St. Louis Negligent Driver Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

Motorcycle Accident Caused by a Negligent Driver

Motorcyclists face a number of risks on the road. Defective road design or bad conditions, weather, and defective motorcycles or motorcycle parts can all lead to a crash. Other drivers are also a major source of motorcycle crashes. When a motorcyclist suffers injury in a collision with a negligent driver, the motorcyclist has the legal right to seek compensation from that driver for the injuries they have suffered as a result of their actions.

Motorcycle Accident Statistics

About 56 percent of fatal and injury-causing motorcycle collisions each year involve at least one other vehicle in addition to the motorcycle, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Of the fatal crashes, the motorcyclist died 98 percent of the time and the occupants of the vehicle died only 2 percent of the time. Among motorcyclists who survived these collisions, lower-body injuries were the most common (30 percent), followed closely by head and neck injuries (22 percent) and injuries to the chest and shoulders (20 percent), according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In the vast majority of these accidents, negligence on the part of the car or truck driver played a role.

What is Considered Driver Negligence?

Driver negligence comes in a variety of forms. Some of the most common accident-causing forms of negligence and recklessness include:

• Driver distraction. Cell phones, GPS devices, conversations, eating and drinking, and any other activity that takes the driver’s eyes, hands, or mind away from the task of driving can result in a negligent driver accident. Motorcyclists face a higher risk of being injured by distracted drivers because distractions make it less likely a driver will see a motorcyclist or respond to a motorcycle’s presence in time to avoid a crash.
• Drunk/drugged driving. Driving under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or both reduces a driver’s ability to see the road, understand upcoming obstacles and hazards, and take the steps necessary to avoid a crash. When a drunk or drugged driver doesn’t see a motorcyclist or misjudges the distance or speed between his or her car and the motorcyclist, tragedy can result.
• Speeding. Speed is a major factor in vehicle crashes of all types, including motorcycle accidents. Driving faster than is safe for road conditions reduces both a driver’s ability to see motorcyclists in time and a driver’s ability to stop or maneuver in time to avoid a crash.
• Ignoring or missing signs and signals. Failing to stop at a stop sign or red light, ignoring the right of way, or dodging around a railroad crossing can all result in a crash. Motorcyclists involved in these types of accidents often suffer severe injury.

Dedicated to Obtaining Justice for Motorcycle Crash Victims

Drivers of cars, trucks, and other motor vehicles have an obligation to use due care when they are driving. This includes staying aware of others ons the road and responding accordingly in order to avoid crashes or other collisions. When a driver fails to take this care and injures another person as a result, the injured person has the right to seek compensation. If you’ve been injured by a negligent driver in Missouri, experienced St. Louis motorcycle accident attorneys at Page Law can help. To learn more about your legal rights and options, contact us today for a free, confidential consultation at (314) 322-8515.