Motorcycle Accident
Fatal Oklahoma Motorcycle Accident
A 32-year-old man was killed in an Oklahoma motorcycle accident after a pickup truck collided head-on with his cycle. According to a news report in The Tulsa World, the fatal car accident occurred on the U.S. 64 west of Pawnee. Troopers say the driver of the 2005 Chevy Silverado pickup truck, a 77-year-old man, was blinded by the sun’s glare when he crossed into opposing lanes of traffic and crashed into the Honda motorcycle. The motorcyclist died at the scene while his 30-year-old female passenger was transported to an area hospital in critical condition. Another motorcyclist in a 2006 Harley Davidson who was behind the Honda also got run off the roadway as a result of the collision. That 52-year-old man also suffered serious injuries.
Motorcycle accidents are most commonly caused by drivers who are not paying attention to the roadway. In some cases, drivers fail to yield the right-of-way to an oncoming motorcycle. Some motorcycle accidents occur when another driver makes an unsafe lane change. Regardless of how the accident occurs, if a motorcyclist or passenger has been injured by a negligent driver, he or she has a right to claim compensation. Injured victims can file a personal injury claim seeking damages such as medical expenses and loss of wages. Families of deceased motorcycle accident victims can file an Oklahoma wrongful death claim seeking compensation for damages such as funeral expenses and lost future income.
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Tulsa Police Looking for Fatal Motorcycle Accident Hit and Run Suspect
According to a story in The Oklahoman, police in Tulsa are looking for a driver responsible for the death of a motorcyclist. After the crash, the driver fled the scene. The motorcycle rider was a 52-year-old man who was traveling on a Tulsa road when a gray or silver Chevrolet Camaro turned in front of him. The man was thrown from the motorcycle, landing on the street. He was pronounced dead at a local hospital. The driver of the Camaro left the scene of the crash and is wanted by police.
In a July 2009 data report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), figures show that while the number of people injured in motor vehicle crashes has decreased since 1999, the number of motorcyclist injuries has increased. In fact, from 1998 to 2007, the number of motorcyclists injured in crashes increased 110 percent. Within that same time period, data analysis shows that about 90 percent of motorcyclists injured in crashes were operating the vehicle while 10 percent were passengers. The largest number of motorcyclists injured fall within the 20-29 age group.
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Proper Oklahoma Motorcycle Safety for Summer
Motorcycling is a fun and social activity enjoyed by many during the warmer months of the year. A sense of freedom usually accompanies riding a motorcycle, but danger also tends to tag along for the ride. Most Oklahoma motorcycle accidents occur, not because of the rider, but because of other motorists who do not know how to share the road with motorcycles. Because motorcyclists are much less protected than drivers of other motor vehicles, they need to practice riding safely and defensively to protect themselves in the event of a motorcycle crash in Oklahoma. The following safety guidelines can help motorcyclists stay safe on the road:
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Oklahoma Highway Patrol Emphasizes Motorcycle Safety
With the warmer temperatures of spring and summer come more motorcycles on Oklahoma roads and highways. Due to the high number of motorcyclist deaths in recent years, Oklahoma Highway Patrol (OHP) will be pushing motorcycle safety for the 2nd year in row, according to Fox23.com.
According to the OHP, 401 motorcyclists died in crashes in the state between 2006 and 2010. More specifically, 61 riders were killed in 2006, 74 in 2007, 87 in 2008, 105 in 2009, and 74 in 2010. The OHP began pushing motorcycle safety in 2010 as a result of the increase in motorcycle accident-related deaths between 2006 and 2009 and it seems to have worked since the number of motorcycle rider deaths dropped to 74 in 2010. The hope is that numbers will go down even more with emphasis on motorcycle safety this year.
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Two Bartlesville Residents Injured in Tulsa Motorcycle Crash
A nighttime motorcycle accident over the weekend injured both the bike’s male driver and female passenger when the 2002 Harley Davidson left the U.S. Highway 75 northbound entrance ramp from State Highway 20, according to the Tulsa news website KJRH.com. Both the driver and passenger were taken to St. Johns Hospital, where the woman remains in critical condition with head, arm, and leg injuries; the driver received treatment for head and arm injuries has since been released.
