Safety officials often talk about the most dangerous time of the year for motorcyclists, the period where crashes and fatalities tend to spike. In Iowa, this happens in the late summer.
One news station’s analysis of Iowa Department of Transportation statistics found one-fifth of all motorcyclist and motorcycle passenger deaths over the past decade occurred in August, making it the most dangerous month of the year. Fatality figures are also generally high in June, July and September, then tend to dip when the weather turns cold. For victims of motorcycle crashes however, this is far from the end of the story.
Injuries can last a lifetime
Motorcyclists are far less protected by their vehicle than drivers of cars or trucks. That, in part, is why 80% of all motorcycle crashes result in the rider suffering an injury or death, according to federal statistics. These injuries can vary greatly, but might include:
- Broken bones
- Traumatic brain injury
- Spinal injuries
- Large cuts and wounds
- Emotional trauma
In many cases, the after-effects of these injuries may linger – and not just into the fall and winter, but potentially for years to come. In the most serious crashes the damage may be life-altering, requiring long-lasting, expensive medical treatment or resulting in the unexpected loss of a loved one.
When these crashes, and therefore the injuries, were caused by another driver’s negligence, it may be possible for victims or their loved ones to pursue justice through a personal injury or wrongful death lawsuit. While compensation will never return life to the way it was before the accident, it can provide families a sense of security.