If a motorcyclist crashes due to another driver’s negligence, the victim may be entitled to compensation for pain and suffering. Although such incidents happen often, Missouri motorcycle accidents on the road create pain, suffering and financial burdens that can sometimes last a lifetime. Recently, a study noted that passenger vehicles have become heavier, creating more danger in the event of an accident.
Safety was measured in the study primarily, as auto accidents are the chief cause of death in America. The financial repercussions, such as cost of fuel, were also measured with regard to the weight of a vehicle. The study found that the more a car weighed, the greater the damage to other vehicles and their passengers.
One can imagine the dangers these heavy vehicles pose to motorcyclists. However, the study also found that, the heavier a vehicle is, the safer its own occupants will be; this detail hits on the root of the manufacturing decisions made in determining the weight of a vehicle. Even still, further studies have found that the weight of the vehicle could be decreased while still keeping the vehicles’ passengers relatively safe.
Even though motorcycles are motorized vehicles like any other auto vehicle, they have specific features and distinct performances which place them in a category of their own. Heavier vehicles seem to pose the greatest threat to motorcyclists and other drivers on the road, greatly increasing the possibility of fatalities. As stated, when motorcycle accidents occur, the victims or their families can take steps to receive compensation for pain, suffering and hospital bills. It is certainly important to talk to a knowledgeable professional who is familiar with Missouri accident laws to ensure one’s rights are protected.
Source: Journalist’s Resource, Heavy cars and SUVs on U.S. highways: The external costs of the vehicle-weight “arms race”, Leighton Walter Kille, Nov. 11, 2013
