Single-Vehicle Motorcycle Accident in Alabama Kills Rider

 A Mobile man lost his life in an Alabama motorcycle accident recently. The accident happened on Rebel Road, three miles south of Daphne.

The motorcyclist's Honda left the roadway and struck a pole. He was taken by Life Flight to USA Medical Center in Mobile. He was later pronounced dead, according to WKRG News. Alabama State Troopers are still investigating the accident.

Our Birmingham injury attorneys understand the risks that motorcyclists face in the event of a motor-vehicle accident. With the little protection that these motorists are equipped with, injury and even death is likely to occur.https://askcompetentlawyer.com/complex-litigation/ For this reason, the National Transportation Safety Board is pushing for stricter helmet laws across the nation. Helmets have been proven to save the lives of motorcyclists.

From 1997 to 2009, the yearly number of motorcyclist deaths doubled from 2,116 to 4,462. Currently, it is estimated that more than 10 motorcyclists are killed on our roadways every day. Although motorcyclists account for such a small percent of motorists on our roadways, their fatality rate make up nearly 15 percent of all highway deaths. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a head injury is a number one cause of death to a motorcyclist that has been involved in a traffic accident.

In an attempt to reduce the number of these fatal accidents, the NTSB recommends that each state enlist and enforce a motorcycle helmet law that complies with U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 218. This regulation is quite possibly the most effective measure that a rider or passenger can take to reduce the risk of injury or death in the event of an accident.

Motorcycle helmets meeting the current federal standard are designed with a hard outer shell, an impact-attenuating liner and a retention system to protect the head. This design has been proven to protect a motorcyclist's brain. The NHTSA estimates that these motorcycle helmets are 37 percent effective in preventing death for riders and more than 40 percent effective for motorcycle passengers.

The NHTSA and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF), a nonprofit foundation that is supported by motorcycle manufacturers, has co-sponsored the NAMS, and a technical working group of experts representing many different motorcycle-related constituencies contributed to its development. Its mission states that it is to “point the way to the most promising avenues for future motorcycling safety efforts in the United States.”

The MSF offers these additional tips to help motorcyclists stay safe on our roadways:

-Make sure your headlight works and is on both day and night.

-Use reflective decals on your clothing and on your motorcycle so that motorists are more likely to see you.

-Stay out of the blind spots of cars and trucks.

-Flash your brake light when you're slowing down and before stopping.

-Be sure to always wear a quality helmet and proper eye protection.

-Always wear bright clothing and a light-colored helmet.

-Wear leather or other thick, protective clothing.

-Remember that the only thing between you and the road is your protective gear.

-Allow motorists with plenty of time and space to respond to you.

-Ride in the part of a lane where you are most visible.

-Always signal your intended maneuvers.

-Never ride when you're tired or under the influence of alcohol or other drugs.

-Update your driving skills and get formal training and take refresher courses.

With safe driving habits are practiced by all motorists, we can all make a conscious effort to help keep these vulnerable motorists safe on our roadways.