Man is thrown from motorcycle and dies in Norfolk, Virginia accident

Emily Mapp Brannon
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Posted by Emily Mapp BrannonApril 04, 2009 2:36 AM

Around 6pm on April 3, 2009 a man riding a motorcycle on East Ocean View Avenue in Norfolk, VA ran into a car. The car was attempting to make a left turn and upon impact the motorcycle driver was thrown from the bike. WVEC 13 News reported the motorcycle driver was pronounced dead at the scene. The names of those involved have not been released and the accident is under investigation.

The Outer Banks of North Carolina will be hosting the OBX Bike Week April 23-26, 2009. As the cities of Manteo, Nags Head, Kill Devil Hills and Kitty Hawk prepare for this week it is my hope that so will the motorists who travel the streets of these cities. Accidents involving motorcycle drivers and often result in death or serious injury do to the lack of protection they have. Because of their size motorcyclists are easily overlooked by drivers of other vehicles. Wearing a helmet and proper clothing can help minimize the injury a motorcyclist can receive from an accident.

Shapiro, Cooper Lewis & Appleton personal injury law firm is based in Virginia, with offices in northeast NC and Virginia Beach (VA), practicing primarily in the southeastern U.S. and handles only injury law, including car, truck, railroad, and medical negligence cases and more. The firm's website is: hsinjurylaw.com, the firm edits three injury law blogs: Virginia Beach Injuryboard & Norfolk Injuryboard, as well as the Northeast North Carolina Injuryboard and also hosts a video library covering many FAQ’s on personal injury subjects.

2 Comments

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Betsy Lister
Posted by Betsy Lister
April 04, 2009 8:36 AM

It bothers me that the facts in the article clearly show that the rider's right of way was violated, and yet you choose to close the paragraph with the old bandaid adage... riders should wear a helmet; and wear proper clothing!

That doesn't always work! And why is it the rider's responsibility to keep himself or herself safe? What about the onus of responsibility of drivers? Why do they always get a free pass?

What's a helmet going to do when drivers are clearly killing motorcyclists? What about requesting drivers be more aware of motorcyclists, and wait 2 seconds, and check twice before executing a turn?

Motorcycle Safety is not just for motorcyclists!

And why wasn't the driver cited? Can you answer that?

Jeff
Posted by Jeff
April 04, 2009 11:25 PM

As evidenced by this interview:
More ...

I do not have a hard time seeing Ms. Lister's point, and do not argue or disagree.
As a rider, however, I realize I share the roads with unfair circumstances, and too many irresponsible and distracted drivers. Statistically, cars have been killing riders since they both began sharing roads. Usually, it's a left turning car violating the rider's ROW. Absolutely.
I am not a crash dummy, and do agree motorists ought to be responsible. Fact is, they are not. And larger than ever average car size is another problem.
As such, I choose to wear gear, and ride as carefully as possible. I may speak of my rights, but life is not fair, and it is a war zone essentially.
Drivers of 4-wheelers are in many cases oblivious, and unsympathetic, and I want to prepare for life under these unfortunate realities as well as practical.
And beyond this, I do believe epidemiological evidence in favor of helmets is greater than any few cases where they have been not helpful, or harmful (like snapping necks, or causing basal skull fractures).
So, even if a car does not take me out, I may fall all by myself, and if I do, I want to be best prepared.
If you decide otherwise, so be it. You make your choice. I'll make mine.

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