Tag Archives: accident

Irish riders win on wire rope barriers

While wire rope barriers continue to be rolled out in Australia despite growing anger from riders, Irish authorities have admitted they are potentially dangerous to riders.

UK riders rights The Motorcycle Action Group held a meeting earlier this month with the Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure who accepted that wire rope crash barriers were effective for larger vehicles, but posed a hazard to motorcyclists’ safety.

This follows a recent Victorian Auditor General’s report that slammed claims about the safety and cost effectiveness of wire rope barriers.

The auditor’s report found there was no evidence to support the claimed safety benefits for motorcyclists and scooter riders.

It also found Victoria’s WRB rollout was almost $100m over budget, over time and under-maintained.

Irish win

MAG Northern Ireland rep Martyn Boyd says there is “much work still to be done, but this is a good step forward”.

Northern Ireland Department for Infrastructure officers told him that regulatory issues and difficulties with alternative systems made it difficult for an immediate unilateral cessation of their use.

WRB Martyn Boyd Irish
Martyn Boyd: “a good step forward”

“Nevertheless, they understood and accepted our perspective,” he says.

At the end of the meeting, the officers:

  • Accepted that wire rope and steel post type crash barriers are hazardous to motorcyclists’ safety in a collision;
  • Agreed to actively promote, through Northern Ireland road restraint systems standards, the wider use of much safer motorcycle protection system barrier installations at high-risk locations which are or could be particularly hazardous to motorcyclists; and
  • Agreed to work with the local universities on any research projects, with the goal of developing a crash barrier system that is much less harmful to motorcyclists but still effective against twin-track vehicles.

These official Irish and Australian acceptances of the dangers of WRBs represent a significant step in the move to have them banned.

Meanwhile, the potentially lethal barriers continue to be rolled out across the nation.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Helmet safety scanner funding at halfway

A helmet scanner service that checks for hidden fractures in your helmet has reached the halfway point in investment funding.

The Helmet Doctors who developed the helmet laser scanner say it would give riders peace of mind that their helmet is safe to use after a drop or crash, or whether it needs to be replaced.

Helmet Doctors CFO Scott Robinson, who founded the venture with his son, Brayden, says they have raised half of the maximum amount of investment capital required to match a $1 million Federal Government grant.

“This means we are only looking for the remaining $500,000 to create a $2 million start towards a commercialisation rollout.

“A lot of potential investors are somewhat more cautious about start-up opportunities and as you know a lot of the sporting industries have been significantly impacted (FIA & FIM) in their day-to-day operations due to COVID 19.

“We have had an explosion of interest on who we are and what we do with an overwhelming amount of support for our services.”

Scanner support

Last year, the Sunshine Coast family business asked Motorbike Writer to publish a link to a survey about their service and received more than 430 respondents.

More than 70% of respondents supported a $40 helmet scanning service to check for hidden fractures in your helmet.

The survey was important in Helmet Doctors seeking government funding as they needed to know it would be well received by riders, racers and the motorcycle industry.

AusIndustry commercialisation advisors told the company that if we received 100 responses it would be good, 200 would be convincing and 300 would be conclusive.

Scott says they are “flat out like a lizard drinking” and now have staff trained and accredited in NDT laser techniques.

“We have had recent business presentations and talks with one of the major OEM companies about being a value-add service in their chain of stores,” Scott says.

“We will be talking in more detail of this potential partnership once COVID-19 restrictions are further relaxed and the business community can get back to some sort of normality.

Crash starts study

helmet doctors scanning
Brayden is taken away in the ambulance

Scott and Brayden began researching a helmet scanning system after Brayden was hospitalised with a fractured skull from a motocross crash.

They developed their device with the help of a Belgian company and the Composites Research Group in the School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering at The University of Queensland.

“We found this laser scanning technique can categorically guarantee that, if there is any damage to the helmet’s outer shell, our technique will identify it. It’s ground-breaking, proven science,” Scott says.

