Injury Law Group Blog

Motorcycle Accidents

Auto Accidents

Over the last few months in Windsor-Essex County, motorcycle accidents have unfortunately been a frequent occurrence. On April 1, 2015, at the Lauzon Road and McHugh Street Intersection, there was a collision between a car and a motorcycle. The car was heading southbound on Lauzon Road and hit the motorcycle. There was severe damage to the front and passenger side of the car, and the motorcycle rider was left with very serious fractures, therefore requiring the accident reconstruction team to be brought in. Then, on June 4, 2015, a collision on Chilver Road and Richmond Street between a motorcycle and a van occurred. Investigations suggested that the van was travelling south on Chilver and approaching Richmond, and the motorcycle was heading west on Richmond. On Chilver Road, there is a stop sign for vehicles. The collision caused the motorcyclist to suffer a skull fracture requiring surgery. On June 22, 2015, there was a motorcyclist killed and his passenger was also taken to the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries after a collision on North Talbot Road in Lakeshore. A car was travelling east on North Talbot, when a westbound motorcycle crossed into the eastbound lane and hit the car. The driver of the car was not injured. On July 28, 2015, another fatal crash occurred. Allegedly, the cause of the accident was the distracted driving of a 22-year-old driver, as he was likely using his phone when he hit the back of the motorcycle. The 22-year old driver is being charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle causing death and criminal negligence causing death. Police are investigating if alcohol was a factor, and the driver is banned from driving and cannot drink alcohol until the matter is resolved. Investigations determined that both of the vehicles were heading west in the curb lane towards Jefferson, and the car hit the back of the motorcycle, throwing the rider off of the bike and causing the death of a 66-year-old man. This serves as another example of the importance of not driving distracted and making sure to always focus on the road. On August 4, 2015 another motorcyclist was injured in a crash on the East Side. At the intersection of Tecumseh Road East and Jos. St. Louis, Avenue, a motorcycle and a car collided, sending the driver of the motorcycle to the hospital with minor injuries.

According to the Ontario Provincial Police, motorcycle related deaths are close to reaching a seven year high. Motorcycle safety and road safety in general is imperative to preventing these types of crashes. The consequences of a car, truck or motorcycle accident may include traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and other catastrophic injuries that change one’s life forever.

The Canada Safety Council recommends the following eight tips for motorcycle safety:

1. Take professional rider training.  There is no substitute for a skilled rider with a proper safety attitude.
2. Wear an approved motorcycle helmet and fasten it properly.  Most crashes happen at speeds around 50km/h and helmets are very effective at preventing head injuries at those speeds.
3. Wear highly visible clothing (especially at night) and make sure that your headlight is functioning properly.  Always wear protective clothing and protective gear.
4. Communicate with drivers in other vehicles by using proper signals, lane positions and brake lights.  Try to establish eye contact with the other drivers whenever possible.
5. Keep an adequate space cushion when following, being followed, sharing your lane, passing other vehicles or being passed.   Slow down and respect the hazards of speed according to road and weather conditions.  Many single vehicle motorcycle collisions occur from speeding and losing control in a curve or in a situation of unpredictable vehicle behaviour.
6. Scan your course of travel 12 to 15 seconds ahead so you can identify and avoid potential hazards.  Predict what you might do if a dangerous situation presents itself.  This gives you time to mentally prepare a safe outcome.  You can also practice evasive maneuvers under supervision in secluded areas, to develop instinctive reactions.
7. Remain alert, keep hydrated and pace yourself.  Your motorcycle driving is directly related to your physical and mental state.  Also, always look twice before advancing through intersections.   It may save you from a collision with “red-light runners” or “left turners”.
8. Limit the distance of your trip.  A distance of 300 to 500 km/day will let you enjoy the trip and stop for much needed breaks.

(Retrieved from https://canadasafetycouncil.org/traffic-safety/motorcycle-safety-spring)

If you have been involved in a motor vehicle accident, contact Injury Law Group for a free initial consultation at 226-674-1000 to discuss obtaining compensation for losses and damages.

To read more about these and other motorcycle accidents, visit the following link: click here