A 25-year-old avid motorcycle rider from Brockton was killed in a Massachusetts car accident. According to a news report in The Enterprise News, the fatal motorcycle accident occurred near the Harbor One Credit Union on Oak Street in Brockton. Officials say the rider tried to swerve out of the way of an SUV that pulled out in front of him from the bank parking lot. He ended up on the ground with the motorcycle on top of him. He sustained severe back and head injuries and later died at the hospital. The 69-year-old SUV driver from Canton was cited for failure to yield the right-of-way.
All drivers must yield the right-of-way to traffic when entering the roadway from a private driveway or parking lot. When a distracted or otherwise careless driver fails to yield the right-of-way, it can result in a T-bone accident or a devastating single vehicle crash if the approaching driver tries to avoid the collision. This type of accident often involves motorcycles because they are smaller than trucks and cars. Each year, a number of traffic fatalities are the direct result of drivers who fail to share the road or to watch for motorcyclists.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcycle accidents have increased in recent years nationwide and statewide. Between 1997 and 2011, motorcycle fatalities more than doubled from 2,116 to 4,612 despite the number of total traffic fatalities dropping significantly.
In 2012, Massachusetts reported an increase to 17,000 registered motorcycles. There were also 40 motorcycle traffic deaths in the first nine months of 2012, which is an increase of eight from the 32 motorcycle fatalities that occurred during the same time period in 2011.
If you have lost a loved one in a Massachusetts motorcycle accident, do not hesitate to research your legal options. Financial compensation may be available for your losses. An experienced Massachusetts motorcycle accident lawyer can help you better understand your legal rights and options.