets are not mandatory, less motorcyclists wear them. The fewer helmets on our roadways the more fatal accidents we see.

Dr. James Hedlund of Highway Safety North has done much research into gas prices and the status of the economy with the number of motorcyclist fatalities and there seems to be a direct correlation between them. When the economy is doing well, the number of motorcycle registrations is typically up and so is the number of accidents. When gas prices are high, the number of motorcycle registrations typically rises as well as the fatality numbers. These patterns have been pretty steady since 1990, allowing experts to pretty much predict when we’re going to see more fatal motorcycle accidents on our roadways.

“It is disappointing that we are not making progress in motorcycle safety, particularly as fatalities involving other motorists continue to decline,” said GHSA Chairman,
Troy Costales.
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Motorcycle accidents in Boston are a huge problem, killing and injuring four times as many people as bicycle accidents on our roadways in 2008.

Nationally, motorcycle fatalities have more than doubled in recent years, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Our Boston motorcycle accident attorneys are including this as the second in our nine-part series on Boston Road Safety.

Riding a motorcycle can be dangerous. Riders face more risks for being killed in a motorcycle accident in Boston than do the occupants of passenger-vehicles.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) says there is one thing that a motorcyclist can do to help reduce these risks — antilock brakes. To help spread the word, the IIHS has released a new pamphlet, “Motorcycle ABS: Why you want to ride with it,” explaining exactly why you’re safer with this braking system.

This brochure explains exactly what antilock brakes do, how they work and what their benefits are for riders. It has been created to be handed out at motorcycle showcasing events, rider training programs and other motorcycling venues. The bottom line is that the IIHS is encouraging riders to embrace the new technology and to choose bike models with the safe braking system.

Our Massachusetts motorcycle accident attorneys understand that motorcycles have two separate braking systems, one for the front tire and one for the back. Braking on a motorcycle is much more difficult that braking in a passenger vehicle. When braking on a motorcycle, either wheel can lock up and a driver could potentially lose control or balance and suffer a deadly fall.

When making a sudden brake in a car, the vehicle may skid. No harm done. With the antilock brakes, motorcyclists can brake without the fear of locking up.

“Research shows that motorcycle antilocks dramatically cut the risk of a deadly crash,” says Institute president Adrian Lund.

The antilock braking system knows when to reduce the pressure applied on your brakes right before you’re about to experience a lockup. The system knows when to reapply pressure once you’ve regained traction, too. Riders don’t typically notice any changes in non-emergency braking with the new system since the technology is only used when the motorcycle’s wheels are about to stop spinning.

The braking system comes standard on some bikes and can come as an add-on feature to many bikes. Riders are encouraged to opt for the safe-braking system.

Bikes that have the antlock braking system have been proven to have a near 40 percent lower rate of deadly accidents than the same models without the system, according to the IISH. Highway Loss Data Institute statistics report that there more than a 20 percent reduction in the number of collision insurance claims that are filed for motorcycles with antilocks than for bikes without it.

The braking system has been proven to be safe for motorcyclists of all capabilities. Even the most trained motorcyclists are, at times, forced to brake hard. Road surfaces can play a large role in the outcome of a harsh braking scenario. Unexpectedly sandy or slippery roads can cause a rider to crash. The Austrian Road Safety Board recently conducted a study that concluded that beginner, moderate and expert riders can stop quicker and more safely with the new braking system.

In 2009, more than 4,000 people were killed in motorcycle accidents. If antilock braking systems had been presence on all bikes, experts believe this number could have been much, much lower.
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A recent motorcycle accident in Danvers took the life of a Gloucester man, according to Massachusetts State Police. The accident happened just before 7:00 p.m. on Route 1 when the rider lost control of his bike, and was thrown into a guardrail right by the Route 114 exit. The accident ejected him from his bike and set him through the air about 70 feet. He was transported to the Beverly Hospital and was later pronounced dead, according to the Boston Globe.

Officers were at the scene of the accident within two minutes. Lifesaving efforts were attempted, but failed. They were forced to close some of the northbound lanes on Route 1 to investigate the accident. Traffic was backed up in the area for about an hour. Officers are still investigating the cause of the accident.

Our Boston motorcycle accident attorneys ask all motorcyclists to be extremely cautious on our roadways as riding season comes to a close. Passenger vehicles are the biggest threat to motorcycle riders.

The Insurance Information Institute (III) reports that there are more than 7 million motorcycles on the road in the U.S. Every year there are at least a million new motorcycles and dirt bikes purchased.

Recent motorcycle statistics:

-There were nearly 5,500 people killed because of motorcycle accidents in the U.S. in 2008. This illustrates the highest number of motorcyclist fatalities on record.

-Over the last 10 years, the number of motorcycle accidents and deaths has increased every single year.

-More and more motorcyclists 40-years-old and older are dying in motorcycle accidents every day, which directly reflects the number of aging baby boomers.

-The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that a motorcyclist is nearly 40 times more likely to be killed in a motorcycle accident than someone in a passenger vehicle.

-A motorcyclist is nearly 10 times more likely to be injured while driving a motorcycle than while driving a car.

-In 2008, motorcycle accidents represented nearly 15 percent of all traffic accident fatalities.

-Nearly 115,000 motorcycle accidents in 2008 resulted in serious injury of significant property damage.

-According to the NHTSA, nearly 2,000 motorcyclists were saved because they were wearing a helmet at the time of an accident in 2008.

A great many of these accidents can be prevented if we can educate and raise awareness in passenger-vehicle drivers about the dangers that motorcyclists are faced with. More cautious, alert and focused driving habits can help to save riders’ lives. It is important to keep a watchful eye out for motorcyclists while driving on our busy Massachusetts roadways. Many riders will be out as the summer riding season comes to a close.
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