The Anatomy of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents are complex events that involve multiple interactions between vehicles, humans, and the environment. While there isn’t any such thing as a normal or usual motorcycle collision, it is typical for motorcycle riders to receive serious trauma during an accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), more than 80 percent of motorcycle crashes that are reported involve either death or traumatic injuries. In order to increase their safety and reduce the risk of being involved in a severe crash, motorcycle riders in the area should be aware of the various factors that make motorcycle accidents dangerous.
Vehicle Differences
Motorcycles themselves don’t provide any head injury protection to riders or passengers, and most accidents involve an ejection. If motorcycles come to a sudden stop, riders can be thrown off the vehicle and forcibly strike objects in their path.
Motorcycles lack the crashworthiness that standard passenger vehicles have and don’t offer the same occupant protection. Bikes are less bulky and don’t weigh as much as cars. Cars also benefit from having door beams, a roof, seatbelts, and airbags, all which can be life-saving in the event of a crash. These disadvantages are somewhat offset by other characteristics of motorcycles. Their small size means having more agility and maneuverability, making it easier to avoid hazardous situations.
Motorcycle Accident Causes
Around 40 percent of motorcycle accidents are single-vehicle crashes, and NHTSA reports that many of these collisions were caused by drivers who either lack experience or fail to correctly operate their vehicle. The specific limitations of motorcycles mean that drivers need to take special care and place emphasis on driving defensively. For instance, motorcyclists need to be extra alert when navigating intersections, where the majority of motorcycle crashes take place.
On the other hand, about one-third of motorcycle crashes happen because of vehicles turning into a motorcyclist’s path. Even though these accidents are the fault of reckless drivers, motorcyclists need to pay extra attention to avoid them and try to stay visible, so that negligent drivers don’t overlook them.
Additionally, motorcyclists also need to be more careful in hazardous conditions like inclement weather, which can make it difficult for drivers to see. Slippery roads and obstacles are even more dangerous for motorcyclists because their vehicles do not have as much traction and, unlike cars, can easily lose balance and tip over if they hit a severe pothole or another obstacle.
The Importance of Helmets
A helmet is the single most vital safety device for motorcyclists. Motorcycle helmets are unique and have a hard shell that can distribute the force of a major impact in order to protect the skull and prevent objects from piercing through. The materials that motorcycle helmets are made out of reduce the crushable limit of impacts and protect drivers from a trauma that would otherwise affect the head and/or brain. However, NHTSA warns that helmets don’t work if they are improperly designed and motorcyclists should make sure that their safety gear meets federal safety standards.
Pursuing Damages
Motorcyclists who are injured by reckless drivers or are in crashes caused by faulty vehicle parts or other factors outside of their control are often faced with a serious problem. The accident wasn’t their fault, but juries are likely to believe that motorcyclists drive dangerously. Combatting this bias can be hard, but a Davis motorcycle accident attorney with experience will know how to make sure that jurors understand your situation. To get more information about the difficulties of pursuing motorcycle accident injury damages and what solutions are available, it’s a good idea to speak with a local attorney.
More blogs by Ed Smith, Davis Motorcycle Accident Attorney
- Single Vehicle Crash in Davis Kills One
- What Does a Davis Personal Injury Lawyer Do?
- Davis Woman Killed in Car Accident
Davis Motorcycle Accident Attorney
I’m Ed Smith, a Davis motorcycle accident attorney. If a motorcycle accident has caused you severe injuries, call my office at (530) 392-9400 or at (800) 404-5400, for some free, friendly legal advice.
I’ve worked with Davis residents for 37 years and have helped many people claim fair payment for wrongful death and personal injury damages. You can see a list of the case resolutions I’ve obtained on behalf of my clients here.
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The Anatomy of Motorcycle Accidents: Ed Smith
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