Motorcycle fatalities on the rise this year in Ontario

Record number of fatalities highlights the need for safety among all drivers

The OPP says that 2014 could be one of the deadliest years on record for the number of fatal accidents involving motorcyclists in Ontario, according to the Toronto Star. So far this year, 26 motorcyclists have been killed on Ontario’s roads and highways and there are still two months to go in this year’s riding season. Experts say that in many cases the accidents are due to driver error or speed, either by the motorcyclist or by other drivers on the road.

Older drivers involved in collisions

Perhaps most surprisingly is that the people who are driving the fatality rate up the most are not young and inexperienced drivers but rather drivers in the 45 to 64 age range, who account for about half of the motorcyclist fatalities over the last six years. Experts say that in many cases older drivers may overestimate their driving skills or they may only be coming back to motorcycling after years away from it.

In fact, the higher fatality rates are bucking a number of expectations. The OPP says that many accidents occur in ideal conditions: during the middle of the day and when roads are dry. In many cases, as well, the motorcyclist was driving safely, but a mistake by another driver, such as turning into the motorcyclist’s lane, led to a collision.

More training called for

The rising number of deaths is leading to calls for better safety training, according to CBC News. Especially with motorcycling becoming increasingly popular among older individuals, critics say training programs and licencing requirements need to be improved.

It is important to note that because motorcycles have minimal safety and protective gear for riders, motorcycle accidents are far likelier to lead to catastrophic injuries or even death. If a motorcyclist is faced with a car driver who is negligent or fails to check his or her blind spot then the motorcyclist is likely to require more time to react to such a threat than other motorists would require.

Legal representation

People who suffer serious injuries or families who have lost loved ones in motorcycle accidents should contact a personal injury lawyer as soon as possible. Because serious accidents often involve much higher expenses to deal with medical costs and loss of income, receiving the compensation victims of such accidents deserve is all the more important. An experienced lawyer can help people injured in a motor vehicle accident fight for the compensation they deserve. If you’ve been injured in motorcycle or motor vehicle accident, contact Bougadis, Chang LLP Barristers.