Need for scanning

Helmet Doctors laser scanning helmets
Helmet scanner

Scott says very few riders know exactly when to replace their helmet.

Manufacturing safety standards say a composite helmet has a lifespan of five years and, if used frequently, about three years.

But what if you drop it or have a crash?

“We have all heard how if you drop your helmet once you should replace it. But very few do this,” Scott says.

“No one knows how much impact a composite helmet can tolerate before the shell is critically weakened.

“Composite materials have many layers and tiny fibres that can be damaged in a fall.

“The impact energy is dispersed among the fibres and away from the brain which it is designed to do.

“This is why a dropped helmet may still look ok.

“However, the impact could have led to a small crack or splintering which you can’t see with the naked eye.

“Our device can view, read and record the helmet 100,000 times better than the naked eye and find if there are any cracks, splintering or deformations which would make the helmet defective and unable to withstand another impact.”

Helmet scanning scheme

Helmet Doctors laser scan helmets scanning
Helmet scan identifies a flaw

The Helmet Doctors plan to test their service first in South East Queensland.

Riders would take their helmet to a participating motorcycle dealer where they would leave it and pick it up a few days later.

The helmet would be sent to the nearest scanner depot where it would be scanned, assessed and returned.

“As you could imagine this experimental laser camera is very expensive, but our goal is to make this service accessible and cheap enough for everyone to use it,” Scott says.

If the project is successful, they hope to extend the service to other states and overseas.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Hit-run driver sentenced on scooter crash

A 55-year-old Toyota Hi-Lux driver who hit and injured a woman, 34, riding a Vespa scooter last August before driving off has been sentenced in a Sydney court today.

Paul Andrew Brown was found guilty in May at a hearing in Burwood Local Court on charges of failing to stop and render aid, negligent driving occasioning grievous bodily harm, and not exchanging particulars.

He was sentenced to undertake a 12-month intensive correction order, an 18-month community correction order, both supervised by Burwood Community Corrections.

His licence has also been disqualified for 18 months and he was ordered to pay a $600 fine for not exchanging particulars.

The collision occurred at the intersection of Wellbank and Spring streets, in Concord, about 7.45pm on 14 August 2019.

Police told the court the driver of the utility failed to stop to render assistance to the rider and continued to drive north on Spring Street.

The scooter rider, a 34-year-old woman, suffered serious injuries and was taken to Royal Prince Alfred Hospital.

Crash Investigation Unit officers found the ute parked in North Strathfield about 2.30pm the next day.

After a short foot pursuit, police arrested Brown and took him to Burwood Police Station were he was charged.

Spate of hit-and-run crashes

The incident follows a worrying spate of hit-and-run crashes leaving riders injured and dead.

In NSW, the requirement for those involved in a crash to remain at the scene until police arrive was dropped in 2014, even if a tow truck is required.

However, the motorists must report the incident to police and remain at the scene if anyone is injured.

If they don’t, police can charge a motorist with failing to stop at the scene of an accident which is considered a serious offence.

Depending on whether someone is injured or killed in the crash, the motorist responsible could face serious charges with up to 10 years in jail.

Police say motorists leaving an accident scene where someone is injured decrease a victim’s chance of survival.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

What Kind of Injuries Can be Sustained in a Motorcycle Accident?

(By David Martin*)

Motorcycle accidents are something everyone wants to avoid. Unfortunately, accidents do happen, and any number of injuries can take place when this occurs.

In addition, riders are much more exposed than vehicle drivers and passengers, which can lead to more severe injuries and even some that are unique to motorcyclists. It is important to understand the risks and also know what measures to take to protect the most vulnerable body parts in case an accident takes place.

Head Injuries

Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI) are one of the most severe injuries that can be suffered by a human being. The head is especially exposed when riding a motorcycle, which is why wearing a helmet is so important.

Despite this, in 15% of accidents in which a rider wearing a helmet is involved, there is a TBI. This shows that not even a helmet is a failsafe protection. Therefore, it’s important to have an updated health insurance policy in case an accident takes place.

