Both motorcycle ownership and the incidence of accidents involving motorcycles are on the rise in America, despite the risks associated with incurring serious injuries in an accident, either as a passenger or a driver. While motorcycles can be an eco-friendly and cost-effective alternative to a car or truck, properly operating a two-wheeled motor vehicle requires dexterity, skill, and concentration.
If you were injured in an accident involving a motor vehicle, you should contact a personal injury attorney as soon as possible. You do not need to hire a Philadelphia Auto Accident lawyer immediately after the accident happens, but it is important to speak with one at some point during your recovery.
Here is some sobering statistics about motorcycle accidents in the United States:
- According to the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcycles are more likely than cars to become involved in a motor vehicle accident.
- Compared to accidents involving only cars, the incidence of serious injuries and fatalities also increases for accidents that involve at least one motorcycle. According to the NHTSA, motorcycle accidents are 28 times more likely to result in a fatality than car accidents.
In nearly half of all fatal motorcycle accidents, the presence of alcohol is detected in a biker who was involved. Drunken-driving, driving under the influence of drugs, and other impaired driving are significant risk factors for motorcycle accidents.
- Approximately 75% of motorcycle accidents involve one or more other vehicles, so motorcyclists should approach the road with a defensive driving strategy.
- About one-third of motorcycle accidents involve a single vehicle and usually result from excessive speeding, improperly turning, and other biker negligence. Following the proper rules of the road can help motorcyclists avoid these types of accidents.
- Motorcycle accidents are most likely to happen during shorter driving trips, especially at the very beginning of a ride.
- While poor weather conditions may contribute to some motorcycle accidents, most motorcycle accidents happen amid favorable weather conditions. In this respect, relying on good weather will not necessarily help you avoid a motorcycle accident.
- The likelihood of a motorcycle accident occurring in an urban area or a non-urban area is fairly similar, with 53% and 47% respectively.
- Before a potential accident occurs, statistics show that the average motorcyclist will have less than two seconds to avoid a crash.
- In almost 62% of motorcycle crashes, leakage of fuel following the accident increases the chance of fire and the possibility that other vehicles will become involved in accidents, as well. Following any motorcycle accident, it is important to call local law enforcement to evaluate the accident scene for others’ safety, as well as request that an ambulance come to the scene to treat any injuries that drivers or passengers may have incurred.
- About one-third of motorcycle accidents that involve more than one vehicle involve another driver crashing into a motorcyclist. These kinds of cases become legally complicated in terms of attributing fault and determining who is liable for the accident.
- Even though high speed can be a contributing factor in motorcycle crashes, it is not the main reason why these accidents occur. Only 1 out of every 1,000 motorcycle accidents involves a biker driving at or in excess of 86 mph. The average speed at which U.S. motorcycle accidents occur is 29.8 mph.
- According to the U.S. National Institutes of Health’s National Library of Medicine, most motorcycle accident fatalities result from serious head injuries, demonstrating the importance of wearing a helmet. Motorcycle helmets can reduce the risk of head injury by 69% and death by 37%.
- Wearing leather armor and other protective clothing can reduce the likelihood of suffering an open wound injury in a motorcycle accident by 90%.
- Close to half of all motorcycle accidents result in motorcyclist injuries to the lower leg, knee, foot, ankle, or thigh.
What might be most jarring is that many motorcycle accidents involve uninsured or underinsured motorists, both motorcyclists and operators of other motor vehicles. A lack of insurance may make recovering compensation particularly difficult.
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident and suffer injuries resulting from someone else’s negligence, contact a Philadelphia personal injury lawyer at the Law Offices of Greg Prosmushkin, P.C., to learn about the legal options available to you. We can guide you through the personal injury process and defend you against counterclaims from other drivers involved in the accident. To learn more, click here.
