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A 37-year-old woman struck and killed a man riding a motorcycle around 9 p.m., Sunday, May 5, 2019. Police say that the woman was driving a pickup truck and pulled out in front of the motorcycle on Rice Road.

The rider was taken to a local hospital, but soon died from his injuries. According to police, officers smelled alcohol on her breath and she had bloodshot watery eyes and slurred speech. She also admitted to drinking one bourbon ale beer before driving.

Police said they will meet with the Fayette County Commonwealth’s Attorney to discuss further charges.

Motorcycle DUI Crashes

Motorcycle riders are at a higher risk of serious injury and death than a typical car driver. According to a report from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, a motorcycle rider is 28 times more likely than occupants of other vehicles to die in an accident. The same increase in risk is associated with serious injuries.

There are two primary reasons for this. First, a motorcycle rider doesn’t have the same protection than does a passenger vehicle occupant. Even a slight bump can cause a motorcycle to tip and the driver to eject from the bike. Also, in almost all motorcycle crashes, there are two at least two impacts than can cause serious injury: the initial impact and a secondary one where the rider hits the pavement.

Second, many car drivers are affected by a phenomenon called “tunneling” where they look right at a motorcyclist, cyclist or pedestrian and don’t “see” then. This puts motorcycle riders and their passengers at great risk as drivers often violate their right-of-way.

Impairment

Around 5,000 motorcyclists are killed each year, and out of those over 58 percent are alcohol-related. 28 percent of the deaths happen when the motorcycle operator is impaired and around 30 percent happened when the other driver is impaired.

The shows that motorcycle riders are at a significant risk of being killed or seriously injured in an alcohol-related crash.

Causes of Motorcycle Deaths

When motorcyclists die in accidents, there are certain patterns that arise because of the dynamics of a motorcycle crash.  By far the leading cause of motorcycle deaths is a severe head injury—even when a helmet is worn. The reason for this is the exposure of the head when riding a motorcycle. The bike offers some protection to the chest and lower torso, but the head has only the helmet for protection—if the rider wears one.

The leading causes of injuries that result in death on a motorcycle are:

  • Catastrophic craniocerebral injury (head injury)
  • Severe thoracic spine injury
  • Chest injury
  • Lower abdominal injury
  • Organ failure

Compensation for Motorcycle Death Accidents

When a motorcycle rider is killed in an auto accident, it leaves the survivors with considerable emotional pain and loss. Eventually, this will also translate to financial loss as medical and burial expenditures come due. Then there is the loss of income first from the family members who are tending to the injured member, and then any loss of income that the deceased would have brought in to the household.

Do I need an Attorney?

While it’s not always necessary to hire an attorney to represent you in your wrongful death claim, it is smart to at least talk to one. Most people haven’t had to go through this process before, so mistakes can be made, and unfortunately, one seemingly small mistake can cost thousands in compensation.

Call the attorneys at Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC, for a free consultation to and a case evaluation. Then if you decide to hire an attorney, they have experienced and skilled attorney who will stand with you and get you the compensation you deserve.

When you call Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC, at 800 937-8443, you will immediately speak to a member of the legal team and not a message machine. You can also Live Chat with an expert who can immediately began helping you with your claim.

 

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