What Are the Leading Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Kentucky?

May 12, 2021

For many, motorcycles are an enjoyable, integral part of life. That said, they are – by their very nature – more dangerous than most other types of vehicles. They are more difficult to control, they offer much less protection, and they are more difficult to see because of their smaller profile.

While these factors certainly reinforce how important it is for motorcyclists to prioritize safety while on the road, they also speak to the fact that other drivers on the road need to be attentive and cautious while driving, which includes keeping an eye out for motorcycles.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident and believe the accident was the fault of the other driver, we encourage you to reach out to an experienced motorcycle accident attorney in Kentucky to discuss how you may be able to recover compensation.

Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

Too often, motorcycle accidents are caused by drivers of other vehicles who don’t see them because they aren’t paying enough attention. This leads to them:

Pulling out in front of motorcycles
Cutting them off with quick lane changes
Making left-hand turns into motorcycles

While the damage caused by these accidents is often minor for the other vehicles, it can be deadly for motorcyclists and their passengers – a fact that is reinforced by statewide data year after year.

Kentucky Motorcycle Crash Statistics

Kentucky Traffic Safety Data Services (KTSDS) publishes traffic data every year. While they have yet to release 2020 data, their 2019 data is available and provides much insight into motorcycle accidents across the state. Some of the more notable takeaways include:

In 2019, there were 1,460 motorcycles involved in collisions.
There were 1,028 motorcyclists and passengers injured and 86 fatalities across these accidents.
While motorcycle accidents represented only 0.6% of total accidents, they represented 7.43% of all vehicle accident fatalities.

Clearly, this data shows just how deadly motorcycle accidents can be and just how important it is that we all prioritize the safety of ourselves and others while on the road.

What Is the Kentucky Helmet Law?

In Kentucky, motorcyclists are only required to wear a helmet if:

You are under 21
You have an instruction permit
You have had your motorcycle license for less than a year

That said, it’s always a good idea to wear a helmet whenever riding. The data is simply too strong:

Wearing a helmet reduces the chance of rider fatality by 22 to 37 percent, according to The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
According to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, “when the universal helmet law was repealed in Kentucky in 1998, motorcycle fatalities increased by over 50 percent.”
37 out of 100 motorcycle fatalities that occurred when a rider wasn’t wearing a helmet could be avoided if all of these riders had worn helmets.

Hence, while helmets can be hot and uncomfortable, the stakes are simply too high to leave them at home.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

It is no surprise that motorcycle accidents can lead to traumatic, life-altering injuries, including:|

The medical bills associated with these injuries, along with the additional costs and pain and suffering, are often substantial.

If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle wreck, it is in your best interest to seek legal support from an experienced motorcycle accident attorney. A seasoned lawyer can guide you through the legal process and help you pursue the maximum compensation you need and deserve.

Safety Tips for Motorcyclists

While the most important thing you can do is wear a helmet, this is by no means the only way you can stay safer while riding. Some others include:

Wear additional safety equipment: Road rash can be a very serious injury, leading to extended medical treatment and even skin grafts. Wearing thick clothing, such as denim or leather, along with boots and gloves, can help minimize these injuries if you are in an accident.
Be more visible: It is also smart to add some reflection to your riding gear to make you more visible, whether that be wearing a brightly colored jacket or adding some reflective tape to your clothing.
Ride defensively: You should never assume that a driver can see you, meaning you should avoid being in drivers’ blind spots, change lanes slowly, and be prepared for drivers making left turns in front of you or cutting into your lane.

Contact a Motorcycle Accident Lawyer in Louisville Today

While the tips listed above can help you avoid wrecks and mitigate the severity of accidents, the unfortunate truth is that drivers’ negligence makes avoiding all motorcycle accidents impossible. If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle crash in Kentucky because of someone else’s negligence, our experienced Louisville motorcycle accident lawyer wants to hear your story.

See what our clients say about us.
Contact the Karl Truman Law Office today online or at (502) 222-2222 for a free case evaluation.