Motorists should always pay attention to the traffic that is in front of them. While it can be easy to zone out while driving, motorists that stay alert can avoid unnecessary accidents and injuries. When drivers fail to notice a motorcycle on the roadway, they risk tremendous damage. Even accidents at low speeds can cause life altering and fatal injuries.
Recently, a West Seattle man was killed while riding on Vashon Highway. The 62-year-old man was riding his motorcycle when he was rear ended. According to reports, a driver hit the back of his motorcycle as he was stopped to turn left.
Police are investigating the fatal motorcycle wreck and have yet to determine if criminal charges will be brought against the woman who hit the motorcyclist. However, police do not believe that the woman was under the influence of alcohol or drugs when the accident occurred. They have said that the speed on the highway reduces from 50 miles-per-hour to 35 mph in the area where the accident occurred.
Whether or not drivers expect motorcyclists to be present in a particular area, drivers of larger cars and trucks need to be on the lookout for motorcycles. As the weather gets nicer, motorcycle sightings are likely to increase. Fatal accidents are common when cars fail to notice motorcycles or fail to yield to the right of way of a motorcycle.
When drivers fail to notice motorcycles, or are otherwise negligent, they can be held financially responsible for the damage that they cause. Through a personal injury suit, motorcyclists can be compensated for the injuries – including burns, broken bones and head injuries – suffered as a result of an accident. When a motorcyclist dies as a result of a crash, that motorcyclist’s family can consider a wrongful death suit.
Source: Vashon-Maury Island Beachcomber, “Motorcyclist dies in car accident on Vashon Highway,” Natalie Martin, April 28, 2014