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Look twice for motorcycles

On Behalf of | May 3, 2019 | Personal Injury |

Spring has sprung in Kentucky and Ohio. As riding season swings into full gear, it is important for us all to look twice for motorcyclist.

The National Motorcycle Institute completed a five-year study of the number of motorcycle rider fatalities compared to passenger vehicle fatalities in the US. The study used data obtained by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and found between 2012 and 2016, for every 100 million miles traveled on a motorcycle there are on average 22.5 deaths. However, for same miles traveled in a passenger vehicle there were only 0.583 deaths. Based on this data, it is 38.5 times more dangerous to ride on a motorcycle mile for mile. Kentucky’s five-year average is 96 motorcyclist deaths per year and Ohio averages 159 deaths per year.

There are a number of reasons motorcyclists are involved in accidents. One thing we can all do to help avoid an accident with a motorcycle is to consciously look out for motorcycles, especially during the riding season. The extra second it takes to look over your shoulder could save a life and yourself from a wrongful death or personal injury claim of a motorcyclist.

If you are involved in an accident on a motorcycle, you may learn that the at-fault party and/or yourself does not have enough insurance to cover the catastrophic medical bills, injuries, and damages that often result from a motorcycle crash. Many Kentucky motorcyclists do not realize that they are not entitled to basic reparations “PIP” benefits from any source unless they specifically purchase PIP coverage. This is also true for any motorcycle passenger in Kentucky.

As a motorcyclist, it is always a good idea to obtain as much insurance coverage as possible including UM/UIM and PIP coverage (KY). Ample coverage for uninsured (UM) and underinsured motorists (UIM) is important in case the at-fault motorist has minimum or insufficient insurance to pay for the serious injuries that often result from motorcycle crashes. It is important to examine your policy(s) to be aware of any motorcycle exclusions and coverages.

And don’t forget to Look Twice for Motorcycles while on the road this summer.