On Tuesday, March 13, 2018, a woman riding a motorcycle was seriously injured in a crash involving a pickup truck near Spokane Valley. Although it hasn’t been confirmed yet, police believe this accident may have been caused by the truck driver’s failure to give the motorcyclist the right of way.
What Happened?
According to KHQ-Q6, this crash happened between Highway 27 and Elder Road around 4PM. The motorcyclist, who was driving a Harley Davidson FLHX, was traveling northbound on Highway 27 when the crash occurred. Allegedly, the driver of a 2008 Dodge Ram 1500 travelling in the opposite direction pulled into Elder Road and hit the motorcyclist.
When rescue crews arrived on the scene, they immediately transported the biker to a local hospital. Although news reports say she suffered major injuries, as far as we know these injuries weren’t life threatening. The driver of the Dodge Ram suffered no injuries. While safety crews aren’t totally sure, they believe the main cause of this crash was the truck driver’s failure to yield while turning left onto Elder Road.
Motorcycle Accidents In USA
Sadly, a car driver’s failure to yield to a biker is one of the most common causes of motorcycle accidents. In fact, a recent study out of the U.S. Department of Transportation found that 65 percent of all motorcycle-related accidents are directly caused by a car driver’s failure to yield.
There are a few reasons why these accidents are so prevalent. The first is that bikers don’t have much time to react after a car pulls out in front of them. Even if the biker slams the breaks, s/he often ends up hitting the side of the car that is turning in. The second major reason is that car driver’s often complain they don’t notice bikes coming from far distances.
Motorcyclists deserve the same respect as car drivers. Since motorbikes don’t provide as much protection as cars, drivers should strive to be courteous and cautious around bikers on the road.
Call A Motorcycle Accident Lawyer In Your Time Of Need
Unfortunately, many insurance companies have a bias against motorcyclists. Since motorcycles don’t have the protections of a car, it’s easy for insurance companies to give you far less than you deserve in the case of an accident. After a motorcycle crash, they often try to place some or all of the blame on the biker. The best way to get the medical and financial coverage you’re legally entitled to after a motorcycle accident is often to contact a Spokane Motorcycle Accident Lawyer.
Motorcyclists have the same rights as any other vehicle on the road. If you’re involved in a serious accident like the one listed above, don’t hesitate to give us a call for legal advice.
