Rider is Killed In Virginia Beach During Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month

May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month. Sadly, a rider has already been killed this month on the highways of Hampton Roads.

A crash on Wednesday evening led to two motorcyclists being hospitalized with critical injuries. It was reported at 7:15 p.m. on I-264 east of Laskin Road in Virginia Beach. One of the riders later died.

Virginia State Police stated two Suzuki riders were traveling at a high rate of speed on I-264. One of them crashed into the back of a Honda Odyssey minivan. The rider lost control of his bike and hit a Jersey wall. The van then hit the second motorcycle, whose rider was ejected from the bike.

Both motorcyclists were taken to a local hospital with life-threatening injuries. One of them died later. The occupants of the minivan were transported to Virginia Beach General Hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.

The crash closed down westbound lanes of I-264 just past First Colonial Road to Laskin Road.

We are saddened by the loss of life and injuries reported in this crash.

In Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, both riders and other drivers must be conscious of their safety.

Motorcyclists are extremely vulnerable road users. According to some statistics, they are 39 times more likely to be killed in a crash than the occupants of a car.

Last year, 107 motorcyclists lost their lives in Virginia, a 10-year high. The number of motorcyclists killed in our state last year was almost 50 percent higher than in 2016 when 72 riders lost their lives.

Many motorcyclists are killed and injured by drivers who fail to see them or to check in their blind spots. Often drivers who are making left turns fail to notice riders, with tragic consequences.

The National Safety Council says both riders and drivers must do their part to improve motorcycle safety.

NSC is encouraging motorists to share the road with riders and to be extra alert when they are nearby. NSC’s tips for Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month include:

1. Car drivers should give riders more space when they are traveling behind a motorcycle.
2. Drivers should be extra cautious at intersections. Many crashes between cars and bikers occur when a driver fails to see a motorcyclist and turns left in front of the rider.
3. Motorcyclists should avoid going out on the road in bad weather.
4. Car, truck or bus drivers should never try to share a lane with a motorcycle. Always give a motorcycle the full lane width.
5. Motorcyclists should avoid a driver’s blind spot.
6. Motorcyclists should use turn signals for every turn or lane change.

It goes without saying that motorcycles are often powerful machines. When riders break speed limits, they are putting themselves and other road users in danger as well as breaking the law.

Stay safe during Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and don’t forget to share the road. If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle crash, please call our Virginia Beach injury lawyers at (757) 333-3333.