With spring weather finally arriving, more motorcyclists are out on the roads. The chances of a Massachusetts motorcycle crash happening goes up.
In one Westhampton motorcycle accident earlier this week, a 26-year-old Chester, MA man died after he lost control of his bike, crashing. Gregory Asher was pronounced dead at a Northampton hospital.
Just two days before, another rider sustained serious injuries in a Palmer, MA motorcycle accident when his bike collided with a car that was turning right into a Friendly’s parking lot. The motorcyclist, who was thrown off the bike, suffered a leg injury. The driver of the car, which was a Toyota Camry, was given a citation for not yielding the right of way.
Aside from the fact that there are more motorcyclists on the road, poor road conditions because of the winter weather can take a toll. New potholes, as well as gravel, salt, and sand from the previous snow can make road surfaces challenging for riders, especially inexperienced ones. It doesn’t help that a lot of car drivers sometimes forget that thee are supposed to safely ‘share the road’ with motorcycle riders—a reason for the “Share the Road” campaigns over the year to help promote greater motorcyclist awareness.
In Massachusetts, contact our Boston motorcycle accident lawyers today.
Common causes of motorcycle crashes:
- Head-on crashes involving other vehicles
- Getting hit by a car making a left-hand turn
- Lane splitting
- Rear-end crashes
- Speeding
- Drunk driving
- Distracted driving
- Single-bike accidents
- Poor road conditions
- Accidents involving motorcycles and non-moving objects
- Motorcycle defects or malfunctions
Motorcycle riders often get a bad rap for their supposed speeding and other bad behavior on the road. However, many motorcyclists, aware of the higher risks involved from riding a motorbike, are very careful.
Because they have little protection beyond their helmet and any protective clothing, motorcyclists are prone to serious injuries, including concussions, head trauma, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, biker’s arm, road burns, road rash, soft tissue damage, broken bones, disfigurement, and death.
Contact Altman & Altman, LLP today.
Victim of fatal Westhampton motorcycle crash identified, CBS3Springfield, April 13, 2015
Motorcyclist injured in accident in Palmer, WWLP, April 11, 2015