Tag Archives: accident

Rider dies after crash with Townsville Mayor

A 33-year-old male rider has died in Townsville Hospital after a collision with Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill’s Commodore yesterday (30 January 2020).

Scene of the accident (Google Maps) mayorScene of the accident (Google Maps)

Queensland Police say their preliminary investigations indicate the car was turning right into Alfred Street when it collided with the Suzuki motorcycle travelling south along Nathan Street.

mayorMayor’s car heading north, turning right and motorcycle heading south (Google Maps)

Witnesses, including an off-duty doctor, rendered first aid to the rider before he was transported to Townsville Hospital where he was declared deceased.

Our sincere condolences to the rider’s family and friends.

The 59-year-old Mayor was not physically injured, but is now being treated for shock.

Officers from the Forensic Crash Unit are continuing investigations.

Anyone who witnessed the crash, or has dashcam footage, is urged to contact police.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.

You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.

Quote this reference number: QP2000208487

Council statement

Townsville Council released a statement confirming the Mayor’s involvement in the accident.

“Our hearts go out to everyone involved in this tragedy,” it says.

“We understand that the Mayor is currently being treated for shock.

“No further statement will be made at this time.

“We respectfully ask that all parties involved are given privacy at this time.”

Intersection crashes

Two out of every three accidents (66.7%) occur at intersections, according to the 2017 US Motorcycle Crash Causation Study.

Most accidents involving motorcycles and other vehicles occur when the other vehicle is turning across their path.

The result can be lethal as the rider hits the car in a t-bone fashion, rather than a glancing blow.

Check our tips for avoiding these types of crashes.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Drivers face court over motorbike crashes

Two drivers who ran a red light and a give way sign, hitting and injuring motorbike riders have appeared in court today (29 January 2020) as the wheels of justice grind slowly on.

Give way crash

Liverpool driver Shaokun Zhu, 30, appeared in Liverpool Local Court today charged with negligence after allegedly driving through a give way sign and hitting a motorcyclist in Sydney’s west on 30 October 2019.

He has now been listed for a hearing on 26 May 2020.

NSW Police will allege he was driving a Volkswagen Passat west along Cabramatta Road West when he went through a give way sign without stopping.

His VW hit a motorbike being ridden by a 28-year-old man who was thrown from the bike.

The rider suffered significant injuries including a fractured shoulder, pelvis and hip, as well as serious cuts and abrasions.

The scene was examined by officers from the Metropolitan Crash Investigation Unit.

Shaokun Zhu was arrested and charged with dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm.

His licence was suspended and he was given conditional bail which has been extended.

Red light crash

In the second incident last September, SUV driver Daniel Marjoribanks was charged after allegedly running a red light and hitting a rider at the intersection of Schofields and Windsor roads, Rouse Hill.

“The driver allegedly turned right against the red arrow and struck a motorcycle which was being ridden north through the intersection,” police will allege.

The motorcyclist, a 63-year-old man, suffered multiple compound fractures to his right leg and fractured ribs.

Marjoribanks was charged with:

  • Dangerous driving occasioning grievous bodily harm;
  • Negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm;
  • Fail to stop and assist after vehicle impact causing grievous bodily harm;
  • Fail to stop and assist after impact cause injury;
  • Drive when visiting privileges withdrawn – first offence; and
  • Not give particulars to injured person.

He appeared for the third time in Blacktown Local Court this morning where the matter was again adjourned for mention on February 12.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Smart motorcycle gloves hold medical info

Riders are well advised to keep their medical information on them in the unfortunate event of a crash.

There are many ways to carry important medical information such as blood type, allergies, emergency contacts, etc.

Medical info

You can store them on a USB stick on your keyring, keep a card in your wallet, or store it on your phone. Each has advantages and disadvantages.

ice emergcency USB flyingI.C.E.mergency USB stores medical information.

For example, a USB stick may not be of any use if the first responder doesn’t have a computer while your phone may have a security PIN lock.

Probably the easiest solution is to keep a card in your wallet as that is where first responders check first.

