Fatal Motorcycle Accidents in Oklahoma
The risk of suffering a fatal injury in a motorcycle accident is disproportionately high, especially in comparison to the number of motorcycles that are actually on the road. This is mainly due to the fact that motorcycles are simply not very crashworthy, as they lack the balance of a four wheeled vehicle, are far less visible than other passenger cars, and offer little protection to riders in the way of a vehicle frame, airbags, or seat belts.
The Risks of Motorcycle Accident Fatalities
According to accident data and fatalities by vehicle type, motorcyclists are 21 times more likely to suffer a fatal injury in the event of a crash. Tragically, an estimated 6,222 motorcyclists died in collisions in 2022 alone, which represents the highest number recorded and a 23 percent increase over the prior year. Although there are far fewer motorcycles on the roads than other passenger vehicles, motorcyclist deaths still account for 15 percent of all vehicle crash fatalities in the U.S.
Why Motorcycle Accident Fatalities Are So Common
Motorcycle accidents almost always result in more severe injuries than accidents involving only passenger vehicles. Sadly, many of these injuries end up proving fatal. The primary reason that motorcyclists face such a high risk of injury is the structure of motorcycles themselves, as they lack a protective shell. This means that if a motorcyclist is involved in a crash, there is nothing between him or her and the impact of the crash. Furthermore, motorcyclists usually suffer a second impact when they are thrown from their motorcycles, so even if they were fortunate enough to avoid a catastrophic injury upon actually colliding with another car or object, they are rarely so lucky upon striking the ground.
Damages in Fatal Motorcycle Accidents
The damages incurred by motorcycle accident victims are usually high, as motorcyclists rarely sustain what could be considered a minor injury. This is doubly true when the victim’s injuries prove fatal. In these cases, the surviving family members of the victim can file what is known as a wrongful death lawsuit against the person responsible for their loved one’s death. While each case is unique, potential damages could include compensation for:
- Medical expenses incurred while treating the victim’s injuries;
- The victim’s lost income and benefits;
- Funeral and burial costs;
- The pain and suffering endured by the victim prior to his or her death;
- The loss of household services provided by the deceased; and
- The emotional distress and loss of companionship experienced by the surviving family members.
While no amount of money can compensate a grieving family for the untimely loss of a loved one, recovering compensation from an at-fault party after an avoidable collision can go a long way towards covering medical bills and other debts while the family attempts to recover.
Contact Levinson Law, P.C. Today
If you lost a loved one in a motorcycle crash, you are undoubtedly feeling overwhelmed and unsure of your next steps. Our experienced and compassionate Tulsa motorcycle accident lawyers are here to help. Please call Levinson Law, P.C. at 918-492-4433 to discuss your case with a member of our legal team today.
Sources:
iihs.org/topics/fatality-statistics/detail/motorcycles-and-atvs
oksenate.gov/sites/default/files/2019-12/os23.pdf
