A crash involving an SUV and a motorcycle in Paducah injured two people on July 16, 2018.
According to Wave 3 News, this crash happened at 5:35PM on the intersection of 32nd Street and Lorine Lane. Allegedly, the driver of a Land Rover was trying to turn onto Lorine Lane as a motorcyclist traveling north struck the SUV. The force of the impact threw the driver and passenger off of their motorcycle.
First-responders transported the motorcyclist and the passenger to a local hospital for treatment. The driver and passenger in the SUV, however, didn’t sustain any injuries from the crash. Police are still investigating the cause of this accident.
Safety Essentials For Passengers On Motorcycles
Before any motorcyclist rides with a passenger behind him/her, s/he should have a few years of riding experience. Indeed, in the state of Kentucky, you’re not allowed to travel with a passenger if you only have a motorcycle permit.
If you want to apply for a motorcycle license, then you need to have had a permit for a minimum of one month. You will also need to go through a professional motorcycle rider education course and present your certificate of completion to the DMV before getting your license.
It’s critical to ensure your motorcycle has been designed to handle the extra weight of another passenger. Passengers on motorcycles need to be tall enough to reach the footrests and must keep their feet there at all times. It’s also imperative for passengers to hold onto the driver’s waist or handholds for extra support.
Motorcyclists driving with a passenger have to realize that it will take more time to safely brake and speed up. This is especially important to keep in mind when making turns because the added weight of a passenger increases the odds of serious injuries when making sharp, fast turns.
Also, please remember that it’s illegal in Kentucky for a passenger not to wear a DOT-approved helmet while on a motorcycle. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that helmets reduce the risk of death for motorcyclists by almost 40 percent.
Injured As A Passenger? Get The Tiger!
Passenger injuries on a motorcycle are far more severe than in a passenger vehicle. A few common injuries include traumatic brain damage, neck fractures, and spinal cord issues. It could take years to recover from these injuries, and you will need financial assistance to cover time lost at work and medical expenses.
If you’ve been seriously injured as a passenger, you owe it to yourself to call Kaufman & Stigger, PLLC for a free consultation at (800) 937-8443.
