A 50-year-old Lenapah man was killed in an Oklahoma motorcycle accident involving a front-end loader. According to a KJRH news report, the fatal motorcycle crash occurred on Bird Creek near a gravel service road in Catoosa. Officials say the motorcyclist was traveling northbound when he collided with a front-end loader that was in the process of turning. KOCO.com reports that the victim was not wearing a helmet. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The driver of the front-end loader was not hurt.
Under Oklahoma Statute 47-12-609 (B), only motorcycle operators and passengers who are under 18 are required to wear a safety helmet. The dangers of head injuries, however, do not go away when you become an adult. All motorcyclists in Oklahoma would be well advised to wear a helmet whenever they ride. Helmets cannot prevent all fatal injuries, but they can significantly reduce the amount of brain trauma that can occur during a violent crash.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 4,323 motorcycle riders were killed in 2011 of which 40 percent were not wearing a helmet. The NHTSA estimates that 1,617 riders were saved that year by wearing a helmet and another 703 fatally injured motorcyclists could have been saved if they were wearing helmets.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), helmets are estimated to reduce the likelihood of death in a crash by 37 percent and the risk of head injury by 69 percent. Furthermore, there are no negative health effects from wearing a helmet. Helmets do not restrict a rider’s ability to see or hear.
If you are one of the many riders in Oklahoma, please take every step necessary to protect yourself, and remember:
- Only ride when sober
- Obey the speed limit
- Take refresher courses to improve your skills
- Ride defensively
- Always wear a helmet
If you have lost a loved one in a fatal Oklahoma motorcycle crash, do not hesitate to research your legal options. Financial support may be available for your significant losses. An experienced Oklahoma personal injury lawyer will be able to help you secure fair and full compensation for your injuries and damages.
