Motorcycle accidents result in entirely too many injuries and wrongful deaths in our city. When you are struck on a motorcycle, the injuries can change your life forever. If you are involved in one of these accidents, it is important to obtain legal representation as soon as possible so there is someone to look out for your best interests.
How Common are Motorcycle Accidents in Las Vegas
According to the latest figures from the Las Vegas Police Metropolitan Police Department, a full 25 percent of the traffic fatalities in our city in 2014 were motorcyclists. In 2012 19 motorcyclists were killed, in 2013 29 were killed, and at least 20 were killed in 2014. And these figures were released before one late-December motorcycle accident that led to injuries and fatalities.
Two Killed and Two Others Injured in Motorcycle Accident
The Las Vegas Review-Journal reports that two were willed and two were injured in a car versus motorcycle accident in late December. The accident happened on Valley View Boulevard near Desert Inn Road in the middle of the day. A Nissan Altima collided with a Yamaha motorcycle. The two vehicles remained together as they rolled. The driver of the motorcycle and the driver of the Altima, both in their mid-twenties, were killed. A 30-year-old woman and a baby were passengers in the car and were both taken to the hospital for treatment. While some witnesses say the motorcyclist was speeding, the cause of the accident has not yet been determined.
Most Motorcycle Accidents Actually Caused by Cars
Most motorcycle accidents are caused by cars, at least according to a Florida study. The Sun Sentinel reported last year that the Florida Department of Transportation had studied this issue, and had determined that cars were the cause of most motorcycle accidents. Usually the issue is that the larger vehicles fail to yield the right of way to the smaller motorcycles. The research was done by Chanyoung Lee, a senior researcher at the University of South Florida’s Center for Urban Transportation Research.
The Hurt Report
These findings make sense in light of earlier scientific findings. Back in 1981, the Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration released what is known as the “Hurt Report.” While the name seems apt because of the serious hurts sustained by those who are victims of motorcycle accidents, the report was actually named for its lead author, Harry Hurt. One of the key findings in this report shows that there is a widespread problem of those driving cars or trucks failing to yield the right of way to motorcycles because they do not see or even look for the bikes. While states have taken some measures to try to make drivers more aware of motorcyclists in the decade since these findings were initially published, the Florida study and the Las Vegas numbers show that this is still a serious problem.
In a Motorcycle Accident? Call Naqvi Injury Law
If you have been in a motorcycle accident, you have rights. Your insurance company may not always have your rights or your best interests in mind. You will need the help of an experienced Las Vegas personal injury attorney. Call the attorneys at Naqvi Injury Law today at (702)553-1000 to schedule a free consultation.