The Governor’s Highway Safety Association (GHSA) recently released a study highlighting the increase in motorcycle accident injuries and deaths in Tennessee and throughout the country. Based on preliminary data supplied by all 50 states and the District of Columbia, the rate of motorcycle accident fatalities in the United States likely increased about 9% from 2011 to 2012, marking the 14th year in the last 15 that the rate of motorcycle fatalities has increased. If you have been injured in a serious motorcycle accident in Tennessee, or if you lost a loved one in a fatal collision, contact our qualified lawyers at Michael D. Ponce & Associates to discuss your legal options. You may have grounds to file a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit against the allegedly negligent driver involved in the crash, in order to pursue financial compensation for your injuries, medical bills, and pain and suffering.
There are a number of factors cited by the various states involved in the report that may have contributed to motorcycle fatality increases throughout the country. Weather in particular is believed to have played an important role, considering the fact that motorcycle travel is affected by weather conditions. From March to May 2012, the lower 48 states recorded the warmest average temperature on record by two degrees, which, the GHSA reports, undoubtedly increased motorcycle travel, accidents and fatalities, especially in cold-weather states. In fact, Tennessee and other states explicitly noted the weather’s influence when submitting motorcycle accident data, with Tennessee reporting “warmer temperatures causing more motorcycle miles traveled.” Other possible contributing factors to the increase in motorcycle accident deaths include the improving economy, the price of gas, and an increase in motorcycle registrations.
Officials in Tennessee and across the country have taken steps to reduce the risk of injuries and fatalities from motorcycle accidents, car wrecks and other types of accidents. Unfortunately, despite the fact that total traffic deaths have dropped considerably during the past 15 years, fatalities from motorcycle accidents are moving even closer to the highest rates ever recorded. In the 14 years from 1997 to 2011, motorcycle deaths more than doubled, from 2,116 to 4,612, while total traffic accident fatalities decreased by a dramatic 23%, from 42,013 to 32,367. If you or a loved one has suffered motorcycle accident injuries in Nashville, or elsewhere in Tennessee, consult our knowledgeable attorneys at Michael D. Ponce & Associates to explore your compensation options. Our law firm is located in Nashville, and our lawyers have extensive experience protecting the rights of motorcycle accident victims throughout the state of Tennessee.
Source: http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/msnbc/sections/news/GHSA_Motorcycle_Deaths.pdf