A fatal motorcycle crash in Yankton County highlighted some of the dangers that face bikers on South Dakota roads, particularly when they interact with large trucks. Though the exact cause of the collision is unclear, initial reports show the presence of a few factors commonly associated with serious motorcycle accidents.  

According to reports, the victim of the crash that occurred at the intersection of 301st Street and 446th Avenue near Volin was a 65-year-old man. He apparently tried to pass a septic truck that had turned to enter a field in this rural area. Unexpected left turns, particularly those involving large trucks, frequently lead to motorcycle accidents for reasons such as:

• Lack of visibility — Trucks making left turns often have limited visibility of vehicles approaching from behind, particularly motorcycles, which are smaller and harder to see than cars and trucks. Motorcyclists might find themselves entering the truck's blind spot as they attempt to pass, increasing the risk of a collision if the truck begins its turn without seeing the motorcycle. A longer vehicle, such as a septic tank truck, will have a larger blind spot. 

• Wide turns — Tractor-trailers and other big rigs require more space to execute left turns due to their size and length. As a result, truck drivers may need to swing wide into adjacent lanes to complete their turns safely. If either vehicle operator miscalculates the amount of room needed for a turn, there could be a potentially catastrophic collision.

• Speed and maneuverability — Motorcycles are more agile, and capable of accelerating faster, than trucks. However, this imbalance can lead to a misjudgment during an encounter on the road and a semi-truck might not be able to avoid a crash even if the driver sees what’s happening. 

Should a collision occur, a motorcycle rider is much more likely to suffer a fatal or life-changing injury than someone sitting inside a car or truck. If you or someone you love was the victim of an accident while riding, you should find a South Dakota lawyer with substantial experience handling personal injury and wrongful death claims arising from motorcycle accidents.

Anker Law Group in Rapid City has a strong track record negotiating settlements and winning trials on behalf of South Dakota personal injury plaintiffs. For a free initial consultation about your case, please call 605-519-5967 or contact us online.