Sturgis Rally Increases Awareness About Motorcycle Accidents
Minot motorcycle accident attorney explains the risks and your legal options
Every year, the Sturgis Motorcycle Rally roars through the South Dakota Black Hills. While it is a celebration of motorcycles and open riding, it is also a reminder about the dangers that motorcyclists face every day when they ride.
This year, the Cody Police Department is conducting a “Share the Road” campaign to alert other drivers to the risk to motorcyclists both during the rally and long after it’s over. The campaign notes that approximately 16 percent of the motorcycle fatalities in North and South Dakota, Colorado, Nevada, Utah and Wyoming happen during the three-week period of the annual rally. This year, the rally will run from July 30 to Aug. 15. Last year, the rally attracted 510,749 riders.
The campaign asks drivers to not only be aware of motorcyclists and to give them plenty of room on the road, but also asks motorcyclists to make themselves more visible to other drivers. They can do this by wearing bright clothes or having reflective items on their motorcycles. Officials are also trying to make drivers aware of the behaviors of motorcyclists, such as that they must downshift or that they may weave in and out of traffic. Officials hope that by making drivers aware of these practices and encouraging them to respond appropriately, the number of accidents can be reduced.
Statistics show how vulnerable motorcyclists are to accidents, which can often be serious or even fatal. According to data provided by the North Dakota Department of Transportation, there were 219 accidents involving motorcycles in 2014, and nine of those were fatal. 170 of those accidents involved injuries. There is an average crash rate of 4.30 per 1,000 licensed motorcycle operators, or 6.49 per 1,000 registered motorcycles. The majority of fatal motorcycle crashes involve alcohol, but alcohol is a factor in a low number of the overall motorcycle accidents.
Motorcycle accidents often involve serious injury, which can negatively impact your life for long after the accident is over. The Minot motorcycle accident attorneys at the Larson Law Firm help clients get the compensation they deserve after a motorcycle accident, whether it involved another motorcycle, a passenger vehicle, or a commercial vehicle. Our attorneys are dedicated to winning clients a settlement that will pay for their medical care, their lost wages, their pain and suffering and any other losses they have experienced.
If you have lost a loved one to a motorcycle accident, you may also be entitled to compensation. Of course, this money is not going to bring back your loved one, but it can send a message to the negligent party responsible for the accident, and it can help you provide for your family for years after your loved one is gone. The money won’t alleviate the hurt you feel, but it can prevent you from experiencing even more chaos in your life caused by financial burdens from the loss of your loved one.
Call the Larson Law Firm at (701) 839-1777 to work with one of our experienced Minot motorcycle accident attorneys, or use our secure online form to request a free consultation. You and your loved ones should not have to risk your life to enjoy the hobby you love, and our attorneys work hard to ensure you receive fair compensation for your injuries.