Motorcyclist Dead as Driver Fails to Yield at Long Island Intersection

A failure to yield accident at a Long Island intersection resulted in the death of a 42-year-old man from Central Islip.

The man was riding his motorcycle on Motor Parkway when he was hit by a 2016 Hyundai Santa Fe that was traveling west. The 23-year-old driver of the Santa Fe was trying to turn left on to Veterans Memorial Highway.

According to information provided by Suffolk County Police, the collision caused the motorcyclist to roll underneath a 2015 Ford F-750 that was stopped at the intersection. Emergency responders arrived at the scene and ultimately pronounced the motorcyclist dead.

The driver of the Santa Fe and the 40-year-old driver of the Ford truck were not injured in the accident. Detectives continued to investigate in the aftermath.

Failure to yield accidents common with motorcyclists

Failure to yield accidents are among the most common types of motorcycle accidents, and have a high rate of severe injury and fatality.

Motorcycles are smaller in profile and thus not as noticeable for drivers attempting to merge lanes or turn left at an intersection. A driver who is not carefully surveying their surroundings before proceeding could miss a motorcycle and cause a severe accident.

It is the responsibility of all drivers to make sure the way is clear before making a left turn. If the turn is not a protected left with a green arrow, they must wait for oncoming traffic to pass through before they proceed, otherwise they will be liable for any accidents and resulting injuries that occur.

Motorcyclists can also improve their own safety and visibility by wearing reflective clothing, making sure their headlights work, and having reflectors on their bikes.

To learn more about the steps you should take if you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident by a negligent driver, contact a trusted auto accident lawyer at Jakubowski, Robertson, Maffei, Goldsmith & Tartaglia LLP.