A motorcycle rider and passenger were killed in a collision with a minivan in Tecumseh at the intersection of Essex County Roads 19 and 46 on Sunday.
Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) reported that the motorcycle was traveling southbound on County Road 19 when the accident occurred, around 4:30 p.m.
The two motorcycle riders, both from Windsor, were pronounced dead at the scene of the collision, and the driver and sole occupant of the van was arrested on-the-spot and charged with two counts of impaired driving causing death and two counts of driving above the legal limit causing death.
OPP, paramedics and the Tecumseh fire department responded to the fatal motorcycle crash, shutting down both roads for several hours.
Another Deadly Year for Motorcycles
After naming 2016 as one of the deadliest years for motorcyclists, 2017 is shaping up in a similar way.
Sunday’s accident marks at least the sixth serious motorcycle accident of the year:
- March 9: A 17-year-old died from injuries sustained in a collision with a minivan at the intersection of Cabana Road West and Roxborough Boulevard. The minivan driver was charged with making a left turn without reasonably avoiding a collision.
- March 22: A motorcyclist suffered serious injuries after crashing into a parked car on Woodlawn Avenue.
- April 20: A Lakeshore man died 11 days after his motorcycle was struck by a vehicle at the intersection of North Talbot Road and County Road 27 in Kingsville. His passenger also suffered serious injuries.
- April 28: A 54-year-old man was killed when he was struck by a flying turkey.
- June 17: An Amherstburg man suffered serious head injuries after his motorcycle went onto the shoulder of the road and he lost control of the vehicle.
- August 1: A motorcyclist and passenger were injured when their bike was struck by a vehicle attempting to make a U-turn at the intersection of Prince Road and Dorchester Road.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
As is clear from the various accidents that have occurred so far this year, there are many causes of motorcycle accidents. Unfortunately, the negligent actions of other motorists are some the most common reasons for these types of crashes and the severe injuries that result.
Some of these causes include:
- Distracted driving – Because motorcycles are small and often difficult to see, it is vital that all motorists are focused on the road and constantly on the lookout for motorcycles. Something as simple as looking down at a cellphone or digging through a purse can have devastating consequences because your eyes and your focus are not on the road.
- Accidents at intersections – When motorists disregard right of way rules or disobey traffic signs and signals, intersections become very dangerous.
- Speeding – The faster your speed, the more time and distance you will need to avoid a potential hazard in the road. For this reason, speeding can be very dangerous.
- Blind-spot accidents – The small size of motorcycles means they can easily disappear in a vehicle’s blind spot. For this reason, it is vital that motorists always check their blind spots before changing lanes or turning. Motorcyclists should also try to avoid riding in blind spots.
- Impaired driving – Driving on the influence of drugs or alcohol can have a significant impact on a motorists’ ability to recognize and react to potential hazards.
Get Help from a Trusted Windsor Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
If a negligent driver caused your injury or the death of a loved one, you may have legal options. Contact our trusted motorcycle accident lawyers for a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your legal rights.
A personal injury lawsuit may help you recover compensation for your medical bills, pain and suffering, and more. We are a trusted personal injury law firm in Windsor that has helped numerous injury victims recover the compensation they deserve.
Because our lawyers work on a contingency fee basis, we do not charge any upfront fees and only require payment if we recover compensation for you.
Call (866) 320-4770 to schedule a free consultation today.