Safety First: Reviewing The Common Causes Of Motorcycle Accidents And Injuries

Millions are lured to the open road each year on the backs of motorcycles

. Most journeys occur without incident. However, with over 4 million motorcycles in the United States, accidents are an unavoidable reality. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), there were over 103,000 bikers injured and more than 5,100 killed in accidents in 2007. In total, more than 100,000 motorcyclists have been killed since 1966.

When someone mentions an accident involving a motorcycle and a passenger vehicle, which accounts for close to 75 percent of all motorcycle accidents, more than a few people may assume that the motorcycle driver was the one likely at fault. They would be wrong. Studies have indicated that the primary cause of accidents involving motorcycles were the result of other motorists failing to see a motorcycle either in heavy traffic or at night. Nearly two-thirds of all motorcycle accidents occurred when a motor vehicle driver violated the motorcycles right-of-way.

Fault does not lie solely on the side of the motorist though. Inexperienced riders and bikers craving the need for speed have caused more than a few accidents. Other contributing factors are similar to those seen in motor vehicle accidents: poor road conditions, operating a vehicle under the influence of drugs or alcohol, inattention, aggressive driving, vehicle defects, and bad weather.

Fatalities tend to be higher among bike riders. Given there is very little protection between the road and the rider, injuries tend to be more traumatic and catastrophic. Head and chest injuries are the most common.In one of the most comprehensive motorcycle studies conducted, the Hunt Report, more than 60 percent of motorcycle riders admitted to not wearing a safety helmet. Surprisingly, the overwhelming reasons (53 percent) given for not wearing a helmet was that they simply had no expectation of accident involvement.

by:Phillip Stone

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