The Salt Lake Motorcycle Club sponsors the annual Polar Bear Charity Ride as both a fun kick start into spring motorcycle riding and to get the biker community together. However, this year’s Polar Bear ride on Sunday March 21, 2010, ended in tragedy when 43-year-old Brian Morris of Orem was killed in a catastrophic motorcycle crash. Brian’s passenger, his 63-year-old mother, Sandra Morris and another motorcyclist, Bert Weaver of Roy, Utah, were seriously injured in the motorcycle crash and transported to a local area hospital.
Many of the late Mr. Morris’ family member and friends were participating in the charity ride and witnessed this Utah fatal motorcycle crash. I offer my deepest condolences to for their sudden and tragic loss. The late Mr. Morris, reputed as friendly and good natured man, will surely be missed. I also hope the Sandra and Bert make a quick and full recovery from the injuries they sustained in this tragic accident.
What Caused the Death of this Utah Biker
Witnesses report that Mr. Morris and Mr. Weaver were talking, got too close and their saddle bags somehow got caught causing the men to lose control of their motorcycles when they attempted to speed up but could not separate their bikes. According to a KSL news report, none of the bikers were wearing safety helmets. Ambulance crews quickly responded to the motorcycle crash site in Cedar Fort, Utah. The late Mr. Morris died from the massive head trauma he sustained. Sandra and Bert were both transported to the local area hospital with serious injuries.
Witnesses to this accident report that there were over 1000 motorcyclists participating in this charity ride. Many groups had failed to stagger in intervals causing intense crowding and bottlenecking in some areas. Participants report that some of the turns became dangerous when inexperienced riders turned too widely and got too close to other bikers.
Utah Helmet Law Controversy
· In Utah, motorcyclists and their passengers, who are 18 years or older, have the option of wearing a safety helmet.
Opinions on whether the state of Utah should amend the current Motorcycle Helmet Law vary widely within the motorcycle community. However, the Utah Highway patrol reports that the Utah man killed in yesterday’s motorcycle collision would have suffered non-life threatening injuries if he had worn a safety helmet. Proponents of safety helmets argue that prevention of catastrophic brain injury and death are reason enough to mandate helmet use.
Quick Motorcycle Accident Statistics
· Nationwide there are over 70,000 motorcycle accident injures each year.
· About 50% of Utah Motorcyclists wear helmets
· Motorcycle crashes are 7 times more likely to result in death than any other motor vehicle crashes
What to do if You are Injured in a Utah Motorcycle Accident
In such cases, injured victims and families of persons killed in a Utah accident are advised to contact an experienced Salt Lake personal injury attorney and Utah wrongful death lawyer. A knowledgeable Salt Lake City motorcycle accident lawyer will be able to advise victims and their family about how their insurance policy applies to a case where liability may be difficult to establish. Victims in such collisions can seek compensation to cover medical expenses, loss of wages, costs of future medical care such as rehabilitation, physical therapy and counseling and more. Feel free to contact the attorneys of the Christensen Law Firm, PLLC, today, at 801.506.0800, for a free consultation to discuss your legal rights.