They are also trained to check keys, phones and any labels on your helmet, clothing and bike.

medical informationFirst responder checks for medical info

The idea of making this information available is that first responders will know how to correctly treat you.

It may mean the difference between life and death!

Smart glove

smart Racer gloves hold medical infoQR code

Now French glove company Racer has developed a smart glove that includes that info for emergency services.

The Racer ID1 gloves feature a special Quick Response (QR) code on the inside of the glove’s cuff.

QR codes have been around since 1994 and are mainly used in advertising.

However, ambulance officers can also scan them with their phone to quickly reveal the relevant info. That’s great if the first responder has such an application on their phone.

Our other concern is that the QR code is fairly small and could easily be missed, plus gloves can come off in a slide down the road.

Racer mainly make ski gloves, but also have a wide range of casual-style motorcycle gloves for summer and heated gloves for winter.

smart Racer gloves hold medical infoCommand and Tourer gloves

The ID1 gloves are not yet on the market, but they seem to have raised the funds to produce the gloves.

It appears they will be available in summer, winter and touring models.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Driver charged over fatal bike crash

A 70-year-old male driver will face court in March charged over a fatal motorcycle crash in Dubbo on New year’s Eve 2019.

NSW Police say the driver’s ute collided with a motorcycle about 9pm on the Mitchell Highway in Maryvale, just north of Wellington.

A male rider in his 20s died at the scene.

NSW Police say that due to the circumstances of the crash, he has still not been formally identified.

The utility caught fire and was extinguished by NSW Rural Fire Service.

The driver and his female passenger suffered injuries and were airlifted to Orange Base Hospital.

Orana Mid-Western Police District officers and the Crash Investigation Unit began investigating the crash.

Police say that, “following inquiries”, a 70-year-old man attended Orange Police Station yesterday (26 January 2020) and was arrested.

He was charged with:

He was granted conditional bail to appear at Wellington Local Court on 19 March 2020.

Our sincere condolences to the rider’s family and friends. We will follow this matter through the courts.

Meanwhile, NSW Police advise that no charges have yet been laid over the fatality involving a Kia Rio and six motorcycles in Kyogle on 20 October 2019.

The killed rider and five injured riders and pillions were members of the Sons Of The Southern Cross motorcycle club.

Car ploughed into riders monthKyogle crash aftermath (Image: Seven News)

Mobility scooter rider dies

An 80-year-old man has died in hospital today (27 January 2020) after his mobility scooter collided with a utility in Sydney’s last Wednesday.

Police say the scooter drove out of a driveway on Milton Street, Granville, on to the road where it was hit by a VW Amarok.

The rider was treated at the scene by NSW Ambulance paramedics before being taken to Westmead Hospital in a critical condition.

The 39-year-old male driver of the utility was breath tested at the scene and returned a negative result.

We trust this will not be recorded in the statistics as a fatal motorcycle or moped crash.

Our sincere condolences to the scooter rider’s family and friends.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Rider seriously injured in Southport crash

A 24-year-old male rider has been seriously injured in a collision with a car in Southport this morning (25 January 2020).

Queensland Police say their initial investigations indicate that about 8.50am, a blue Toyota Corolla hatchback and a red Yamaha motorcycle collided at the intersection of Anne and Shirley streets, Southport.Southport Crash

The rider was seriously injured and transported to hospital in a critical condition.

The 75-year-old female driver of the Corolla was transported to hospital in a stable condition.

We sincerely wish both injured motorists a full and speedy recovery.

Police are appealing to any members of the public who may have witnessed the crash or have relevant dash-cam footage to contact police.

Forensic Crash Unit are investigating.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink on 131 444 or provide information using the online form 24hrs per day.

You can report information about crime anonymously to Crime Stoppers, a registered charity and community volunteer organisation, by calling 1800 333 000 or via crimestoppersqld.com.au 24hrs per day.

Quote this reference number: QP2000172627

Intersection crashes

Two out of every three accidents (66.7%) occur at intersections, according to the 2017 US Motorcycle Crash Causation Study.

Most accidents involving motorcycles and other vehicles occur when the other vehicle is turning across their path.

