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.
There were 84,000 injury motorcycle crashes, and 4,595 fatal motorcycle crashes, nationwide in 2009, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). There were 108 fatal motorcycle crashes in Oklahoma the same year. Many Oklahoma motorcycle accident injuries are caused by failure to use defensive driving techniques and failure to use special precautions while riding (including wearing a proper helmet, and protective clothing). Defensive driving is especially important for a motorcyclist because they share the road with much bigger vehicles. Negligent driving on the part of a larger vehicle is very dangerous for motorcycle riders. If you have been injured in a motorcycle crash caused by a negligent driver, that driver can he held accountable for all medical expenses associated with your injury.
The knowledgeable Oklahoma City motorcycle accident attorneys of Maples Law Firm, LLP, have successfully represented many motorcycle accident victims. We know how difficult a motorcycle injury can be for both the victim and their family, and so work diligently to recover any and all losses and damages suffered as a result of the accident caused by another’s negligence. Contact us today for a free consultation and to learn more about your legal options at (405) 705-5050.
