Most motorcyclists are aware that motorcycle accidents can be devastating, if not deadly. That’s not to say that motorcycles are necessarily more dangerous than other vehicles, but rather that whenever anyone is on the road in or on any type of vehicle, they are taking the chance of being in an accident. What are the real facts about Oklahoma motorcycle accidents?
Motorcycle Accident Statistics The Oklahoma Highway Safety Office (OHSO) published a fact sheet that revealed that, over the past few years, hundreds of motorcycles in Oklahoma have resulted in deaths. The most recent data, which is from the year 2014, states that there were 55 motorcyclists who lost their lives in accidents that year. While that number is certainly tragic, it had decreased substantially compared to 2013, when there were 92 motorcycle accident-related deaths and in 2012, 83 motorcycle accident deaths were reported. This does not even include any reporting on serious personal injuries due to an accident. Do Helmets Make A Difference? Obviously, wearing a helmet while riding a motorcycle is the smartest safety precaution to take. However, not all motorcyclists follow the helmet laws or practical safety advice in the states that do not have helmet laws. Out of the 55 motorcyclists who lost their lives in 2014, 35 were not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. Lack Of A Helmet Does Not Equate Fault However, even if a motorcycle rider chooses not to wear a helmet for their own safety, that does not automatically mean that they are to blame for the injuries that they incurred in an accident. In fact, in most motorcycle accidents that occur, it is the negligence of another driver that causes the accident. All drivers on the road have a responsibility to ensure they follow the laws to ensure the safety of other drivers – including motorcyclists – on the road. Motorcycles Do Not Offer Protection Motorcycles obviously do not provide the same protection that other vehicles on the road provide to drivers and passengers. Nor are they made to withstand a collision with a vehicle that is much larger than the motorcycle, which is why most motorcyclists sustain worse injuries than people who were in the car or truck that the collision occurred with. Of course, motorcyclists should always put safety above everything else while riding their bikes. Contact Us Today For Your Tulsa Injury Case If you have sustained injuries from a motorcycle collision that was the fault of the other driver, that driver is liable for the damages that your bike suffered and any injuries that you are dealing with. The law offices of Frasier, Frasier & Hickman, LLP have helped injured Oklahoma motorcyclists recuperate the compensation they were entitled to, and we will help you, too. Contact us today for a free consultation at 918-779-3658.