In Bridgewater, New Jersey, a motorcyclist was airlifted to a hospital following a major collision on Route 22 West. The accident occurred on the night of Wednesday, April 5th, at 5:33 p.m. Mark Dillon, age 62, of Norristown, Pa., was operating a 2007 Yamaha FJR when he attempted to enter the right lane of Route 22 West from America’s Best Value Inn. His motorcycle collided with a trailer that was being pulled by a Ford F-550 in which James Irwin, age 34, of Somerville, was the motorist.

He suffered severe injuries, and was airlifted to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital New Brunswick. Because of the crash, the westbound side of the highway was closed for nearly two hours, and there were considerable traffic delays throughout the evening commute. Route 22 West was closed from Ronson Road to North Gaston Avenue while police assisted Mr. Dillon and conducted an investigation into the accident.

Responders to the accident included firefighters from Green Knoll Fire Department District 3, the Martinsville Rescue Squad and Bridgewater police. The Traffic Safety Bureau of the Bridgewater Police Department is conducting an investigation into the crash. Anyone who was a witness to the collision is asked to call Officer Douglas Thorsen at 908-722-4111, ext. 4154.

Because of their massive size, trucks present a great danger to all kinds of vehicles. They are especially perilous for motorcycles, which are much smaller in size and are not protected. While a tractor-trailer with a full load can weigh a maximum of 100,000 pounds, the average motorcycle weighs just 800 pounds. When truck drivers neglect to share the road with motorcycles in a responsible manner, serious or even fatal accidents can occur.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in the case of a motorcycle accident, motorcyclists are 26 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries, and five times more likely to sustain non-life-threatening injuries than a passenger in a car.

If you were injured in a motorcycle accident due to the negligence of another motorist, call the motorcycle accident attorneys at Andrew Prince, Motorcycle Accident Attorney.