Providence Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
Some say motorcycle fatalities are on a downward trend in Rhode Island, but it’s hard to tell. It seems on average that a dozen people lose their lives in fatal Rhode Island motorcycle accidents every year. Also, Rhode Island reported the largest increase of motorcycle deaths in the country from 2016 to 2017, according to the 2017 Motorcyclist Traffic Fatalities by State report of the Governors Highway Safety Association. Motorcycles make up only three percent of all registered vehicles and account for only .6% of all vehicle miles traveled nationally, but motorcyclists have the highest fatality rate of all motor vehicle operators.
When motorcycle riders are injured or worse because of the negligence or distracted driving of a motor vehicle operator, Providence motorcycle accident lawyer Michael Kiselica helps injury victims and their families recover an appropriate amount of compensation from those responsible for the accident. The Kiselica Law Firm serves victims of serious and catastrophic personal injury throughout Rhode Island, and we only charge a fee after we recover compensation on your behalf.
What makes motorcycle accidents so dangerous for the rider?
By some reports, motorcycle riders are 26 times more likely to die in a collision than the driver or passenger of an automobile. Cars are made better and better every year at protecting their occupants in a crash, but there is very little motorcycle manufacturers can do to improve the safety of the rider. Riders are exposed to impact with nothing to protect them save the bike itself and any helmet or leathers they happen to be wearing. Motorcycle riders are therefore susceptible to catastrophic injuries in the event of a motorcycle accident, including:
- Fractures
- Spinal Cord Injury
- TBI & Concussion Injuries
- Amputation Injuries
- Wrongful Death
What are the leading causes of motorcycle accidents in Rhode Island?
A motorcyclist’s own error or a poorly designed or maintained road may be the cause of a motorcycle accident, but most motorcycle accidents, including the most serious or deadly, are caused by the negligence of an automobile driver who collides with the motorcycle or runs the motorcyclist off the road. The most common driving mistakes that lead to motorcycle accidents are:
- Distracted driving – Motorcycles are harder to see because of their size, and since there are fewer motorcycles on the road than cars, they are not always foremost in the driver’s mind. Driver inattention causes a driver to fail to see a motorcycle before it is too late to avoid an accident.
- Making a left turn into the path of an oncoming bike – The driver may not notice the motorcycle approaching or may misjudge the speed or distance of the bike.
- Failing to signal or check a blind spot before changing lanes
What makes motorcycle accident cases hard to win?
Unfortunately, insurance companies and juries alike often possess an inherent bias against motorcycles. It’s less likely that these people ride motorcycles themselves or have a member of the family who does, so they do not relate personally to the motorcyclist. This makes it easier for the insurance company to blame the accident, at least in part, on the motorcycle rider. Under Rhode Island’s comparative negligence rules, any percentage of negligence allocated to the injury victim reduces the amount of compensation the victim can recover. At the Kiselica Law Firm, we fight just as hard keeping our clients from being unfairly blamed for the accident as we do proving the other driver’s fault and liability. Our goal is always to get the best and fairest result for our clients, and we don’t let insurance company tricks and tactics stand in our way.
What can a motorcycle rider do to stay safe on the road?
- Wear a DOT-approved helmet
- Ride with the headlamp light on at all times
- Ensure signal lamps are working, and signal turns and lane changes well in advance
- Wear protective clothing
- Keep space between yourself and other vehicles on the road
- Drive defensively
- Stay calm even when another driver is driving carelessly, reckless or aggressively around you
- Adjust your riding according to traffic patterns and road and weather conditions
When Motorcycle Accidents Happen, Call Rhode Island Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Michael Kiselica
Without a doubt, all the safe riding practices in the world cannot always protect you from a negligent driver. If you or a loved one has been hurt in a Rhode Island motorcycle accident, call the Kiselica Law Firm at 401-421-0300 for a free consultation with an experienced and successful Providence motorcycle accident lawyer.
