Boston motorcycle accidents can result in severe, life-threatening injuries and death. Read on for more information about fatal motorcycle injuries in the city.
Motor vehicle accidents happen now and again in Boston, and motorcycle crashes are among the deadliest of them all. They make up a significant number of the cases that Boston motorcycle wreck attorneys take on. The National Highway Safety Administration recorded about 5,014 motorcycle crash fatalities in 2019. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, that amounted to 14% of all fatal crashes for that year.
While most Boston motorcycle accidents are due to reckless driving, other factors make them highly susceptible to crashes. For example, motorcycles aren’t as stable or crash-worthy as other vehicles. They’re also less visible on the road, making it easy for other automobiles to hit them.
The Insurance Information Institute states that motorcyclists are 29% more likely to die in crashes than occupants of passenger cars. This may be due to motorcycles having fewer barriers to prevent catastrophic injuries than enclosed vehicles. In this article, we’ll shed more light on the most fatal injuries motorcycle accident victims suffer in Boston.
What’s the Primary Cause of Motorcycle Crash Fatalities in Boston?
Following inference from various statistics, injuries to the head may be the number one cause of motorcycle crash fatalities. According to a report, about 37% of motorcycle fatalities involve head injuries. Little wonder why there’s so much focus on motorcyclists wearing helmets.
The report above shows that states with helmet laws could reduce their motorcycle fatality rates drastically. According to the CDC, helmets reduce fatality risk by 37% and head injury risk by 69%.
A traumatic brain injury (TBI) is one of the common types of head injuries from motorcycle crashes. It results from a violent blow to the head that affects the brain. TBI causes brain damage, memory loss, and coma. This type of injury requires urgent medical treatment.
Other common injuries result from motorcycle collisions include:
- Spinal Cord Injury
Many motorcycle accident victims suffer from spinal cord injuries. Common symptoms of this injury type include excruciating pain, numbness, and lack of coordination. It can also cause paralysis. Unfortunately, damage to the spinal cord is usually a permanent condition. Injury victims may have to rely on rehabilitation and assistive devices.
- Road Rash
Road rash is one of the most common motorcycle accident injuries that accident victims experience. It refers to abrasion due to friction. Although road rash can be very painful, it is not life-threatening.
However, in serious cases, it can lead to life-altering conditions. Wearing protective gear like knee pads, elbow guards, helmets, etc., can protect you from road rash.
- Biker’s Arm
Biker’s arm is nerve damage typically resulting from riders trying to protect themselves with their arms during a crash. While bracing for impact with your arms can protect the rest of your body, it may also damage your arms. Common symptoms of this injury include numbness, weakness, and pain in the affected arm and hand.
- Internal Bleeding
Many of the most devastating motor vehicle crash deaths involve internal bleeding. This can be due to penetrating trauma or blunt force trauma that damages internal organs and makes them bleed. Internal bleeding is life-threatening, especially without urgent medical attention.
Common internal bleeding symptoms include pain, swelling, bloody urine, vomiting, headache, etc. This type of injury can lead to shock.
- Blood Vessel Damage or Vascular Trauma
Motorcycle crashes can cause vascular trauma. This refers to a condition where there’s an injury to the blood vessel. Many times, blood vessel injuries will cause loss of blood through tears and punctures. It can also cause pain, scarring, and swelling. Without proper and urgent medical treatment, vascular trauma can become life-threatening.
- Broken Bones and Fractures
Broken bones/fractures are some of the common types of injuries victims sustain in Boston auto crashes. This happens when an external force overwhelms the bones. Fractures can be very painful and even fatal, depending on the affected area.
What Are the Leading Causes of Motorcycle Wrecks?
Many factors may be responsible for your motorcycle injury or accident in Boston. These are the most common ones:
- Risky Driving Behaviors
Every motorist owes other drivers a duty of care to ensure their safety on the road. However, many of them breach their responsibility by engaging in various types of risky behaviors like distracted driving. This refers to any activity that diverts your attention from the road while riding. According to the U.S Department of Transportation, distracted driving claimed 3,142 lives in 2019.
