Philadelphia traffic can quickly remind motorcycle riders of why they are so vulnerable to other drivers on the road.
A motorcyclist’s worst enemy is a distracted, careless driver. In accidents, drivers often claim they didn’t see the motorcycle, but those drivers are responsible for taking a long enough look and checking mirrors properly to spot anyone else on the road. That extra glance can prevent a collision.
The most common instances of this inattention are seen in left-hand turn accidents. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) blames turning in front of traffic incidents for one-third of all motorcycle accidents.
Motorcycle Accident in Port Richmond
A tragic example of a left-hand turn accident happened in Philadelphia over the weekend. The victim was ejected from his motorcycle after being struck by a motorist on Saturday Night. CBS3TV reported on the accident and said it happened at the 4200 block of Aramingo Avenue, July 25, 2020.
Police say a Honda was approaching the on-ramp to I-95 and failed to yield the right of way when it turned left into the path of a Yamaha motorcycle leading to the collision. The man on the motorcycle was thrown from his bike and suffered leg injuries, internal injuries, and head trauma.
The victim was last reported in critical condition. The driver of the Honda remained on the scene. The investigation is ongoing.
Left-Hand Turns Lead to Motorcycle Accidents
These left-hand turn accidents occur as drivers are turning left in front of traffic coming from the right. Generally, drivers check to see if any vehicles are approaching from the right and then proceed. They can totally miss a motorcyclist, think it’s clear for a left turn, and pull out in front of a biker. The biker is usually forced into a collision with the side of the vehicle or the back of the car.
These collisions can be devastating for the rider. Of course, motorcyclists are always at more risk for injury on the road due to the lack of protection the bike provides them. The NHTSA found that 80% of motorcycle accidents end with injury or death for the rider. If a rider is thrown from the motorcycle the injuries are usually even more severe.
These accidents can leave a motorcyclist facing a long recovery and trying to figure out how to get bills paid. If another driver caused the accident, then a victim should expect to get compensation to help with medical costs and lost wages.
In Philadelphia, a victim faces a two-year deadline to file a claim against at-fault drivers and their insurance companies. This decision should be made as soon as possible because the more time that passes from the accident date the harder it will be to gather evidence and documents needed to prove a claim.
Contact a Philadelphia Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If you or a loved one was injured in a motorcycle accident and you have further questions about the laws regarding your case, please take the time to discuss your options with an experienced Philadelphia attorney.
After any accident involving a serious injury, contact a highly rated Philadelphia Motorcycle Accident Lawyer such as Edith Pearce. Unlike the huge firms with dozens of attorneys and many different attorneys handling different aspects of your case, Edith Pearce is personally involved in every case that we handle. She genuinely cares about her clients and you will not be treated like just another case or file.
