As many Colorado residents gear up for motorcycle rides to enjoy the months of relatively good weather that still remain, they should remember to always keep safety in mind. Unlike an enclosed vehicle, a motorcycle provides minimal protection for a rider in the event of an accident. However, motorists also need to do their part in avoiding motorcycle accidents, which frequently injure or even kill riders, as a recent accident in Colorado Springs demonstrates.
According to Colorado Springs police officers, a 48-year-old man riding his motorcycle shortly before 5:00 p.m. collided with a Jeep that turned directly in front of him at the intersection of Research Parkway and Chapel Hills Drive. The rider was pronounced dead at the scene even though he had been wearing a helmet. He reportedly had just left a nearby Wal-Mart, where he worked as the store manager. There is no word from police on whether or not the 38-year-old motorist behind the wheel of the Jeep would be cited. The investigation into the accident is ongoing.
As this motorcycle accident shows, riders generally fare poorly in a collision with another vehicle. Most motorists are protected by their vehicles, but riders have minimal protection, usually only in the form of helmets and jackets. In the event of a fall or accident, they are often left exposed to traffic and can be hit and injured, or even killed by cars and trucks. Motorists, of course, should be cautious around motorcyclists and avoid such acts of negligence as drunken driving, distracted driving and disregarding traffic rules.
When a motorcycle accident does occur due because a motorist who was careless or negligent, an accident victim can hold that party accountable through legal action. A personal injury lawsuit can help a victim receive financial compensation to help cover accident-related expenses, such as medical treatment and lost wages. Surviving family members can file wrongful death lawsuits on behalf of someone who is killed in an accident.