St. Cloud Personal Injury Lawyer - Motorcycle deaths

St Cloud Motorcyclist Killed In Wisconsin

Mike Bryant — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 20:49:00 GMT

Sunday evening, a St Cloud man was pulled over on the side of the road due to one of the riders in his group having mechanical troubles. A pickup truck ran him over and then fled the scene. Through the use of dogs the Wisconsin State Patrol was able to find the driver Monday morning. The circumstances are still being investigated.

With the continued warm weather and gas prices staying high more people are driving fuel efficient alternatives and are continuing to be out on the roads in great numbers. Motorcycles should be seen on the road and all vehicles and people on the side of the road, have got to be seen. It will be interesting to see if speed and drinking were involved for the pickup driver.

As with any death , there are a number of issues that will need to be reviewed. My partner, Joe Crumley, addressed this topic in a recent article for the Minnesota Lawyers Trial magazine. I was interviewed last year on the same topic. For the family of the rider, sympathy goes out as the case makes it through the criminal system. Their loved one should have been safe out on the road.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Minnesota Highway Fatality Numbers Show Areas That Need To Be Improved

Mike Bryant — Sun, 19 Jul 2009 09:16:00 GMT

The final numbers from 2008 from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report show that highway deaths were down across the country and in the Minnesota . This is great news. But there are still areas to improve:

To date, there have been 212 traffic deaths in 2009, compared to 208 at this time last year.
Minnesota Motor Vehicle Crash Facts details crashes by vehicle type, contributing factors, driver age and gender, and occurrence of crashes by county, as well as cities with populations of 2,500 or more.
The 455 fatalities reflect the deaths of motorists (325); motorcyclists (72); pedestrians (25); bicyclists (13); ATV riders (10); school bus occupants (4); snowmobiles (1); and other (5 — golf cart, commercial bus, personal conveyance vehicle (3)).
The most common factors in all 2008 crashes are, in order of frequency, driver inattention or distraction, failure to yield right-of-way and illegal or unsafe speed.
While the state’s seat belt compliance rate (87 percent) is strong, only 45 percent of motorist fatalities were belted.
in 2008 there were 31 teen deaths.
there were 72 motorcyclist fatalities, representing 16 percent of all traffic deaths, which was o the biggest rider death count since 1985.

For the families involved each of these numbers is a person they loved. It is important that the numbers be used to drop the total again next year. Safety programs and laws such as the booster seat requirement for kids should help.

With any death in a Minnesota motor vehicle collision, there are a number of issues that will need to be reviewed. My partner, Joe Crumley, addressed this topic in a recent article for the Minnesota Lawyers Trial magazine and I was interviewed last year on the same topic

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Good News: Yearly Highway Deaths Down Again

Mike Bryant — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 21:14:50 GMT

There was excellent news with the final data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report showing that highway deaths were fewer across the country. The drop was nine percent. This was the lowest level in 50 years. In Minnesota, the drop was 11 percent from the 510 deaths recorded in 2007.

Some have suggested that the spike in gasoline costs contributed to the overall decline, because people ended up driving less. The number of vehicle miles traveled dropped by about 3.6 percent nationally, after climbing for several decades. The state Department of Transportation reported 57.3 billion vehicle miles traveled on Minnesota roads last year, compared with 57.4 billion in 2007.

There are still ongoing concerns about motorcycle, pedestrian and drunk driving deaths. All of which have seen increases over the last couple of years. The report found 72 motorcyclist fatalities, representing 16 percent of all traffic deaths, which was also the biggest rider death count since 1985. "People are still dying every day on our roads; 455 people, that's like three jetliners going down," Cheri Marti, director of the state's Office of Traffic Safety said. "People seem to accept fatalities on our roads, yet families are torn apart. These are horrific tragedies."

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Two Dead As Motorcycles Hit Head On

Mike Bryant — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:47:25 GMT

This morning, a former fire chief of Long Lake was killed in a collision when his Harley hit another motorcycle head-on in Independence. The second motorcycle had been passing a truck and into the other lane. The circumstances are still being investigated.

Maple Plain Police say five motorcyclists were traveling westbound on County Road 6 near County Road 90, not far from the home of my partner, Joe Crumley. The former chief was in the front of the group. The group was 10 minutes into a trip to New Mexico. The single rider "wanted to pass the truck, moved into the oncoming lane," and collided with the lead bike, said Hennepin County Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Lisa Kiava.

With the weather warm enough to ride and gas prices staying high more people are driving fuel efficient alternatives. At the same time, recent reports indicate that deaths on motorcycles are rising in Minnesota. It's important that the following be kept in mind:

1. Yield the right-of-way.

2. Start seeing motorcycles.

3. When on a motorcycle, make sure people see you.

4. When just starting to ride, make sure you have the correct training.

The road is big enough for everyone.

