On a June evening a northbound traveling motorcycle was driving straight when a vehicle driving southbound took a left hand turn directly in front of the motorcycle.
The motorcycle was struck and the driver was injured.
While these types of accidents often result in at least one fatality (usually the motorcyclist) the motorcyclist in this event was still conscious and talking when medical personnel arrived. The driver was taken for a medical evaluation.
Why Are Left-Hand Accidents So Common?
Left hand turning vehicles often do not see motorcyclists because motorcycles are smaller and therefore less visible than other vehicles on the road.
Other factors which may come into play include driver inattention, driver distraction, blindspots, and even stress (making a left hand turn is more stressful to many drivers and so they want to get it over with – quickly).
Though this accident occurred in the Reno area, the majority of fatal accidents in Nevada (according to Nevada Department of Transportation 2010 data) occurred in Clark County. Out of the 44 fatal motorcycle accidents in the state, 30 were in Clark County.
Additional interesting DOT statistics from 2010 include:
- 1040 motorcycles were involved in traffic accidents in Nevada in 2010
- Motorcycles accidents are more likely to cause injury and death, with 79% of accidents resulting in injuries and 4.6% being fatal. As a comparison, for accidents involving four door sedans, 37% resulted in injuries and only 0.25% were fatal
- Motorcycles were only involved in 1.08% of all collisions, but they accounted for 13.04% of fatal collisions
What to Do If Involved in a Motorcycle Accident
If you have been involved in any type of motorcycle accident, the first step is to seek medical attention and to retain records of all treatment. If you are able, document the accident by taking pictures, gathering the names of everyone involved (as well as the plate number and insurance information from other drivers) and making your own notes about what happened.
If you are injured or the other party has insufficient insurance to cover your losses, legal assistance may necessary. The David Boehrer Law Firm has advocated for victims of motorcycle-related accidents for well over a decade here in Nevada and we are committed to seeking justice for victims.
Should you be facing a serious crisis or want to discuss your case, you can speak with a knowledgeable and compassionate attorney at David Boehrer Law Firm today by calling (702) 750-0750.