THE REASONS FOR KENTUCKY’S INCREASE IN FATAL MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS

Each year, thousands of motorcyclists lose their lives in fatal crashes all across this country. Given that, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Kentucky has recently seen an uptick in these types of crashes as well. Perhaps most alarming, though, is the fact that the largest increase in crashes is happening among those riders that aren’t wearing helmets.

According to the Kentucky Office of Highway Safety, among the 500 motorcycle collisions that have already occurred this year, 27 of them have resulted in fatalities. The overall number of motorcycle crashes has been steadily increasing over the past three years.

In 2014, there were 1,660 motorcycle collisions. In 2015, there were 1,739. In 2016, there were 1,790. Of all the incidents reported in 2016, 106 of those were fatal. At least 70 of those involved motorcyclists who weren’t wearing helmets at the time.

As for Kentucky, it’s one of 31 states that don’t require those 21 and over to wear a helmet when riding a motorcycle. Only those who are under the age of 21 are required to do so.

Public health officials and doctors with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have looked into the impact that helmet laws have on motorcycle crash death rates. They’ve noted that death rates among motorcyclists without helmet laws are significantly higher than those that do have them in place.

Among the injuries doctors see in states without helmet laws, the most common ailment is a traumatic brain injury (TBI). If victims of these types of crashes are able to survive, they face extensive rehabilitation to re-learn many everyday skills necessary to continue living a productive life.

Traumatic brain injuries are one of the biggest risks associated with a motorcyclist not wearing a helmet. There are, however, other injuries that motorcyclists face. Some of these include road rash, spinal cord injuries and broken bones.

Depending on the circumstances of your crash, you may be entitled to reimbursement for your past medical bills, future medical costs and other expenses. A Bowling Green, Kentucky, brain injury attorney can help you understand your rights as they relate to your own case.

Source: WKYT, “New numbers show deadly motorcycle crashes rising in Kentucky,” Ambel Philpott, June 12, 2017