Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog
A recent weekend motorcycle accident in Springfield has finally taken the life of a local man. The 33-year-old motorcyclist was driving down Wilbraham Road when a passenger vehicle pulled out in front of him. The motorcyclist tried to swerve out of the way but was unable to do so in time. While trying to avoid the car, he laid down his bike and slid. He was taken to the Baystate Medical Center where he later died. The accident happened shortly before 10:00 p.m., according to the Boston Globe.
Our Boston motorcycle accident lawyers understand that we’re seeing more and more motorcyclists on our roadways as the skies clear up and the sun starts to shine through. It’s that time of the year when bikers dust off their helmets and hit the open road. It’s also a time when motorists need to be more careful behind the wheel and keep an extra watchful eye out for these vulnerable motorists.
Some of the most common accidents that involve motorcyclists happen when a passenger vehicle pulls out right in front of them. This happens because most motorists fail to see these two-wheeled riders on our roadways. We can’t stress how important it is for drivers to make sure they’re aware of their surroundings at all times and that they take that extra two seconds to look for motorcyclists before making a move in traffic.
Did you know that motorcyclists are about 25 percent more likely to get into a fatal accident than the occupants of a passenger vehicle? As a matter of fact, more than 10 percent of all accidents that happen in the U.S. involve motorcycles. These accidents are oftentimes fatal because motorcyclists aren’t offered as much protection as we are from our passenger vehicles. Head injury is the leading cause of death in motorcycle accidents. Motorcyclists are urged to wear a helmet during every ride. Helmets can help to reduce the risks of death in the event of an accident by nearly 40 percent.
And with more and more motorcyclists on our roadways, it’s important for everyone to be on the lookout. In 1997, there were less than 4,000,000 motorcycles registered in the U.S. During that year, we saw about 2,120 motorcycle fatalities. Then in 2005 there were more than 6,200,000 motorcycles registered in the U.S. During that time, we saw nearly 5,000 motorcycle fatalities. That’s a near 65 percent increase over that short amount of time.
According to the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT), motorcycle accidents are most likely to happen when a motorcyclist is riding in a driver’s blind spot, when a driver makes a turn in front of a rider, when there are dangerous road conditions and when a driver’s view is obstructed.
Be careful out there through the rest of the summer travel season. Be courteous and keep an eye out for our two-wheeled friends. Safe roadways start with good driving habits.
The accident attorneys at Jeffrey Glassman Injury Lawyers, LLC are dedicated to fighting for the rights of those who have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Boston or anywhere in the state. If you wish to speak to a lawyer about your case, call today to schedule your free consultation at (617) 777-7777.
More Blog Entries:
Motorcycle Accidents in Massachusetts Focus of National Awareness Month, Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog, May 5, 2012
NHTSA Releases New Data: Fatal Car Accidents in Massachusetts Still High, Boston Car Accident Lawyer Blog, December 12, 2011