There are three different degrees of severity of TBI, which are mild (also known as a concussion), moderate, and severe. In any case, the person involved will need to go to the hospital, where costly procedures might be necessary.

Depending on the severity, the person involved might only need an examination but there is also the potential of needing surgery and rehabilitation. These and other expenses can be attenuated if a good motorcycle accident attorney is hired if the person wants to present a case against who they think was responsible for the accident.

Neck Injuries

Neck injuries are also very common given  how exposed the neck is during a collision. It has been estimated that this type of injury takes place in 22% of motorcycle accidents. One of the most common neck injuries is whiplash, which happens to both riders and car drivers.

Whiplash is caused by a quick and strong stretching of the neck, which results in a stretching of the cervical spine. These injuries often happen when the bike is hit from behind.

Symptoms associated with whiplash can include dizziness, sore neck, headaches, and poor balance.

Facial Injuries

These injuries usually happen when the person is not wearing a helmet or when the helmet is oversized, causing it to hurt the face during the crash. Half helmets and three-quarter helmets can also lead to face injuries as they do not protect the face entirely.

While these helmets might look cooler, a full-sized helmet is always the smartest way to go to protect your face. After all, it has been estimated that facial injuries take place in about 10% of motorcycle accidents.

This means that it’s much better to invest a little extra on a nice full helmet than to go for a riskier option that could lead to lifelong disfigurement and severe injury.

Spinal Injury

Spinal injuries are one of the worst types of injuries a person could suffer. They can have lifelong consequences, which go from mild discomfort to paralysis and death.

It is important to contact a motorcycle accident attorney in case of a spinal injury as the consequences can be quite debilitating. When someone else is at fault or even if the health insurance company is not providing the aid it should be, these cases can be taken to court.

Keep in mind that the brain communicates with the rest of the body through the spine. If this communication is cut due to a traumatic accident, the rest of the body will be severely affected.

In some cases, the injury can be improved and even entirely reversed with surgery or rehabilitation. Rehab will be focused on restoring flexibility, strength and, eventually, mobility, which can be a long and painful process.

Emotional Trauma

The mind can be injured as well, even if no physical damage can be observed. This is often ignored, but in reality, people involved in a motorcycle accident are likely to develop PTSD, which can be very detrimental to mental health.

Furthermore, people who suffer a serious injury can end up falling into a deep depression, which might require therapy for its correct management. It’s important to evaluate the presence of any signs or symptoms of emotional trauma and look for medical health if these are observed.

* About the author

David Martin is a marketing executive and paralegal assistant for Motorcyclelawyerla.com. He has established himself as a prominent author in personal injury matters. In his free time, you can find him playing golf in the public courses.

David Martin crash expert
David Martin

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Smart helmet calls for help after crash

Emergency call systems are coming to motorcycles and helmets with a French company the latest to release a helmet that calls for help if you crash.

The Kosmos Smart Helmet has sensors which detect a crash and then uses your paired phone and a proprietary app to contact emergency services.

However, just in case you’ve only had a small fall or dropped your helmet, the system first contacts the rider to check.

If the rider doesn’t respond to cancel within a certain time, the emergency call is placed and provides details on the riders location as well as relevant health information.

It’s not the first helmet with this technology.

Help helmets

Several other helmets that call for help after a crash are also being developed.

They include the Encephalon (Brain) from Nand Logic in the USA, the Indian-made Quin and even a Thai Helpmet. And in December, US college student Ty Uehara won $US2000 to develop his ConTekt helmet that will call emergency (911) if you have been in a crash.

Call bikes

These emergency call systems have been available in cars for some time and are now mandated throughout Europe with motorcycles and possibly helmets expected to be included in the future.

It also may not be long before it is mandated in Australia after an Austroads report last year found that motorcycles should be fitted with the automatic crash call technology to reduce emergency response times which are more lethal in our rural and remote areas.

