WARREN COUNTY, N.Y. —T.R. Vannortwick, a 54-year-old West Chazy man, and Heaven Turner, a 31-year-old Plattsburgh man, were seriously injured in a motorcycle accident Sept. 26 on the Northway in Queensbury.
Vannortwick was southbound on his 2008 Harley-Davidson at about 2:30 p.m. when the motorcycle’s rear tire had a “catastrophic tire failure” between Exit 20 and Exit 19, according to a local news report. His bike left the roadway and veered onto the shoulder.
Both Vannortwick and Turner were ejected from the motorcycle, according to officials.
Vannortwick was taken to Glens Falls Hospital and Turner was airlifted to Albany Medical Center. Authorities have not released any updates on their conditions, nor have they released any additional information about the crash.
COMMENTARY ON TIRE DEFECT ACCIDENTS
It is very disheartening to hear that the lives of two individuals have been derailed in what is being called a “catastrophic tire failure” accident. A tire failure on a passenger vehicle, SUV, or light truck impacts driver inputs to a significant degree, often causing the driver to lose control of the vehicle. Multiply that impact many times in a motorcycle tire failure. There is almost nothing shielding the motorcycle operator and passenger from the asphalt or bare ground. A crash of this type is almost always catastrophic, particularly at high speeds. I continue to be amazed at the courage the victims of these accidents portray in their desire to recover and get back on their bikes.
There is no doubt that motorcycling is a very dangerous mode of transportation. According to the 2019 Motorcycles Traffic Safety Fact Sheet, more than 5,000 motorcyclist fatalities and approximately 84,000 motorcyclist injuries occurred in 2019. Per mile traveled, motorcyclists are 29 times more likely to killed in an accident than in a passenger vehicle.
I have focused my legal practice on tire litigation for the past 30 years. I have represented hundreds of clients and recovered more than $1 billion dollars. Although the accident report does not specify what caused the tire failure, it could possibly be due to a tire defect. A thorough investigation of the accident needs to be conducted to make that determination. The motorcycle tire, including pieces of the tread, must be examined to ensure accidents like this one can be prevented in the future.
My hope for the victims of this accident is a full and speedy recovery.
MEET ROB AMMONS
For more than three decades I have concentrated my practice on tire and automotive defect claims, representing clients against tire manufactures, automakers, tire retailers, and tire service centers. My success against Michelin, BFGoodrich, Uniroyal, Cooper Tire, Goodyear, Dunlop, Bridgestone/Firestone, Continental/General Tire, Kumho Tire, and Yokohama has led to the recall of millions of tires across the country. Our team here, at The Ammons Law Firm, also has extensive experience with consumer protection and product liability, truck accidents, rollovers, catastrophic injury, wrongful death, post-collision fires, seatbelt defects, airbag defects and plant explosions. We are committed to making a difference in the lives of our clients and in the ways industries do their business.
Disclaimer: At Ammons Law, we are constantly seeking to improve the quality and safety of our roads and highways. We post these articles to help improve safety within our community. All of the information contained within this post was compiled from public sources or constitutes the opinion of the author. Please inform us immediately if you identify any false or misleading information.
