One of the biggest hazards motorcycle riders face is a car or truck making a left turn across their lane of traffic. Some estimates say that half of fatal car-motorcycle collisions happen this way. While motorists are supposed to yield before completing their turn, they often are not paying full attention to vehicles entering their path. Even if they might see a car or truck out of the corner of their eye, a motorcycle or bicycle is much easier to miss, especially if the driver is distracted, inexperienced, or impaired by alcohol or drugs.
According to Virginia State Police, a young driver making a left turn on Franklin Turnpike in Pittsylvania County hit the Harley-Davidson of 63-year-old James Dillard Ley II. Ley, a resident of Danville, died in the crash. Authorities say that the operator of the Toyota Tundra that struck Ley is 17 years old and was charged with reckless driving.
As investigators review what led to this fatal motorcycle accident, there are several reasons why so many “T-Bone” collisions occur in this manner, such as:
- Driver’s failure to recognize — There are more things than ever competing for a vehicle operator’s focus. Whether someone is making a quick glance at their phone, adjusting a sophisticated display or just checking out the businesses on the side of the road, many drivers say that they just never saw the oncoming motorcycle in the lane they were crossing.
- Misjudgment of speed or distance — Drivers frequently underestimate a motorcycle’s speed because of its smaller visual profile. This can cause a situation where a motorist thinks they have enough distance to clear the intersection before the bike arrives.
- Obstructed views — On a busy road, there might be many potential objects that impede a motorist’s vision, including other vehicles, light poles and signs. Unless a driver is careful, they could lose sight of a bike behind an obstruction or in a blind spot.
Ley was killed even though he was wearing a helmet, which demonstrates how dangerous it is for bikers when they are involved in a crash with a car or truck, even when the biker uses proper care. Injuries in these cases are often catastrophic and Virginia’s contributory negligence law gives insurance companies and defense lawyers a heavy incentive to shift blame to the victim.
If you have been hurt, or a loved one has been killed in a motorcycle crash, act quickly. Hunter Law Firm will pursue full compensation for you and push back against defendants’ efforts to avoid liability. We have offices in Newport News, Hampton, Chesapeake and Gloucester. Please call 757-825-0400 or contact us online for a consultation.