It points out that motorcyclist deaths have remained stable in major cities over the past decade, but increased in regional and remote Australia by up to almost 50% in recent years.

BMW Motorrad was the first motorcycle company to offer an SOS button in Europe.

BMW's SOS button
BMW’s SOS button

It is not yet available in Australia because of an eCall hardware update and the lack of a nationwide rollout. Telstra also does not yet have the right hardware.

Germany tech company Bosch is the latest to join the hi-tech safety revolution.

The Bosch system uses an “intelligent crash algorithm installed in the vehicle’s inertial sensor unit” to identify a crash via the various sensors such as an accelerometer and lean sensor.

It pairs with their Help Connect phone app to send your location to a Bosch Service Centre.

All of these systems have similar failsafe

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Motorcycle cop rammed by ute

A ute driver has been charged after a Queensland road policing officer’s motorcycle was rammed by a ute in Brisbane overnight (5 July 2020).

Police say the incident occurred about 8.30pm when the officer was conducting traffic enforcement on the northbound lanes of the Gateway Motorway near Mount Gravatt Capalaba Road.

The bike cop detected a ute “allegedly travelling at speed” towards the Old Cleveland Road exit and intercepted it near the Old Cleveland Road off-ramp.

As the officer approached the ute it will be alleged the driver reversed at speed for a distance, colliding with the front of the police motorcycle causing it to fall onto its side and sustain minor damage,” a police statement says.

“The officer suffered minor injuries only.”

The ute was later found in Parkridge Avenue at Caboolture where the alleged driver, a 60-year-old man, was arrested without incident.

He has been charged with dangerous operation of a motor vehicle and serious assault of a police officer and is expected to appear in the Brisbane Magistrates Court on September 30. 

Investigations continue.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.

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

Quote this reference number: QP2001397121 within the online suspicious activity form.

Riders dies in Bruxner crash

In northern NSW, a 59-year-old male rider died in a crash yesterday on the Bruxner Highway, about 40km east of Tenterfield.

NSW Police have been told the man was travelling west on the highway in a convoy with other motorcycles, when he became separated from the group and crashed.

New England Police District is investigating the crash and calling for information or dashcam footage.

Contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

A report will be prepared for the Coroner.

Our sincere condolences to the family and friends of the rider.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

GoFundMe started for rider’s family

A GoFundMe page has started for the family of Brian Carter, a father of four who died when his motorcycle collided head-on with a Toyota last Friday on the Sunshine Coast.

Queensland Police say Brian, 37, was riding south on the Nambour Connection Rd at Parklands when it collided with the car heading in the opposite direction from the Bruce Highway offramp about 11.30am.

“The rider was taken to Nambour Hospital but was declared deceased shortly afterwards,” police say.

A GoFundMe page for Brian’s family has now been started and already raised more than $11,000.

Brian leaves behind his wife Alana and their four young daughters.

Family, friends and the motorcycle community are asked to go to the GoFundMe page help raise some financial support for this young family in their time of need.

The driver of the Toyota was transported to Sunshine Coast University Hospital in a serious condition.

Police are appealing for anyone who may have been travelling in the area at the time of the crash or has dash cam vision to come forward.

The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.

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

Quote this reference number: QP2001325840 within the online suspicious activity form.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Which Occurs More Often in Dallas: Motorcycle or Car Accidents?

(Contributed article for our North American readers)

Motor vehicle accidents injure and kill countless Texans every year. The city of Dallas is no exception. In fact, Dallas has more motor vehicle accidents than nearly every other city in the entire state. 

In 2018 alone, there were 31,950 motor vehicle crashes in Dallas, TX.194 of these accidents were fatal, and 867 resulted in serious injuries to passengers. 

It is important to note, however, that these 31,950 total accidents in Dallas involved various types of motor vehicles. Two of the most common types of vehicles involved in Dallas motor vehicle accidents are passenger cars and motorcycles. But which type of vehicle results in more accidents in Dallas? Read on to find out and learn more about what you can do after an accident in Dallas, TX. 