The result can be lethal as the rider hits the car in a t-bone fashion, rather than a glancing blow.

Check our tips for avoiding these types of crashes.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Is It Wise To Call Your Lawyer When In Trouble In Another State?

(Contributed post for our North American readers)

An accident can happen anywhere at any time, and this sense of precariousness will leave you feeling anxious and insecure. Having legal assistance ready at the dial is incredibly handy, but what if something happens and you find yourself in a predicament beyond the borders of your home state? Perhaps you are on a business trip in California and got into a major car accident – but you actually reside in Illinois, where all those who can help you, including friends, family, and your lawyer are also based. It might seem very confusing and scary figuring out what to do at first, and with good reason. The laws in each state are different, and wrapping your head around what your rights are is not the easiest thing to do in the heat of the moment. 

If you do get into trouble while traveling, you might want to keep in mind that there are specific laws that apply in different states. The following are a few tips to help illuminate the proper procedures for you.

What is the Jurisdiction?

Let’s start with the most basic issue: jurisdiction laws usually claim that from the state where the accident took place, you need to file a case. At the same time, plaintiffs do end up hiring the lawyer that they are familiar with from their state to help, and in this event, if this lawyer is going to represent you then they have to be recognized in the state. It doesn’t matter if you have gotten robbed or were involved in a car accident. It’s all the same, and so if you need an attorney to represent you in the state in which an accident occurred, they need to be licensed there. So if you’re from out of state and find yourself in California, for example, and your car gets wrecked, then action needs to be taken immediately. You may think that the first thing to do is call your lawyer, but it might be far more prudent to find a car accident lawyer in San Diego, CA, than to reach out to your lawyer back home in Illinois who is not certified to work in the other state. You could consult your lawyer to direct you to someone reliable in the current state to help you out. 

Alternative option

As an alternative option your lawyer can apply for a limited law license if you really value your lawyer’s work and trust them wholeheartedly. However, bear in mind that the states follow through on this option only in very specific instances and usually reserve them for legal aid services or public defenders. This is also something that may take up time unnecessarily, but it’s important to know that it is an option if you are adamant on having your own lawyer from out of state take on your case. 

In more extreme cases, the state makes exceptions and permit in-house counsel. This is when a company employs an attorney from out-of-state to plead their case. Again, this is a rarity, so it’s best not to bank on this being a solution since it depends on your own specific situation.

When the “writing is on the wall”

Hiring an in-state lawyer might be your best option, depending on the nature of your case. There are instances where you won’t have to be responsible for finding a lawyer. If, for example, you are involved in a car accident, then it’s important for you to know that often these kinds of cases are taken care of outside the court, and you’ll be provided with a lawyer, most likely by your insurance company. However, in some cases, it does go to court, and in the event that this happens, and you’re unable to work out a settlement, then it’s time to look for a lawyer yourself who is well versed with the laws of the state in question.

law lawyer justice crash accident legal courtImage: Pixabay

At the end of the day, getting into any kind of trouble when traveling is hugely taxing emotionally and psychologically. You will want to find the best person for the job, meaning the best match for you. It all comes down to sharing a mutual level of trust with your attorney – if you don’t trust the person tasked with protecting you, then it might be an uphill battle. Furthermore, you want to find someone able to work in the state in question. Hiring someone who works in an entirely different state from the scene of the crime might not be the best judgement call when all is considered.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

MotoCAP adds 15 safety and comfort ratings

The internationally awarded MotoCAP safety and thermal comfort ratings system for motorcycle clothing has added 15 more items to its list of tested gear.

The Australian safety intitiative, launched in September last year, is the first of its type in the world.

It has now rated 186 items of clothing, including 50 pairs of pants, 90 jackets and 46 pairs of gloves.

Safety and comfort

Macna Vosges Nighteye comfortMacna Vosges Nighteye

Of the newly rated jackets, two were leather which scored two stars for safety. All the others were textile and scored just one star for safety except the Alpinestars T-Core Air Drystar and Macna Vosges Nighteye which scored two stars.

