The allure of a motorcycle is undeniable. The feeling of open air, the scenery, the camaraderie with other bikers all come together to create a sense of freedom and adventure. Everything about it is just so cool and fun and exciting-except if you or another biker gets into a motorcycle accident.
Then, things can get tough for awhile while you heal or take care of your friends and try to make sure everything works out for the best. Some bikers think they don't have much recourse after an accident. It's part of life on the highways, they think, but you have a right to a personal injury claim as much as anyone else who is a victim of negligence.
Motorcycle
Motorcycle accidents happen in startling numbers. Make sure you're protecting your rights to ride if you get in an accident.
75% of motorcycle accidents involve collision with another vehicle, where failure of motorists to recognize motorcycles is the leading cause. In single vehicle accidents caused by motorcycle error, slideouts due to overbraking are the main cause-but the motorists still fail to react responsibly to the slideouts and are usually still negligent. The main behavior in motorist negligence against a motorcycle is making a left-hand turn while the motorcyclist is driving straight. Weather is a factor in only approximately 2% of accidents involving motorcycles. The median pre-crash speed in a motorcycle accident is 29 MPH. This is not an unsafe speed as long as it is lawful for the road. Almost half of fatal accidents involve alcohol. The majority of these accidents show considerable collision avoidance, including failure to brake, overbraking, or lack of ability to countersteer. Don't drink and ride! Large displacement motorcycles are underrepresented in accident data, but when they are in collisions, the damage is much worse. Safety helmets are the most critical factor in preventing death in an accident. Helmeted riders show less injury to the head, neck, and spine. Only 4 minor injuries from 2001 on are recorded by the National Highway Safety Transportation Administration.
Ride safe, so you can keep riding!
Interesting Motorcycle Accident Statistics