Head on collisions can be disastrous or fatal, but rear end crashes also have the potential to cause devastating injuries or even death.
We think of head on collisions as being more serious because of speed and the location of the drivers, while rear end collisions oftentimes call to mind neck strain or whiplash injuries. The reality is that they can be just as impactful and serious. Distraction is a common factor that contributes to the cause of rear end crashes.
The potential for serious injury is present with most auto accidents. That potential is exponentially greater when the crash involves vehicles where there is a huge disparity in size. For instance, if one of the vehicles is a motorcycle or three-wheeler, the consequences of a crash can be devastating.
A recent accident that occurred at the beginning of July demonstrated how serious an accident like this can be. Two residents from Lancaster, Missouri, were involved in a rear end collision with a pickup truck on U.S. 136 in Luray, Missouri. The pair were a husband and wife who were both riding on a motorcycle, traveling down the highway. The couple was riding a three-wheeled 2012 Can Am and were preparing to make a left hand turn. They were stopped when all of a sudden a pickup truck came up from behind and struck the rear end of the motorcycle.
The couple were seriously injured in the crash and the Missouri State Highway Patrol reported that the Can Am burst into flames after it was smashed into by the pickup truck. The couple were both wearing helmets but sustained serious injuries. After emergency responders arrived at the scene of the accident, an Air Evac helicopter was called in to transport the man and woman to an Iowa City hospital for treatment.
Both the husband and wife were ejected from the bike upon impact. But the report did not make it clear how soon after the crash the Can Am caught fire and if the couple sustained any burn injuries.
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, the driver of the Dodge Dakota pickup truck was a 20-year-old Iowa man. He was not injured in the accident. More information regarding what caused him to hit the motorcycle was not given.
St. Louis Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcyclists can be safe drivers, wear helmets, and follow the rules of the road, but many rear end collisions are caused by driver inattention or distracted driving, which means that there is little the motorcyclists can do by way of prevention. Because they are already less visible than other vehicles, sharing the road with distracted drivers is a recipe for disaster for motorcyclists.
If you are a motorcyclist, it is a good practice to wear clothing that makes you more visible, and try to keep a safe distance between your bike and other vehicles. Stay out of other vehicles’ blind spots, and be cautious when turning.
Any driver who causes an accident due to inattention or negligence should be held accountable for their actions. If you have been injured in an auto accident in Missouri, call The Hoffmann Law Firm at (314) 361-4242 to discuss your legal options.