Motorcycle Accidents: The Stats

In almost half of all collisions involving motorcycles, the fault for the collision lay with the driver of the other vehicle, who failed to yield the right of way to the motorcycle. The small size of motorcycles also makes them more vulnerable to road hazards that even a small car could pass over safely. Motorcycles are more maneuverable than cars, and riders can sometimes put themselves into unsafe positions that drivers of cars cannot.

The greater number of motorcycle accidents means that motorcyclists are also much more likely to be injured or killed in a collision than is someone riding in a car or truck. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, a motorcycle rider is 18 times more likely to die in a collision than is someone in a car, and far more likely to suffer serious injuries. Some 80% of motorcycle collisions result in injury or death, and the fact that the motorcyclist may not have been at fault is of little comfort.

Traumatic Brain Injuries

A common kind of serious injury associated with motorcycle accidents is head injury. Traumatic brain injuries, such as the closed head injuries that result when an impact causes the brain to hit the inside of the skull, cause over a third of the injury deaths in the United States. Since motorcyclists are often thrown off of their bikes in a collision, such injuries are 10 times more common in motorcycle accidents than in other vehicle accidents.

Safety First

Studies have shown that the number one way to prevent these serious injuries is the most obvious one — WEAR A HELMET! Motorcyclists should make sure that the helmet they choose has been approved by the Department of Transportation. If it has, it will have a sticker on it saying “DOT.” When California enacted a mandatory helmet law for motorcycle riders, it saw the number of motorcycle crash fatalities decrease by over 30%. Heavy riding boots, gloves, vests, and long pants can also protect riders if they do crash.

Motorcyclists need to take extra care when riding. They should drive safely (as should all drivers), and they should wear the appropriate protective gear. Motorcyclists also need to understand the special problems that their vehicles present for others on the road, and they should ride especially defensively.

However, motorcycle safety is a two way street. Drivers of other vehicles need to “drive aware” and keep a careful eye out for motorcycles. Motorcycle riders have the same right to use the same road that car drivers do, and this right should be respected. Other vehicles should give motorcycles a wide berth—while a small tap with the bumper likely will not hurt a large SUV, it is potentially fatal to a motorcyclist.

MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENT CHECKLIST

Call the police and an ambulance, if necessary.
Get the name, address, and insurance information of the parties involved and any witnesses.
Write down the make, model, year, and license number of the vehicles involved.
Take pictures of the damage to your motorcycle before it is repaired.
Do not make any statement about the accident to anyone but the police.
Do not apologize or admit fault.
Do not argue with the other driver.
Contact our office for a free legal consultation. 

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