Gas Prices Tied to Fatal Motorcycle Accidents

According to Los Angeles personal injury lawyers, statistics show for this year that as gas prices went up so has the amount of registered motorcycles and that also means the amount of motorcycles have risen. The amount of motorcycle accidents includes some of the highest fatality rates that have been seen.

This year the research shows there have been 48 motorcyclists have sustained fatal injuries statewide. This also included two motorcyclists that were fatally injured in Yakima Valley. This is higher by five fatalities than 2007 that were motorcycle related accidents.

According to the State Patrol while many people believe that other vehicles cause motorcycle accidents, this is not the case any longer. Approximately 80 percent of the fatal motorcycle accidents are solo accidents and the fault of the motorcyclist is what the State Patrol in the research information for this year has found this trend.

In past research the opposite was true, with other vehicles being at fault during a fatal motorcycle accident.

The information in this research shows that unsafe lane changes, excessive speed, not paying attention and alcohol are the main reasons behind the current motorcycle accidents and fatalities. This information and research is according to Lt. Mike Turcott from Olympia, he has studied the research and statistics since 2005. Lt. Turcott stated that by holding back this information would be a disservice to the motorcyclists and in a large percentage the motorcyclists has control on the road.

According to this information approximately 47 percent of the fatalities were motorcyclists that did not have a motorcycle endorsement on their drivers license.

To date there have been seven motorcycle accidents where the rider sustained injuries. There have been two fatalities that shows errors on the part of the bikers age 23 and 26.

In just Yakima County there are 7,820 cyclists that have a motorcycle endorsement on their license and over the past 18 months this number has grown by approximately 800.

On the state level motorcycle registrations have increased about 73 percent from the years 1997 through 2005, according to Steve Steward from the Department of Licensing motorcycle safety. With this research it shows that motorcycle fatalities have risen by approximately 164 percent.

Lt. Turcott stated that there are more motorcycles on the road every year and these are only the ones that are registered and the riders are licensed. He stated that rider could take either a written test or a driving test at the Department of Licensing. They can also take and complete a certified motorcycle safety course in order to have their motorcycle endorsement on their drivers’ license. Any of these will give the rider a clear idea of motorcycle safety.