For many people, owning and driving a motorcycle daily is an exhilarating and freeing experience. However, motorcycles offer drivers a lot less protection than they would have if they were driving a car or truck. In the United States, it is estimated that more than 8 percent of all American households own a motorcycle. This number has increased significantly since 2014, and it is projected to continue rising.
Sadly, there are roughly 5100 fatal motorcycle accidents yearly in America. The troubling reality is motorcyclists are 37 times more likely to die in a motorcycle accident than a car crash. In most instances, people involved in a motorcycle accident will receive some type of injury. Fortunately, there are some tips motorcyclists can adopt to help prevent accidents and the devastating injuries that follow.
Common Cause of Motorcycle Accident
Being involved in an unfortunate motorcycle accident is never a pleasant experience. Drivers will experience serious injuries due to high speeds and lack of protection. There are a few common causes of motorcycle accidents that when knowledgeable of; you may be able to avoid.
However, if you have found yourself involved in a motorcycle accident and it’s resulted in you sustaining injuries and property damage, it would be best to talk with an experienced personal injury attorney. They can help you determine if your accident was caused by another person’s negligence and how to file a claim for compensation.
- Distracted drivers on their phones
- High speed racing
- Drug and alcohol related
- Poor road conditions
The Most Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries Victims Suffer
Motorcycle accidents can easily prove fatal. Other times motorcyclists are left with minor or severe injuries. Read on to learn a few common motorcycle accident injuries.
- Muscle and cartilage damage
- Road rash
- Internal bleeding
- Craniofacial trauma
- Spinal cord injuries
- Broken bones and amputated limbs
Tips on How to Prevent a Motorcycle Accident
Below are a few of the most important tips you should follow if you want to avoid being involved in a motorcycle accident. A few of these might seem self-explanatory, but refresher never hurts. Following these tips can be the crucial difference between you avoiding or surviving a motorcycle crash.
- Always be alert, calm, and aware of other drivers on the road, and keep an eye out for anyone driving erratically or speeding.
- Make sure to always wear a safety helmet to protect your head from serious injuries such as concussions and traumatic brain injuries.
- Motorcycles require pristine focus; avoid alcohol and prescription medication before driving.
- Follow traffic laws and never speed or pass aggressively.
- Motorcycles are smaller and more challenging to see, wearing reflective gear can save your life especially at night.
- Wear safety gear and protective clothing as it could be the difference between life and death. Protective clothing will reduce the severity of road rash if you ever have to put your bike down.
If motorcyclists are aware of the common types of accidents, they will have a better chance of avoiding them in the future. Following the few tips we have provided, drivers will have a higher chance of avoiding an accident with a car or truck. Wearing visible safety and protective clothing, avoiding alcohol and drugs, and always being alert will help a motorcycle driver prevent and survive an accident.