The best of the newly added jackets  for beating the current heatwave was the $500 Spidi Ventamax (top image on this page) which scored three stars for thermal comfort. The others scored from half a star to two stars.

Best of the newly rated pants are the Bull-It Covert Blue which scored two stars for safety and three for comfort and the BMW City denim trousers which only scored one safety star but four for comfort.

International award

Last month, MotoCAP won a Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) road safety award.

MotoCAP gives clothing two separate star ratings – one for protection and one for heat management or comfort.

Clothing manufacturers’ advertising is not an extremely useful resource for protection in a crash or from the extremes of an Australian summer.

Australian Motorcycle Council Protective Clothing sub-committee chair Brian Wood points out that MotoCAP tests the whole garment, unlike European Protective Clothing Standards which only tests samples of fabrics, fastenings and stitching.

“(It) gives the motorcycle community more information when they are making choices about the clothing they wear when riding,” he says.

MotoCAP is a partnership between Transport for NSW, State Insurance Regulatory Authority (SIRA), VicRoads, Transport Accident Commission (TAC), Royal Automobile Club of Victoria (RACV), Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR), Motor Accident Insurance Commission (MAIC), Lifetime Support Authority (LSA), Western Australian Police: Road Safety Commission, Department of State Growth, Insurance Australia Group (IAG), Australian Motorcycle Council and Accident Compensation Corporation in New Zealand.

Testing is carried out by the Deakin University Institute for Frontier Materials on behalf of the MotoCAP partners.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

What To Know When You’ve Had A Motorbike Accident

(Contributed article for our North American readers)

Riding motorbikes is really fun but it stops being fun when you have a motorbike accident. Are you prepared for that? If not, here are some tips you can follow so that you know what to do if you do become a part of an accident while riding your motorbike.

Motorcycle-Versus-Car Accident

This is one of the most common motor vehicle collisions and it often doesn’t look good for the motorcycle rider afterward. This is because of the sheer difference in body size of each motor vehicle – a car can only be partially damaged on most occasions but the motorbike will definitely be in pieces from the collision.

Apart from the following steps, you need to contact a motorcycle injury attorney to help you after a motorcycle accident, especially if the accident wasn’t your fault.

Steps To Take Immediately After the Accident

  1. If you are injured, your most important priority is to get medical attention right away. If there are bystanders crowding around, ask if they can call for an ambulance. If an ambulance is not available, ask a kind-hearted person in the crowd if she knows of any doctor clinics nearby.
  2. Look for a traffic enforcer or policeman to attend to you and the other driver. Do not leave the scene of the accident if your life is not in danger and your injuries are minimal. It is important to provide your driver information to the traffic enforcer or policeman so that he can document the incident.
  3. Take pictures of the accident with your phone. This is very important especially if you and your motorbike are insured because the insurance company will need to make sure about the liability for the accident. Photos are invaluable for determining the extent of the damage to you and your motorbike. Be sure to take a photo of the face of the other driver too because that will be needed too.
  4. Get the other party’s insurance information. If the other party has no insurance coverage at the time of the accident, you may have to call a motorcycle injury lawyer to find out what you should do next. This is important because the other party might not have sufficient funds to pay for the damages related to the accident. Your lawyer will help you by pursuing the other party for legal liabilities so that you can pay for your own injuries and possibly buy a new motorbike.

Recovering from a Motorcycle Accident

crash knowImage: Shutterstock

Getting into a motorbike accident doesn’t happen all the time, but it does happen when you least expect it. If you were wearing a helmet at the time, then you are one of the lucky ones – if you weren’t wearing one you might not be reading this article at all. A motorcycle accident can result in serious injuries so it’s a good idea to see how to recover from such a collision if that happened to you.

