Motorcycles are popular with many people in Missouri. The fun and cost-efficient vehicles are perfect for seeing the state, enjoying the weather and getting a thrill. But, they can be dangerous.
While popular culture tends to portray motorcycle riders as members of burly biker gangs, the truth is that people from all walks of life ride motorcycles. This also means that all sorts of people get into motorcycle accidents.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, statistically, some people are more likely to be involved in, and killed, in motorcycle accidents. The data shows that people who ride motorcycles designed to maximize agility and speed are most likely to die. They make up the majority of motorcycle deaths. Older people are also often victims of motorcycle accidents. CDC data shows that more than 50 percent of fatal motorcycle accident victims are more than 40-years-old.
Women are also often victims of motorcycle accidents, particularly if they are passengers. Only 10 percent of drivers killed in a motorcycle accident are women. However, 89 percent of passengers killed in fatal accidents are women.
Location, alcohol use and helmet wearing also affected whether or not a person is more likely to be involved in a fatal motorcycle accident. Data shows that around 50 percent of accidents happen on rural roads. Additionally, about 41 percent of drivers in fatal motorcycle accidents were not wearing helmets. Finally, alcohol use increases the probability of a fatal accident by 28 percent.
No matter who you are, if you have been injured by a negligent driver while riding a motorcycle you have legal rights. This blog post can only offer general information, but an experienced Missouri attorney may be able to give more specific legal advice.