Dallas Motor Vehicle Accident Statistics in General

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 14.47 people per 100,000 died on Dallas streets in 2017. One source notes that Dallas reported 1.57 speeding fatalities per 100,000 people—the most in the United States. Additionally, Dallas had the fifth-highest rate of fatal traffic accidents among the 25 largest cities in the United States. 

To be frank, Dallas roads can be dangerous. However, some types of vehicles can put you and your loved ones at risk more than others. 

Car vs. Motorcycle Accidents: Which Occurs More Often?

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) reported the following statistics in 2018 with respect to passenger car vehicle accidents: 

  • 487,421  total crashes; 
  • 48,252 non-incapacitating injury crashes; 
  • 8,383 suspected serious injury crashes; and
  • 1,763 fatal crashes.

While Texas did experience a decrease in overall traffic fatalities from 2017 to 2018, these numbers are still concerning. 

With respect to motorcycle accidents, TxDOT reported the following statistics in 2018: 

  • 7,863 total crashes;
  • 2,735 non-incapacitating injury crashes; 
  • 1,844 suspected serious injury crashes; and
  • 436 fatal crashes. 

A quick comparison of the statistics for car and motorcycle accidents in Texas will provide a quick answer—passenger car accidents are by far more common in Texas. However, these numbers don’t necessarily show which type of motor vehicle is more dangerous or more prone to accidents. 

The Real Question—Which Type of Vehicle Is More Dangerous?

Passenger cars are the primary mode of transportation for most Americans. This is the main reason that there are so many more passenger car crashes than motorcycle crashes each year.

However, based on the TxDOT statistics above, less than 1% of the 487,421 total passenger car accidents in 2018 were fatal. This percentage is very small compared to the number of fatal cases in motorcycle accidents. In 2018, nearly 6% of the 7,863 total motorcycle accidents were fatal. 

In fact, in 2017, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that motorcyclists were 27 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a car crash per vehicle mile traveled. Thus, while car accidents occur more often than motorcycle accidents, this does not mean that motorcycle accidents are “safe” by any means. 

Motorcycle Accidents in Dallas

There are numerous reports of motorcycle accidents in and around Dallas, TX. Often, these accidents occur at no fault of the motorcyclist and are instead due to the actions of other negligent drivers. 

The fact of the matter is that regardless of what precautions you take, motorcycles are inherently more dangerous than passenger cars. Failure to wear a helmet can make matters even worse. In fact, in 2018, 49% of motorcyclists killed in an accident were not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. 

What to Do Next If You Are Involved in a Car or Motorcycle Accident in Dallas

Regardless of which type of accident occurs more often, the fact remains that there is always a chance that you might be involved in a motor vehicle accident in Dallas. Whether your primary mode of transportation is a motorcycle or a passenger car, if you sustain injuries in a collision, it is important to know your rights and what steps to take.

What Damages You May Be Entitled to Recover

If you are involved in a car or motorcycle accident in Dallas, you may be entitled to damages. Legal “damages” are the “costs associated with your car accident that you might be entitled to receive to help you recover.” [source: https://www.injuryrelief.com/dallas-car-accident-lawyer/]

Damages that you may be able to recover in a motor vehicle accident case include compensation for: 

  • Property damage to your vehicle; 
  • Past and future medical expenses; 
  • Lost wages or lost earning capacity due to your injuries; 
  • Pain and suffering; 
  • Stress and anxiety; 
  • Emotional distress; and 
  • Loss of enjoyment of life. 

If any of the above legal damages exist in your case, it is imperative that you take action so that you can begin working toward your recovery. Knowing your rights and what you may be entitled to recover is crucial to getting the compensation you deserve. 

When to Start Taking Action

If you or a loved one has sustained injuries in a motor vehicle accident in Dallas, don’t wait. One of the most important things to note about car and motorcycle accidents in Texas is the statute of limitations. 

