Indiana Injury Lawyer Blog

The Wayne County Prosecutor's Office is expected to look into a deadly Motorcycle Crash. The Indiana Vehicle Accident Lawyers at Crossen Kooi can report the victim was identified as 41-year old Robert Staley from Richmond, Indiana. His motorcycle apparently collided with a car Sunday night on United States 40. 23 year old Allen Drook was driving the car.

Wayne County's sheriff says Drook told officers he didn't notice Staley's motorcycle because its headlight was off. The Vehicle Crash apparently happened when Drook's car collided with Staley's motorcycle as it turned in front of it. Staley died instantly.

Motorcycles often find themselves involved in deadly Vehicle Crashes. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that in 2005, 4,553 motorcycle riders died as a result of a crash. However, the majority of the riders were not alone on the road when the accidents occurred. Researchers found 56% of those fatal accidents were from collisions involving multiple vehicles. And 89% of those were simply two-vehicle accidents. Thus, it only takes one other vehicle on the road to increase the risk of a deadly motorcycle accident. Additionally, more often than not, that other vehicle is a passenger car.

Researchers with the NHTSA looked at trends in these deadly Motorcycle Crashes and found for the accidents involving a passenger vehicle and a motorcycle, 35% of the passenger car's driver-related factor was not yielding the right of way. Motorcycle riders were only to blame for not yielding the right of way 4% of the time. Also, about 70% of two vehicle accidents involving motorcycles happened from May to October. Officials determined that was because those months are during peak motorcycle riding season.

Officials also examined the point of impact in motorcycle accidents. In 2009, 36.6% of fatal Motorcycle Crashes involving a motor vehicle such as a passenger car had the front as the initial point of impact. Left or right sides only accounted for about 6% of the deadly collisions. And the rear made up 3.6% of deadly motorcycle crashes.

Motorcycle helmet use can be a huge factor in the severity of injuries if a crash occurs. Helmet laws do vary by state, though. Indiana Motorcycle Accident Lawyers are knowledgeable on our state's laws concerning helmet use. The law applies to motorcycle riders who are 17 years old or younger and does cover all low-powered vehicles.