Virginia Beach Police Department reported that a motorcyclist was killed in a crash on Saturday evening. The motorcycle accident occurred at approximately 7:00 p.pm at the intersection of South Boggs Avenue and Bonney Road. According to police, 38-year-old Linda Montalvo was driving her motorcycle eastbound on Bonney Road when it collided with an SUV that was trying to turn onto S. Boggs Street. She was pronounced dead at the scene. Police provided no other details. The crash remains under investigation. Our condolences go out to the family of Ms. Montalvo.
How Dangerous Is Riding a Motorcycle?
While all vehicle accidents have the potential to cause serious injuries or death, motorcycle accidents have a higher rate of devastation than other types of crashes. When a victim is injured or killed in a motorcycle accident, the impact extends to their family and loved ones, witnesses to the crash, and even society as a whole. This has prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to declare motorcycle accidents a national public health issue.
There are several reasons that led to the CDC taking this alarming stance. According to national data:
- The number of victims killed in motorcycle crashes continues to increase each year. In fact, statistics show that there has been a more than 80 percent increase in motorcycle accident deaths between 2000 and 2016. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reveals that motorcycle accident death happens almost 30 more times often than deaths to victims in other types of vehicle accidents. There are more than 5,500 people killed in motorcycle accidents every year. Another 180,000 are injured.
- The emotional and financial impact of motorcycle crashes goes beyond just the victim. Not only can the injuries or death of the victim affect their own family lives, but the economic burden put on society totals more than $12 billion every year. A great portion of the medical bills from motorcycle crashes are paid by Medicare and other public assistance programs. This public burden also includes money from lost tax revenue and higher insurance premiums.
Motorcycle Accident Injuries
Statistically, the injuries from motorcycle accidents are usually more severe than those suffered in other types of vehicle crashes. This is because there is nothing to protect the rider from the impact of being hit by the vehicle. Some of the more common injuries include:
- Biker’s arm
- Brain injuries
- Facial injuries
- Foot and leg injuries
- Fractured bones
- Head injuries
- Muscle damage
- Neck injuries
- Paralysis
- Road rash
- Spine injuries
Contact a Dedicated Virginia Beach Personal Injury Attorney
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, you may be facing high medical bills and other financial difficulties because you are unable to work because of the injuries you have suffered. Our Virginia motorcycle accident attorneys understand how overwhelming these cases can be.
The legal team at Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp has been fighting for victims and their families for more than 30 years, using all available resources to get the best possible outcome for our clients, like the $975,000 personal injury insurance settlement we obtained for one client who suffered numerous personal injuries when a delivery truck hit his motorcycle while attempting to take a left turn.
Our personal injury attorneys have successfully advocated for many motorcycle accident clients and have obtained the financial damages they deserved for the injuries they sustained. We also offer a free motorcycle injury guide which provides information that you may find helpful.
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