Increase in Motorcycle Popularity Leads to Increase in Motorcycle Accidents

Due to increases in gas prices and traffic congestion, motorcycle ridership is currently at the highest level since the 1970’s. Unfortunately, the increase in motorcycle popularity has also resulted in an increase in accidents and fatalities involving motorcycles. Over 1,000,000 motorcycles were sold in 2006 alone, and in 2006 motorcycle fatalities reached the highest level since 1981, with 4,652 riders dying in motorcycle accidents. The average age of motorcycle riders is also on the rise, with an increase in riders over the age of 40. Unfortunately, over 40% of motorcycle accident fatalities have involved riders over the age of 40.

Riding a motorcycle is inherently far more dangerous than driving a car. A motorcycle is far less visible than a car or truck, and since lane-splitting is legal in California, many accidents occur when drivers fail to see a motorcycle in their vehicle’s blind spot. Furthermore, the motorcycle offers much less protection to the rider from an impact with a vehicle, thus even low speed collisions between a car or truck and a motorcycle can be fatal to the motorcycle rider.

According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), some of the most common types of accidents involving motorcycles include the following:
Crashes involving other vehicles: about 75% of all motorcycle accidents involve other vehicles. It is not uncommon for the driver of an automobile or truck to not see a motorcycle and change lanes or turn into its path.
Rear-end collisions: motorcycles are at a high risk of being rear-ended by heavier vehicles that cannot stop as quickly.
U-turns: many car drivers do not look for oncoming traffic when making u-turns. Those who do may not see a motorcycle.
Single-bike accidents: although most police reports will indicate the rider to be at fault in a single-bike accident, much of the time the accident is caused by road debris or other obstacles or hazards. Single-bike accidents can take several different forms including the high-slide, the low-slide and the “endo” (flipping the bike due to a sudden breaking of the front wheel).
Rope or chains across paths: some property owners illegally place chains and ropes across trails in an attempt to keep bikers away. Property owners are not allowed to install such traps and can be held liable for any accident caused by doing so.
Road debris: grease, motor oil, loose pavement, uneven surfaces, and potholes can all cause a motorcycle to lose control and crash.
Car doors opening unexpectedly: many people exiting their cars do not see the oncoming motorcycle before swinging their doors open.

In October of 2007 by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released a report entitled “Bodily Injury Locations in Fatally Injured Motorcycle Riders” suggesting a direct correlation between helmet use and motorcycle fatalities. In fatal motorcycle accidents, 51% were not wearing helmets, whereas only 31% of those wearing helmets suffered a head injury. The study also reported 61% of motorcycle fatalities involved a head injury of some type.

Thanks for reading my blog. If you have a question or comment, please feel free to post it here, but keep in mind your response will not be confidential. If you have been injured or if a loved one has died in a motorcycle accident, seek experienced legal representation; contact an experienced personal injury attorney for immediate help and assistance.