The Springdale, AR, personal injury lawyers at the Law Offices of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A. have put together an infographic discussing fatal motorcycle accidents. The document provides important information that all Arkansas motorcyclists should familiarize themselves with to ensure a safe ride every time they hop on their bikes.
Fatal motorcycle accidents in Arkansas have always been concerning, as they routinely claim dozens of lives each year. However, this is especially the case in the wake of the most recent reports from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s (“NHTSA”) Fatality Analysis Reporting System, which shows that 2020 saw the highest number of motorcyclists killed since the NHTSA began keeping track of motorcycle fatalities back in 1975.
Fatal Motorcycle Accident Facts
The NHTSA has been tracking motorcycle accident statistics for the past four decades. While the figures vary from year to year, on average, motorcycle accidents make up 14 percent of all traffic-related fatalities. Deadly motorcycle accidents have also increased by approximately 23 percent since 2010. In Arkansas specifically, there were 85 motorcycle fatalities in 2021, which represents a 34 percent increase over the number of deaths in 2019. These numbers are the highest they’ve been in the past ten years. In fact, Arkansas, Texas and Mississippi have the highest rate of fatal motorcycle accidents.
Causes of Fatal Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents, like all motor vehicle collisions, can have many different causes. However, the most common cause of fatal motorcycle accidents is a driver’s failure to see a rider. Of course, there are a few different reasons why drivers overlook motorcyclists.
Distracted Driving – Distracted driving is perhaps the most common cause of motorcycle accidents and occurs when motorists engage in any activity that removes their attention from the road.
Traffic Violations – Drivers who commit traffic violations are more likely to cause a motorcycle accident. Some of the most common violations include improper turns and failure to yield the right of way.
Speeding – Speeding and other types of aggressive driving are especially dangerous to motorcyclists, who are much more vulnerable than occupants of cars, SUVs and trucks.
Although not technically a cause, slightly more than half of all motorcycle accidents occur at night. While there could be numerous reasons for this, two contributing factors are an increased rate of driving under the influence and motorists decreased visibility.
Fault in Motorcycle Accidents
Arkansas uses the Modified Comparative Fault rule for determining which accident victims can recover damages from at-fault drivers and how much they can recover. Under a Modified Comparative Fault analysis, a driver’s total damages will be reduced by their own percentage of fault. Thus, even if a motorcyclist is partially at fault for causing an accident, they may still be able to obtain damages from other at-fault parties.
For example, if a jury determines that a motorcycle accident victim sustained $500,000 in damages, but the motorcyclist was determined to be 25 percent at fault, the motorcyclist could recover a total of $375,000.
However, it is important to keep in mind that under the Arkansas Modified Comparative Negligence rule, riders who are more than 49 percent at fault are precluded from recovering from any other at-fault party.
When the Unthinkable Happens, the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield is Here for You
If you recently lost a loved one in a fatal motorcycle accident, the thought of pursuing a legal claim against the at-fault party may feel overwhelming. However, this is not a journey you need to embark upon on your own. At the Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, our compassionate Arkansas motorcycle accident lawyers have decades of combined experience pursuing claims on behalf of grieving families. We understand what your family is going through and vow to make the recovery process as easy on you as possible while aggressively pursuing maximum compensation for your losses.
Law Office of Jason M. Hatfield, P.A.
1025 E Don Tyson Pkwy
Springdale, AR 72764
(479) 361-3575
400 N 6th St, Suite 2
Fort Smith, AR 72902
(479) 777-1206