As the weather warms up, motorcycle riders enjoy getting out on the road. Responsible riders protect themselves and others as best they can, by wearing helmets, watching out for obstructions in the road, being careful around other vehicles and so on. Still, there’s only so much a a motorcyclist can do to protect themselves from careless drivers.
Should a careless car or truck driver collide with a motorcycle, the result can easily be serious injury or even death for the person on two wheels, even if the car or truck diver walks away without a scratch.
Motorcycle accident statistics in Indiana
According to the Insurance Information Institute, there were 2,698 motorcycle accidents reported in Indiana in 2019, the most recent year for which statistics are available. Of these, 1,818 resulted in injury to the motorcyclist. In 112 of these accidents, the motorcyclist was killed. More than 1,500 of these accidents were listed as multi-vehicle accidents.
The Insurance Information Institute researchers did not study the cause of all these accidents, but other studies have found that most multi-vehicle accidents involving motorcycles occur when another driver fails to see a motorcyclist and violates their right of way.
In such cases, there’s often nothing the motorcyclist could have done to avoid the accident. Because motorcyclists are exposed to the elements, and don’t have all the safety features enjoyed by car drivers, any collision at high speeds is likely to result in serious injury or death.
Negligence and liability
Motorcyclists who are injured in an accident are left with enormous medical bills and other damages. They may never be able to work again. They may face a lifetime of pain and immobility. In cases of fatal accidents, their families will be left without their income and companionship.
When these damages are the result of an accident caused by another driver’s negligence, the injured or their families may hold the negligent party liable for their damages.
These cases are difficult, but they can be incredibly important in making sure that the injured and their families have the resources they need to carry on after a terrible accident.