Another common adverse driver behavior is drunk driving. Motorists with drug or alcohol impairment cannot drive rationally or respond properly to emergencies on the road. According to the CDC, 29 people die every day from drunk driver traffic accidents. Other hazardous driving habits include speeding, tailgating, running red lights, drowsy driving, lane-splitting, etc.
Any time drivers fall to exercise reasonable care on the road, they put others at risk of severe injury. Regardless of the wound you sustain, you can make a legal claim against the negligent party. An aggressive lawyer will give you all the help you need.
- Uneven Surfaces and Other Road Hazards
Sometimes, a negligent driver isn’t solely to blame for motorcycle crashes. Dangerous roads can also contribute to such accidents. Uneven road surfaces due to railroad tracks, potholes, broken pavements, etc., makes it difficult for vehicles to move properly. It’s worse for motorcycles because they have less stability than other automobiles.
Other road hazards like debris and slippery surfaces can also increase the risk of auto accidents. Exercising extra caution as you pass through uneven surfaces reduces your risk of a motorcycle collision. So, it’s important to change directions upon encountering such adverse road conditions. When it’s impossible to change lanes, the next best option is slowing down as you navigate such terrains.
- Defective Product
A defective motorcycle part can cause devastating traffic crashes by making riders lose control of their bike. For example, brake defects make it difficult for riders to slow down in an emergency. Detective tires can blow out and cause catastrophic injuries. The negligent parties in a motorcycle accident due to manufacturing defects or defective designs are the manufacturers. Crash victims can file a personal injury claim against them.
- Inclement Weather
Adverse climatic conditions are some of the culprits in motorcycle and bicycle accidents. First, motorcycles are open vehicles and offer riders no protection from the elements. Motorcyclists who have to bear extreme temperatures as they move are barely in the right mental frame to ride. The risk of a traffic crash worsens when such climatic conditions combine with dangerous road conditions.
For example, motorcyclists who ride in rainstorms deal with slippery pathways. Heavy rain also makes potholes, debris, etc., less visible to the rider. Riding slowly and turning around are some of the best ways to avoid motorcycle crashes due to bad weather.
- Driver Inexperience
Driver inexperience is one of the common causes of Boston motorcycle accidents. This is especially when it involves a teenage motor vehicle crash. Teenage drivers between 16-19 are almost three times as likely to be in fatal motor vehicle crashes than older motorists.
There were 2,400 teenage crash deaths in 2019, and most of them were due to driver inexperience. Driver inexperience in teenagers makes it less likely to recognize hazardous conditions than older motorists. It also makes them more prone to fatal driving errors than other drivers. The risk of death in teenage driver accidents is generally higher in males than female drivers.
- Limited Visibility
As we mentioned earlier, motorcycles are less visible to other drivers on the road due to their small size. That’s especially when the motorcycle is in the driver’s blind spot or is obstructed by something. In such cases, even when a driver is paying attention, there is still a high possibility of hitting the motorcyclist.
As a motorcycle driver, you can increase your visibility by wearing bright, reflective clothing, especially at night. It’s also advisable to use high beams at night time.
Contact an Experienced Motorcycle Accident Attorney in Boston Immediately
Motorcycle crashes are one of the most devastating accidents you can encounter in Boston. From bodily injuries to property damage and emotional distress, the consequences can be overwhelming. You’ll often need intensive medical care and physical therapy to get your life back on track.
If driver negligence contributed to your motorcycle crash injuries and property damage, you could get a settlement for your losses. Your compensation will typically cover medical expenses, property damage, and loss of income. It may also include non-economic damages like loss of consortium, loss of enjoyment of life, etc.
If you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle wreck, contact an experienced Boston personal injury lawyer to handle your case. Whether you’re filing an injury claim or a wrongful death lawsuit, we can help you get the compensation you deserve. Schedule a free consultation with Michael Kelly Injury Lawyers today for legal advice on the next steps to take. We are always ready to fight for justice on your behalf in this difficult time.
