As with the overall numbers, it was great to see less motorcycle deaths on Minnesota highways in 2009. The number of riders and bikes continue to increase with record highs of licensed riders (387,159) and registered bikes (226,678 ).

In 2009, there were 47 deaths which is the lowest number since 2002. Injuries and property damage collision were also down. As with motor vehicle deaths the greatest number of deaths are taking place in rural areas of the state.

For safety purposes it is also worth considering that most deaths are taking place in June and between 3 and 5 pm. Of those riders killed there was a greater percentage of alcohol results of .01 to .07. Suggesting that any drinking and riding isn't a good idea. A review of the law enforcement factors for the collisions shows speed playing a big role for the riders killed and inattentive driving as a cause with other vehicles.

In looking at the numbers, a couple of things are clear:

- Don't drink and drive,

- Start seeing motorcycles and their smaller friends the mopeds, and

- and let's make sure all drivers share the road!

There was a story in the paper yesterday about a Jackson County motorcycle crash. According to police, a woman driving a motorcycle along Mount Hope Road was hit by a car and killed when the vehicle crossed the center lane into her lane.

I am very sorry to hear about this tragic motorcycle accident. My condolences go out to the family and friends of the biker for their loss.

Our Michigan motorcycle accident attorneys advise bikers of their legal rights. Family members of the deceased motorcycle driver may be able to make a claim for Survivor Loss Benefits for the deceased biker. This can include payment of funeral expenses, lost wages, and loss of other services. Also, the family members of the deceased victim may have a claim for a Michigan wrongful death lawsuit against the driver that police determine was negligent and caused these car accidents. At the very least, the surviving family should hire the best possible lawyer to look into these possibilities.

One man is dead and another is in critical condition following two separate motorcycle accidents involving a deer on western New York roads.

The first accident happened on Saturday evening in the Clarence. A motorcyclist, 53, was riding his motorcycle when he struck a deer and was ejected from his bike, according to Erie County Sheriff’s Department. He was taken to the hospital where he later died from the injuries he sustained in the crash.

The second accident happened Sunday morning in Niagara County, about 30 miles northeast of Buffalo. Deputies say, a man, 51, of Gasport, was riding his motorcycle on a rural road when he struck a deer and was thrown from his bike. He was taken to a Buffalo Hospital where he remains in critical condition.

June has proven to be a deadly month for motorcyclists in western New York. To date, at least six people have been killed in motorcycle accidents over the last few weeks.

May was Motorcycle Safety Month, read more about it here.

As of Sunday afternoon three motorcyclists have lost their lives this weekend on Minnesota highway:

- Friday afternoon a 23 year old from Detroit Lakes is alleged to have been fleeing police in Minneapolis when he was hit by a car on Washington Ave near the I-94 entrance.

- Also on Friday, a Elk River man was killed when he hit a deer.

- A Kasota man was killed when he was hit by a semi.

A St Cloud rider was injured on Saturday when he lost control around a curve and drove into a ditch.

Each of these incidents seem like they could have been avoided. I was reading an article from citizen.com and the advice of riding coach Carl Segelstrom seemed especially fitting. He made the following points:

According to statistics, over 50 percent of single-vehicle motorcycle accidents occur in turns.

"Most of the time with a motorcyclist involved in an accident, they fail to negotiate a turn,"

half of all motorcycle fatalities across the nation are alcohol related.

"You need to keep your rider radar on; you need to know what's going on at all times," Segelstrom said. "You're on the road with a lot of other people."


"One of the most important things while riding is being visible to others," Segelstrom said. "Don't hide yourself in the shadows."

All of this advice is helpful, especially as Ride to Work Day is back today. Ride to Work, a Proctor, Minn.-based nonprofit, sponsors the event, and says as many as a million riders may participate.

Hopefully, all the riders today will do so with a memory of what happened over the weekend and a eye to the dangers that are out there.

Here's a couple more blogs to read:

Motorcycle Safety: The Top 5 Tips To Safety Avoid Injuries, Rick Shapiro | June 07, 2010 7:59 AM

Republic of Texs (ROT) Biker Rally ; Let’s Avoid Any Motorcycle Accidents,

There was a story in the paper recently about a fatal Holland Townshp car-motorcycle accident. The accident took place on Wednesday, June 9th, around 5:30 p.m. on 136th Ave. near Riley Street. According to police, a car ran into a motorcycle that not only held a driver but a passenger as well. The collision caused both the motorcycle driver and his passenger to be thrown from the motorcycle, killing the driver. The passenger on the bike suffers serious injuries.

I am very sorry to hear about this tragic motorcycle accident. My condolences go out to the family and friends of the biker for thier loss and hope that the passenger on the motorcycle has a speedy recovery without any permanent damages.

Our Michigan motorcycle accident lawyers advise bikers of their legal rights. Because this car-motorcycle accident involved contact with another motor vehicle, the injured passenger may be eligible for Michigan No-Fault Insurance benefits. These benefits provide for payment of medical expenses, lost wages, attendant care services, and other benefits. The injured victim may also be able to make a personal injury claim for the injuries suffered against the negligent driver.

Family members of the deceased motorcycle driver may be able to make a claim for Survivor Loss Benefits for the deceased biker. This can include payment of funeral expenses, lost wages, and loss of other services. Also, the family members of the deceased victim may have a claim for a Michigan wrongful death lawsuit against the driver that police determine was negligent and caused these car accidents. At the very least, the surviving family should hire the best possible lawyer to look into these possibilities.