An Ohio woman died after the motorcycle she was riding crashed with a semi truck. Two people were riding on the motorcycle, and both were reportedly ejected from the vehicle when it collided with the semi truck.
The crash happened on U.S. 30 East in Perry Township at approximately 5:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 19, 2014. Both motorcycle riders were rushed to Aultman Hospital where the female biker succumbed to her injuries. The other bike rider was hospitalized with serious injuries. The truck driver was uninjured. The Ohio State Highway Patrol was still investigating the crash, but reported the alcohol did not seem to have played a role in it.
While motorcycles remain a popular form of transportation in the United States, they are also one of the most dangerous. Because they are small and light and do not provide much protection to a driver, they are more dangerous to ride in than a car. According to studies conducted by the federal government, in 2006, there were 35 times more fatalities from motorcycle crashes than those involving cars.
Motorcyclists are at risk of sustaining serious injuries from those they share the road with drivers operating cars or trucks. These vehicles significantly outweigh motorcycles, and collisions between the two leave bikes at an extreme disadvantage. Due to their small size, they can be difficult to spot by car drivers who sometimes fail to see them and collide with them at intersections or when changing lanes.
Additionally, road hazards play a major role in motorcycle accidents. Because motorcycles are not as sturdy, icy or rainy conditions can cause them to skid and drivers can more easily lose control. Often motorcycle drivers travel at high rates of speed, causing changes in road surfaces to pose an even greater danger.
Many people look at motorcycles as recreational vehicles and fail to recognize that they need to be fully trained in order to successfully operate these devices. Driving a motorcycle requires a higher skill level than driving a car, but many do half as much training to prepare for the ride. This can lead to an increased risk of an accident when unskilled and inexperienced drivers hit road hazards for which they are unprepared.
Motorcycles can be an enjoyable way to travel, but they also face a lot of risks from other drivers and road conditions. If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, contact an Ohio personal injury attorney at Clements, Taylor, Butkovich & Cohen LPA, Co.