A statute of limitations is essentially the timeframe in which you must bring a certain type of legal claim. In Texas, the statute of limitations for filing a car or motorcycle accident claim is two years. This means that you must file your legal claim within two years from the date of the accident. Failure to do so could result in losing your right to recover compensation. Thus, make sure to act quickly to ensure that you give yourself enough time to bring any legal claims. 

If you are ready to take action, consider reaching out to a motorcycle or car accident lawyer to help you navigate the legal process. If you don’t feel ready to take that step quite yet, you should at least start looking for resources online to help you determine what next steps to take, if any. 

Regardless of where you are in the process, don’t forget to seek medical attention as soon as practicable. Car and motorcycle accidents can cause significant physical and emotional trauma, so make sure you take care of yourself first and foremost. 

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Holidays start with tragic rider crash

The Queensland school holidays have got off to a tragic start with a 37-year-old male rider dying after a collision with a vehicle at Parklands on the Sunshine Coast today (26 June 2020).

Queensland Police say their preliminary investigations show that around 11.30am a blue motorcycle was heading south on Nambour Connection Road when it collided with a black Toyota travelling north from the Bruce Highway offramp.

“The rider was taken to Nambour Hospital but was declared deceased shortly afterwards,” police say.

The driver of the Toyota was transported to Sunshine Coast University Hospital in a serious condition.

Police are appealing for anyone who may have been travelling in the area at the time of the crash or has dash cam vision to come forward.

The Forensic Crash Unit is investigating.

If you have information for police, contact Policelink by providing information using the online suspicious activity form 24hrs per day at www.police.qld.gov.au/reporting.

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

Quote this reference number: QP2001325840 within the online suspicious activity form.

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

Riders should take note to exercise extra caution with the substantially heavier traffic on the roads during the school holidays, especially around tourist destinations.

Serious crash

Queensland Police are also calling for dash cam video or witnesses to a serious motorcycle crash at Yeppoon on Tuesday evening (23 June 2020).

The crash occurred about 8pm on Matthew Flinders Drive.

Police say the rider turned into Poplar Street and “lost control”, hitting a tree.

The 22-year-old man was transported to the Rockhampton Base Hospital for treatment to life-threatening-injuries.

Our best wishes to the rider for a full and speedy recovery.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com

Watch shocking motorcycle hit and run!

This hit-and-run crash on an LA freeway is shocking, but also amazing as the rider received only minor injuries.

It was recorded by driver Will Panda on his mobile phone about 7pm on Friday (19 June 2020).

“I saw a van coming up behind us with sparks flying and then we caught this passing us by,” he says on his YouTube channel where he posted the video.

“A hit and run driver in Corona smashed into a motorcycle, pinning it under his bumper and dragging it off the highway. We doubled back to see if we could find him but he had run his car into a fence and presumably took off running.

“It looked straight out of a movie, we could not believe it, we hope the motorcyclist is okay!”

According to CBS Los Angeles, the rider is ok, but has complained about pain to his arms and legs.

They report that the driver has not yet been taken into custody or charged.

It seems absolutely amazing that the rider in this hit-and-run incident on an LA freeway received only minor injuries.The wrecked bike is finally dislodged

Hit and run crashes

We have reported on many hit-and-run crashes involving motorcycles over the years.

It seems drivers think they can get away with hitting a motorcycle and doing a runner.

There can be several reasons for this, mainly the fact that a crash wth a motorcycle tends to have minimal impact on a four-wheeled vehicle so it is capable of driving off.

The fact that the bike and rider may be incapacitated also means they are unlikely to be able to give chase.

But we also wonder if there is a growing callous disregard for the health and safety of riders.

Do they view us as having a death wish?

Hit-and-run drivers face heftier penalties if caught, including lengthy jail time, depending on the jurisdiction.

However, they are only charged with leaving the scene of an accident if there is a death, injury, or a tow truck is required and the incident is reported to police.

Not only do drivers face tougher penalties for leaving the scene of an accident where someone is injured, but it also decreases a victim’s chance of survival.

Source: MotorbikeWriter.com