Fatal Washington Motorcycle Accidents on the Rise – Gas Prices Resulting in Higher Motorcycle Sales and Leading to More Inexperienced Riders on the Road

August 28th 2008

Fatal Washington Motorcycle Accidents on the Rise – Gas Prices Resulting in Higher Motorcycle Sales and Leading to More Inexperienced Riders on the Road

Motorcycles and scooters are hitting Washington roads in record numbers. A large number of these new riders are inexperienced, which is leading to crashes due to rider error. As a Washington Motorcycle Accident Attorney I have seen first hand the devastating effects a motorcycle crash can have on the human body.

My law firm represented a couple that were rear-ended while riding a motorcycle. The woman suffered a fractured thigh bone and the man suffered several broken ribs and a knee injury that required surgery. More often than not motorcycle accidents result in serious injuries like broken bones or worse.

The Washington State Patrol estimates that 80% of motorcycle accident fatalities are a result of rider error, most commonly excessive speed and lane errors – like failing to negotiate a curve safely. A good way to avoid becoming one of these statistics is to take a motorcycle safety course. I bought my first street motorcycle when I was 19 years old. I took a motorcycle rider safety course that really taught me the basics of stopping quickly under control, cornering and bike control that has kept me upright for the last 19 years.

Here’s some more scary stats. 93% of the fatal motorcycle crashes involved riders with no safety training. The number of motorcycle deaths rose every year from 1997 -2006. This year so far there have been 48 motorcycle accident related fatalities. A 1/3 of riders involved in accidents do not have the required endorsement on their driver’s license.

Washington state law requires all motorcycle riders to have the proper motorcycle endorsement on your driver’s license. Scooters that are capable of going over 30 mph also require an endorsement. A new Washington state law allows police to impound your motorcycle if you don’t have the proper endorsement. There’s no reason not to have it, an endorsement requires a simple written and riding test. If take a motorcycle safety course these tests will be a breeze.

If you’re thinking about buying a motorcycle or scooter for the first time, do yourself a favor and take a rider safety course. The life you save may be your own!

Max Meyers, Esq.