The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) estimates that motorcycle riders are 30+ times more likely to die in a motor vehicle collision compared to occupants of passenger cars. That is why motorcycle crashes tend to be more devastating and life-threatening than car accidents.

Every year, Lexington and other parts of Kentucky see about 1,300 injuries and more than 100 deaths in motorcycle collisions, according to the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC). According to the KYTC, an estimated more than half of the injured motorcycle riders and passengers are not wearing a helmet, and about 70% of the deaths are linked to the lack of the protective headgear. Regardless of your helmet use, you may be entitled to financial compensation for your motorcycle accident injuries. Speak with a Lexington motorcycle accident lawyer at Roberts Law Office to pursue a claim.

Motorcycle Crash in Lexington

One such collision has recently happened on I-75 South in Lexington. According to the WKYT, the crash occurred on August 30 at the 118-mile marker. As a result, two people who were on the motorcycle sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The rider and passenger were hospitalized. Traffic was backed up into Scott County after the motorcycle crash on I-75 South.It is not immediately clear whether the motorcyclist and passenger were wearing a helmet at the time of the crash.

Helmet Law in Kentucky

Since Kentucky’s motorcycle helmet law was amended in 1998, bike riders and passengers are not required to wear the protective gear unless they:

  • Are under the age of 21;
  • Possess a motorcycle instruction permit; or
  • Have had a bike operator’s license for less than 12 months.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) estimates that by choosing to wear a helmet, a motorcyclist can reduce the risk of death by about 37%. Helmet use is also 67% effective in preventing head and brain injuries.

Causes of Motorcycle Accidents in Kentucky

Most motorcycle collisions on the roads of Lexington and Kentucky are caused by:

  • Making left-hand turns. A motorcycle can collide when a passenger vehicle or truck makes a left-hand turn in front of the motorcyclist, especially when the driver fails to check the rear- and side-view mirrors properly.
  • Lane-splitting. There is a debate over whether lane-splitting is legal in Kentucky, with legal experts saying that state laws do not explicitly ban the practice of riding a bike between two lanes. Nonetheless, lane-splitting is one of the leading causes of collisions involving motorcycles in Kentucky.
  • Lack of experience. Inexperienced motorcycle riders are more likely to crash than those who have been riding for years or decades.
  • Intoxication. Car drivers and motorcyclists are more likely to lose control of the vehicle and misjudge their own speed or distance when under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
  • Right-of-way violations. When a car driver fails to give the motorcyclist proper right-of-way, a collision is likely to occur.

Contact a Lexington Motorcycle Accident Lawyer

It is imperative that you contact an attorney to investigate your crash and pursue fair compensation. Insurance companies in Kentucky often try to put the blame on a motorcycle rider even when the collision was the other party’s fault. If you do not have a Lexington motorcycle accident lawyer standing by your side, you risk obtaining less than you deserve. Contact Roberts Law Office to evaluate your case and get maximum compensation for your motorcycle crash injury. Call at (859) 231-0202 for a free consultation.