Injured in a motorcycle crash? The number of motorcycles on the road has increased in recent years. Unfortunately, so has the number of motorcycle crashes. As motorcycle riders and passengers have less protection than car occupants in an accident, injuries are more likely to occur. Motorcycles are the most dangerous type of motor vehicle to drive. Motorcyclists were 35 times more likely than passenger car occupants to die in a crash in 2006, per vehicle mile traveled, and 8 times more likely to be injured. See Network of Employers for Traffic Safety for additional statistics on motorcycle riding. http://trafficsafety.org/safety/sharing/motorcycle/motor-facts/motor-injuries-fatalities
Here at Spann Wilder Law, LLC we encourage all motorcyclists to be safe! Take advantage of motorcycle rider training classes, wear a helmet, use a designated driver if you’ve been drinking, and follow safe speeds and all traffic laws.
If you are involved in a motorcycle crash, follow the steps as outlined for drivers for after the accident. See After an Accident
A motorcycle crash is a complex event involving the interaction of the body, the road and vehicle which can lead to more direct impact to the body than a car accident. It can also lend to greater chances of compensable scarring claims. More than 80 percent of all reported motorcycle accidents result in serious injury or death to the motorcyclist.
Why Motorcycle Accidents Result in More Injuries:
• The motorcycle itself provides no head injury protection to the rider or passenger.
• Ejection from the motorcycle is a common injury pathway.
• If a motorcycle comes to a sudden stop and the rider is ejected from the motorcycle, the rider will forcibly strike objects in the path as well as the ground.
Motorcyclists must place greater reliance on their helmet (make sure your helmet is one manufactured by DOT standards), eye protection, and clothing to reduce the severity of injury should they become involved in a crash. Every new motorcyclist should attend a motorcycle training course to learn how to safely operate a motorcycle.
Reduce you chance of motorcycle injury
The following tips, offered by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the Motorcycle Safety Foundation, may also reduce your chance of injury:
• In addition to your helmet, wear eye and face protection. Many helmets have built-in visors or other face guards. Wear long pants, gloves, boots, and a durable long-sleeved jacket.
• Passengers on the motorcycle should:
• Keep their feet on the footrests at all times, even when you stop.
• Instruct passengers to keep their legs away from the muffler to avoid burns.
• Tell your passengers to lean with you when you turn.
• Insist that passengers hold on to your waist all the time.
• Get licensed. All states require a motorcycle license.
• Never drink alcohol before operating a motorcycle.
• Follow all the rules of the road. Don’t speed! Forty percent of motorcyclists who died in crashes were speeding.
• Watch for hazards on the road, such as large cracks, holes and bumps.
• Keep an eye out for vehicles coming from driveways and side streets.
• Make sure your headlight is on every time you ride.
• Don’t let anyone ride with you until you are skilled at riding in all kinds of conditions.
• If you’re a new rider, take a motorcycle riders’ course. To locate a course near you, call 1-800-446-9227.
If you or someone you love has been injured as a motorcyclist, call Spann Wilder Law, LLC at (843) 266-7792 or 1-800-866-3830 a free evaluation of the claim.