  • Have yourself examined by a competent doctor. If possible, get this check-up right after the accident because you most likely suffered from serious injuries, especially if the motor vehicle your motorbike collided with was a car.
  • If you have accident insurance, that will help pay for your medical treatments. Did you break any bones in the accident? You will need money to pay for the doctor’s fee and any medical intervention (such as putting your fractured body part in a cast). Will you have to pay for medicine, such as painkillers? That should also be covered.
  • Take sick leave from your workplace for some time. You need to recuperate at home so don’t force yourself to go to work if you’re in no condition to work. Ask a friend or relative to stay with you if you live alone, so there is someone who can help you get around (like if you need to go to the bathroom).
  • Ask your immediate superior at work about how you can resume work while you are still under medical supervision (such as when your body part is in a cast). A compassionate employer would be willing to help you go back to earning a living after the accident. Sometimes, this means being reassigned to another department in the workplace where you can be accommodated while you recover.

Final Thoughts

If you like riding motorbikes, you need to know what to do if ever you figure in a collision with a car. It is usually best to have motor vehicle insurance and personal accident insurance if you like riding motorbikes. If you don’t have that kind of insurance, you may need a motorcycle injury lawyer to assist you in filing a case against the other party so that you can be awarded a settlement or pursue a claim that will allow you to be compensated due to the injuries and damages you now have to deal with.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

UK motorcyclist fatalities increase yet casualties decrease

(Contributed UK post)

In most respects, the world is becoming a safer place and UK roads are no exception. According to a recent government report, more than 25,000 serious injuries occurred in road traffic accidents reported to the police in 2018. While this might seem a high figure, it is actually part of a downward trend. The rate of fatalities per billion vehicle miles has actually fallen by 1% over the year from 2017 to 2018, with a proportionate fall in accident claims. Over the long term, the trend is even more pronounced; there were 6352 road fatalities in 1979, and just 1784. When you consider that the population of the country has risen over the intervening decades, this is a fairly impressive turnaround.

What has made UK roads safer?

Several factors are behind this improvement. For one thing, we’re all better drivers – or, at least, we’re more aware of the types of driving that qualify as dangerous. In 1967, the Road Safety Act introduced the UK’s first drink-drive limit, along with the breathalyser test. But it took gradual cultural change before the idea of ‘one for the road’ became widely disapproved-of.

Another influence comes from the vehicles themselves. Crumple zones, airbags and seat belts have all been around for a while, but they’re just the most obvious examples of a broader trend toward safer vehicles.

Other short-term factors can reduce the casualty number. For example, anything that reduces the amount of traffic on the road, like a hike in the price of fuel or a decline in wages, will also slash the rate of accidents.

Motorcyclists

Just about every category of road vehicle has enjoyed a decline in fatality-rates over the year between 2017 and 2018. But there is one exception, and that’s motorcycles, where the rate has risen by 1%. With that said, the rate of casualties has fallen by 7%. You’ll find similar statistics in other countries, like the US, which suggests that the problem lies with the vehicle itself rather than any quirk of UK law.

So what makes motorcyclists such a special category? To begin with the obvious, motorcycles have two wheels rather than four, and so the rider’s skill can play a much more important role in preventing a fatal injury during a crash.

Second, motorcycles are smaller and more difficult to see than other sorts of vehicle. This lack of visibility makes it more likely that another motorist will pull out into the wrong lane, for example, resulting in an accident.

Third, while motorcycles come with their own safety features, they’re not developed with the same focus on safety as the equivalent cars. Moreover, airbags and mirrors and other safety equipment take up space, and add weight. On a smaller vehicle, presents a dilemma for manufacturers.

Finally, motorcycles are generally more fun to ride, and offer a sense of freedom which can encourage riders to take unnecessary risks.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

65-year-old rider dies in barrier crash

A 65-year-old man has died after his motorcycle crashed into a barrier on the Richmond Road off-ramp of the M7 motorway in Dean Park, Sydney, about 2.45pm today (17 January 2020).

Police say the rider was treated by NSW Ambulance paramedics but died at the scene.

Officers from Quakers Hill Police Area Command attended and established a crime scene.

An investigation into the circumstances surrounding the crash has commenced and a report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Anyone with information about this incident is urged to contact Crime Stoppers: 1800 333 000 or https://nsw.crimestoppers.com.au. Information is treated in strict confidence. The public is reminded not to report crime via NSW Police social media pages.

Our sincere condolences to the rider’s family and friends.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com