In a collision between a car and a motorcycle, the risk of death for the motorcyclist is 35 times higher than the risk of death for that of passenger cars according to the national highway traffic safety administration. 

With that being said, it is important for both motorcyclists and cars to be cautious and aware this time of year.

In Smithsburg last October, the driver of a car did not see a motorcycle and had pulled out in front of him, causing a collision that could have been deadly.

That motorcyclist, Richard Plunkard, tells us that it is important for drivers to pay attention to the road as the weather gets warmer and shares his experience after recovering in shock trauma for a month. 

Plunkard said, “It had broke the bone around my eye and pushed my eye back into my skull. It broke my left arm below my elbow all the way to my shoulder. It tore my pinky finger off. They did surgery on my arm. It broke my hip, my femur, I have plates and rods all in my leg and I lost my ankle.”

Plunkard was wearing his helmet during the crash. the state of Maryland has a helmet law in place, unlike Pennsylvania.