Causes of WV Motorcycle Accidents
Causes of WV Motorcycle Accidents (and Why It Matters)
Despite national and state-level initiatives in West Virginia (WV) to make roadways safer for motorcyclists, accidents causing injuries and fatalities continue to increase. Motorcycle accidents happen for a number of reasons. When riders are injured or killed due to someone else’s negligence or actions, establishing the causes of WV motorcycle accidents is essential to obtaining compensation for injury victims or surviving loved ones.
What Are the Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
To identify potential countermeasures to reduce or prevent motorcycle crashes, injuries, and fatalities, the Federal Highway Administration studied five years of data to compile the Motorcycle Crash Causation Study. The report looked at more than 1,900 elements that could be contributing factors in motorcycle accidents.
The report found perception or decision failures by drivers of other vehicles were the most common contributing factors in the accidents studied. Decision, reaction, and perception failures by motorcycle riders were less common, but still ranked in the top five contributing factors.
Specific factors contributing to motorcycle accidents reported in the study included the following:
- Attention failure/distraction;
- Improper traffic scan or faulty strategy;
- Aggressive or unsafe actions;
- Inexperience or skill deficiency;
- Speed, either too slow or too fast;
- Loss of control of the vehicle;
- Traffic or visual obstructions;
- Position or lane choice;
- Alcohol intoxication;
- Roadway design and maintenance issues; and
- Weather conditions.
The study provides helpful information to inform the ways motorcycle safety can be improved so fewer people suffer the often-tragic results of motorcycle accidents. The results of this study were incorporated into the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Motorcycle Safety 5-Year Plan.
Why Is It Important to Identify Causes of WV Motorcycle Accidents?
From a broad perspective, identifying the causes of motorcycle accidents and analyzing related data can inform strategies to improve motorcycle safety and prevent accidents.
It is also important to identify the cause or causes of individual accidents so the responsible parties are held liable for the resulting losses and costs of a crash. When a motorcycle accident is caused by someone else’s wrongful actions or failure to act, the injured party or parties are entitled to pursue compensation for their losses.
These damages can include payments to cover the costs of medical treatment, anticipated future medical expenses, lost wages, property damage, and pain and suffering. In some motorcycle accident cases, a settlement that appropriately compensates the injured person or people can be negotiated. In others, it may be necessary to take the case to trial to obtain the compensation that is due.
How Can a West Virginia Motorcycle Accident Attorney Help?
A West Virginia motorcycle accident attorney at Burke, Schultz, Harman and Jenkinson in Berkeley County can assess your case, help determine who was at fault, gather supporting evidence, negotiate with opposing parties, provide legal guidance, and represent you in proceedings and hearings.
To ensure you are fully compensated, our attorneys can consult with qualified expert witnesses who assess the nature and extent of motorcycle injuries in WV and determine what treatment will be needed in the long term. We can also work with experts in accident reconstruction and other related fields to identify the causes of WV motorcycle accidents and support those claims in testimony.
If you were injured or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident in West Virginia or Maryland, our Martinsburg motorcycle accident attorneys are ready to help. Call 304-263-0900 or complete our online contact form to schedule a free consultation.