According to state troopers, the motorcycle hit gravel and several holes after veering off the U.S. Highway 75 entrance ramp, after which it lost complete control and crashed onto the pavement, but not before both riders were ejected over 80 feet north of where the motorcycle crashed down. State troopers determined that the driver was impaired by alcohol, and therefore attributed driving under the influence as the cause of the Tulsa motorcycle accident.
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Pastor Dies in Oklahoma Motorcycle Accident on I-35
A fatal motorcycle accident occurred on Wednesday, February 16, which left a 62-year-old pastor dead, according to KFOR. The crash happened around 4:30 p.m. as the man was exiting I-35 and lost control of the motorcycle when it hit sand on the roadway. The bike skidded on its side for about 100 feet before coming to a rest. After hitting the pavement, the motorcyclist suffered a fatal head injury, even though he was wearing a helmet.
Further investigation of this tragic motorcycle accident in Oklahoma will determine whether or not negligence had a contributing role in the cause of the crash. Since the man lost control when his bike hit the sand, investigators may want to figure out why the sand was there in the first place to determine if the sand was there due to a person’s mistake. Sand is frequently used to help stuck vehicles regain traction in the snow. Leftover sand could have contributed to the fatal Oklahoma motorcycle accident. While this is a plausible option, investigators may want to examine the motorcycle itself to ensure that all components were working properly and that there were no mechanical defects. If it is found that there was a faulty motorcycle part, the manufacturer of the bike could be held liable.
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Broken Arrow Motorcyclist Collides with Hay Bales, Injuries Not Serious
A motorcyclist was exiting the Muskogee Turnpike into the westbound lanes of the Creek Turnpike when he crashed into some hay bales that had accidentally fallen from a semi-truck, according to NewsOn6.com. Luckily, the motorcyclist was wearing a helmet and was reported in stable condition. The state trooper who arrived at the scene cited the driver of the semi-truck with not properly securing the load. The article states that the motorcyclist was only thrown five feet, which could mean that he was already slowing down to attempt to avoid the bales when the Oklahoma motorcycle accident occurred.
Thankfully, no serious injuries were reported by either party involved in this Oklahoma motorcycle crash; however, that is not always the case in motorcycle collisions. Oftentimes, motorcycle crashes leave the motorcyclist with serious or even fatal injuries since they are not protected by the metal exterior like occupants of a passenger car or large truck are. In addition, according to the American Motorcyclist Association, motorcycle helmets are only required for persons under 18 years of age in the state of Oklahoma. With fewer people wearing helmets, serious injury is more likely to occur.
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Oklahoma Riders in Favor of New Motorcycle Fee
A new tax will be added to the registration of all motorcycles in Oklahoma, according to NewsOK.com. The $3 tax is designed to fund safety programs for both experienced and inexperienced riders and reduce the risk of motorcycle accidents in Oklahoma. The article states that many in the motorcycle community are in favor of the new fee since it provides an opportunity for riders to learn about safety on the road.
One man, an avid motorcycle rider and host of a radio show about motorcycles says he has no qualms about the new fee, which the state will begin charging on November 1. The man even suggests that perhaps a program to teach motorists how to better watch out for bikers would be helpful. The Oklahoma Tax Commission reported that 123,906 motorcycles were registered in the state in 2009, which is a 7.4% increase from 2008.
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I-40 Motorcycle Accident Involves Oklahoma Highway Patrol Trooper
An Oklahoma Highway Patrol trooper was injured when his motorcycle lost control, causing him to slide nearly 290 feet across I-40, an article on NewsOK.com stated. The 44-year old trooper was one of two who were merging onto the highway from the Choctaw Road on-ramp. According to the report, something caused the trooper to swerve and hit the other trooper’s motorcycle before sliding across the westbound lanes of traffic. The second trooper was able to keep his bike upright.
The 44-year old man sustained abrasions, scrapes and possibly broken bones, though his condition was not included in the article. He was flown to OU Medical Center for treatment.
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