Motorcycle accidents are among the most dangerous types of accidents there are. Even if a motorcyclist takes every safety precaution — including wearing a helmet, the right clothing, and following traffic laws — a crash can throw a motorcyclist from a bike, leaving him or her seriously injured or worse. Unfortunately, that seems to have been what happened in a motorcycle accident this weekend.
According to today’s report in the Advocate, the motorcyclist was on Joor Road in East Baton Rouge Parish when he hit another vehicle. According to a spokesperson with the Sheriff’s Office, the other vehicle was trying to turn at the time of the crash. Sadly, the motorcyclist died.
Although deputies suspect speed was somehow involved in the crash, many motorcycle accidents are caused by drivers attempting to make a turn onto a road without looking closely in both directions. In many cases, drivers pull out right into the path of an oncoming motorcyclist.
Losing a loved one to a motor vehicle accident is devastating, and far too many people in Louisiana know what it feels like. When drivers allow themselves to be distracted by cellphones, the radio or backseat passengers, however, serious or fatal car accidents like this one will continue to happen.
While it is fortunate that personal injury laws in Louisiana allow grieving families to seek compensation from a negligent driver for their loss, that can never make up for the death of a loved one. Hopefully drivers in Baton Rouge and throughout our state will take the time to focus on the road and think twice before giving into distractions. It could go a long way toward keeping our roads safe.
Source: The Advocate, “Motorcycle operator killed in Baton Rouge crash,” Aug. 26, 2013
