Over the weekend, there was a fatal motorcycle crash in Hendersonville County. According to WLOS ABC News Channel 13, the incident happened on Chimney Rock Road at Hominy Branch Road on Sunday night at about 9:30 p.m. Very few details about the crash have been released, but initial reports indicate that a female passenger on the motorcycle was ejected during the wreck. She reportedly hit a guardrail and suffered from a fatal head injury. The driver of the motorcycle was also injured in the crash. That person was rushed to a local hospital for treatment. At this time, law enforcement officials are looking into whether speed and intoxication could have been factors in this crash.
Motorcycle Crashes by The Numbers
Between 2015 and 2016, there was a 5.1 percent increase in motorcycle crash fatalities in the U.S.
Per vehicle mile traveled in 2016, motorcyclist fatalities occurred nearly 28 times more frequently than passenger car occupant fatalities in crashes.
In 2015, an estimated 88,000 motorcyclists were injured in crashes in the U.S.
Speeding was a factor in 33 percent of fatal motorcycle crashes in 2016.
Helmets saved an estimated 1,859 motorcyclists’ lives in 2016.
Improving Motorcycle Rider Safety in The U.S.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) is hoping to raise awareness about the dangers facing motorcycle riders on a daily basis. Their “Share The Road” campaign is all about calling attention to the types of driver behaviors that pose risks to motorcycle riders. These behaviors include aggressive and reckless driving, distracted driving and not looking prior to pulling out onto roadways or changing lanes. Motorcycles are smaller than traditional passenger occupant vehicles, so drivers are reminded to Look Twice before making lane changes or other abrupt traffic movements.
Asheville Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle riders are still some of the most vulnerable roadway users. They don’t have the protection of steel cages, seat belts and air bags. Even with helmets, motorcyclists can become catastrophically or fatally injured in crashes with larger passenger occupant vehicles.
If you have been injured or if you have lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident in Asheville or in any of the surrounding Western North Carolina communities, contact the skilled and proven Personal Injury team at Davis Law Group, P.A. at 828-303-2842 for a free case consultation today.