Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents

COM MON CAUSES OF MOTORCYCLE ACCIDENTS In the United States, 4,000 people die from motorcycle-related injuries per year. Motorcycles only constitute 2% of all registered vehicles. Motorcyclists are 37 times more likely to die from an accident than automobile drivers. Crashes between motorcycles and other vehicles contribute to 56% of motorcycle accident deaths. The most common cause of motorcycle fatalities are injuries to the head. 78% of the time, the car strikes the motorcycle from the front. 5% of the time, the car strikes the motorcycle from the rear. Long-term health conditions can develop from motorcycle accidents involving head injuries include: loss of coordination and motor skills lifelong seizures long-term and persistent depression, anxiety and mood swings permanent paralysis memory loss Collisions involving cars making left hand turns contribute to a high amount of motorcycle accidents. O These collisions account for 42% of accidents between motorcycles and automobiles. These accidents usually occur when a motorcycle is traveling straight through an intersection or attempting to pass a car. These collisions account for Collisions 42% of accidents between involving making left hand turns contribute cars motorcycles and automobiles. to a high amount of motorcycle accidents. O These accidents usually occur when a motorcycle is traveling straight through an intersection or attempting to pass a car. Alcohol use and speeding are at fault for a large number of crashes. The severity of injuries increases when alcohol Half of all motorcycle accidents are caused by alcohol use or speeding. and/or speeding is involved. Accidents involving high performance motorcycles have a higher death rate than conventional motorcycles. RIP Most riders of high performance motorcycles are under the age of 34. The death rate for accidents involving high performance motorcycles is four times higher than conventional motorcycles. Collisions between motorcycles and fixed objects can be deadly. 25% 18% 25% of motorcyclist deaths are a direct result of motorcyclists colliding with stationary objects. Only 18% of car crash deaths come from a collision between a car and a fixed object. The road hazards that motorcyclists encounter put them more at risk for accidents than automobile drivers. Slick surfaces pose a hazard to motorcyclists and can directly contribute to an accident. Δ A Gravel on pavement is a serious road hazard for motorcyclists, especially when turning a corner. Hitting an animal can cause a motorcyclists to swerve and throw the rider off balance. SOURCES: http://www.robertdebry.com http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/motorcycle-acci- dents-road-hazards-30331.html Robert J. DeBry http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/motorcycle-acci- dents-common-causes-30330.html https://rideapart.com/articles/10-common-motorcycle-acci- dents-and-how-to-avoid-them ASSOCI ATES http://www.freepik.com