As with any death in a Minnesota motor vehicle collision, there are a number of issues that will need to be reviewed. My partner, Joe Crumley, addressed this topic in a recent article for the Minnesota Lawyers Trial magazine. I was interviewed last year on the same topic. In this incident sorrow for the families of those involved goes out.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Motorcyclist Killed In Keewatin Collision

Mike Bryant — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 06:03:00 GMT

Last Monday, a Iron Range woman was killed in a collision in Nashwauk. The motorcyclist was traveling on Hwy. 169, when a vehicle driven by a 20 year old, turned in front of her. Presently, the police are still investigating the cause.

1. Yield the right-of-way.

2. Start seeing motorcycles.

3. When on a motorcycle, make sure people see you.

4. When just starting to ride, make sure you have the correct training.

The road is big enough for everyone.

As with any death in a Minnesota motor vehicle collision, there are a number of issues that will need to be reviewed. My partner, Joe Crumley, addressed this topic in a recent article for the Minnesota Lawyers Trial magazine. I was interviewed last year on the same topic. In this case sorrow for the families of those involved goes out.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

100 Deaths On Minnesota Road This Year Already

Mike Bryant — Thu, 21 May 2009 12:42:00 GMT

Early numbers suggest that there have already been 100 deaths on Minnesota roads in 2009. This is close to the same number of this time last year and a drop from 2007. Last year the Department of Public Safety attributed the drop in deaths to several factors, including increased seat belt use, enhanced patrols to combat impaired and aggressive driving, road safety improvement and higher gas prices, which is believed to cause motorists to drive less and at safer speeds.

There continues to be increased numbers in motorcycle, pedestrian, and drunk driving deaths, all of which have seen increases over the last couple of years.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Nations Road Deaths Down In 2008

Mike Bryant — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 09:46:00 GMT

There was excellent news with the preliminary data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration report showing that highway deaths were fewer across the country. The drop was nine percent. This was the lowest level in 50 years.

As the numbers are finalized, we will also be able to see if there were changes in motorcycle, pedestrian and drunk driving deaths. All of which have seen increases over the last couple of years.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

More Highway Deaths Seen In Freeborn and Fillmore County In 2008

Mike Bryant — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 20:40:00 GMT

While the whole state saw a reduction in highway deaths, there was a significant increase in these deaths in both Freeborn and Fillmore counties. Freeborn County went from four deaths in 2007 to 10 in 2008. Fillmore County went from zero traffic deaths in 2007 to 12 in 2008.

While each of the deaths were separate, there is concern by the sheriff departments in each county, with a hope that this is just a single year aberration. Alcohol was involved in many of the deaths, thus there can be an expected increased law enforcement effort in both counties.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Early Numbers Suggest That Minnesota Road Deaths Are Down By 16%

Mike Bryant — Wed, 14 Jan 2009 09:28:00 GMT

While the numbers won't be official until May, early numbers suggest that there were 424 deaths on Minnesota roads in 2008. This is a 16% drop from the 501 deaths in 2007. This is the lowest total since 1944. The Department of Public Safety attributed the drop in deaths to several factors, including increased seat belt use, enhanced patrols to combat impaired and aggressive driving, road safety improvement and higher gas prices, which is believed to cause motorists to drive less and at safer speeds.

Locally in Stearns County, there were 12 fatalities reported in 2008 and 10 in 2007. St. Cloud police had no fatalities in 2007 and two in 2008. Sherburne had six in 2008 and 10 in 2007. Benton County had four reported in 2007 and three reported in 2008.

The decrease is a reverse of the slight increase from the 494 deaths in 2006. As the numbers are finalized, we will also be able to see if there were changes in motorcycle, pedestrian and drunk driving deaths. All of which have seen increases over the last couple of years.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant

Motorcyclist Killed In Chisago County Collision

Mike Bryant — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:29:00 GMT

Saturday, a Wyoming, Minnesota man died in an accident in Chisago County. The motorcyclist was approaching the intersection of Hwy. 61 at County Road 22, when a vehicle driven by a teenager turned in front of him. Presently, the police are still investigating the cause.

As with any death in a Minnesota motor vehicle collision, there are a number of issues that will need to be reviewed. My partner, Joe Crumley, addressed this topic in a recent article for the Minnesota Lawyers Trial magazine. I was interviewed last year on the same topic. In this case sorrow for the families of those involved goes out.

With the weather staying warm enough to ride and gas prices staying high more people are driving fuel efficient alternatives. At the same time, recent reports indicate that deaths on motorcycles are rising in Minnesota. It's important that the following be kept in mind:

1. Yield the right-of-way.

2. Start seeing motorcycles.

3. When on a motorcycle, make sure people see you.

4. When just starting to ride, make sure you have the correct training.

The road is big enough for everyone.

Originally posted at InjuryBoard by Mike Bryant