Motorcycles can be an exhilarating way to travel, giving riders and their passengers more intense and direct contact with the motoring world around them. However, the key drawback to this type of vehicle is the lack of protection afforded to car and truck drivers. Without many of the safety features like a fully enclosed space, airbags, mass, and more, motorcycle riders are more likely to suffer a serious injury when involved in a crash.
Unfortunately, far too many motorists, especially those unused to riding on a motorcycle, have a tendency to ignore motorcycles or fail to notice them before turning, changing lanes, or taking other actions that put the safety of those riders at risk. If you were seriously injured because another driver caused an accident through reckless or negligent actions, it may be in your best interest to speak with a Wichita motorcycle accident lawyer to discuss what legal options you have to secure the compensation you need to cover any damages caused by your collision.
How common are motorcycle accidents though? According to the Kansas Department of Transportation (KDOT), there were 59,865 crashes throughout the state in 2023. 926 of these crashes, or 1.5% of the total, involved a motorcycle, resulting in 41 fatalities and 840 injuries in these accidents. Motorcycles are fairly popular in Kansas, with 100,662 total registered in the state. With a total population of 2.941 million, Kansas has the 14th most motorcycles per capita among all 50 states.
Taking all of these stats into account, it is extremely unlikely that someone will be involved in a motorcycle accident in Kansas. However, the risk of injury or death significantly increases when riders don’t wear a helmet. According to the KDOT, less than half of injured and killed motorcycle riders were wearing helmets at the time of their accidents. While these safety tools cannot prevent all injuries, they can significantly increase the chance of mitigating the potential risks.
While being involved in an accident when riding a motorcycle may not be likely, it isn’t impossible. In many cases, these crashes are the fault of other drivers failing to check their blind spots, ignoring motorcycles on the road, making reckless maneuvers on the road, and more.
If you were seriously injured in a motorcycle accident caused by someone else’s negligent or reckless actions, you may be able to take legal action to secure the compensation you need to cover any medical bills, lost wages, or other damages incurred in the crash. At Prochaska, Howell & Prochaska LLC, our Wichita motorcycle accident attorneys are passionate about fighting for the rights of injured victims throughout Kansas. Contact our firm today to discuss your legal options in a free case consultation.
