In 2023, 6,335 motorcycle riders were killed in fatal motorcycle accidents in the USA. These incidents caused 15% of all traffic deaths during the specified period. After performing a comprehensive study, alcohol consumption emerged as responsible for single-motorcycle fatalities, hitting 41%.
If a person is prone to an accident, an accident on a motorcycle would inflict a much more burdening injury, as a car rider uses blocked steel parts and airbags for body protection. Without the enclosed structure of a car, even minor collisions can expose motorcyclists to direct impact with the road, other vehicles, or nearby objects.
High speeds, limited visibility, and the vulnerability of two-wheel balance can further cause a motorcycle accident injury.
Let’s find out the factors that cause motorcycle accident injuries to be more severe when compared with other vehicle injuries.
The Vulnerability of Motorcycle Riders
It is most often forgotten by riders that having a good time during a motorcycle ride should not be at the expense of personal safety. People who ride motorcycles today do dangerous things while driving.
Most people like to drive fast, but even the smallest sign of recklessness should be taken seriously since it could have very bad effects. Joining a group of riders actually makes them think that you understand the dangerous aspects inherent to driving a motorcycle.
By discussing personal experiences and points of concern, motorcycling groups become like a close-knit family. This includes conversations about turning basics in tight road bends.
Common Types of Injuries Sustained in Motorcycle Accidents
Every year motorcycle accidents claim countless lives, often with catastrophic degrees of bodily harm. People suffer from dirty, painful road rash as one example of a trauma; it could become infected fast if not treated properly.
According to motorcycle accident lawyer Michael A. Bliven, one of the most common injuries suffered from a motorcycle accident is traumatic brain injury (TBI). TBIs are injuries that can be sustained at relatively low speeds, causing significant, long-term cognitive and motor impairments.
Bone fractures are a frequent occurrence, mainly in arms, legs, and ribs, as your body is the one that takes the blow. Head traumas start as minor and move on to major cases, which all are serious and can last for life. Severe back injuries can occur and may lead to paralysis.
Sprains and strains injure soft tissues. Learning about these frequent injuries helps a lot in promoting both safety and alertness indirectly among riders, who might become less critical of one another when coming up with safety regulations.
The Impact of Visibility and Size on Safety
Motorcycle visibility and size are the reasons the majority of motorcycle riders are seriously injured.
Fog impedes visibility at a certain distance. Objects in the fog sometimes can not be seen well. You can use colored materials that may be reflective to achieve visibility for both you and your motorcycle.
High-Speed Collisions and Their Consequences
The factor of speeding turns the duel with a tiny bump into a displacement of a large amount of weight and power, making it almost impossible to escape serious consequences over a craft of even an inch.
Impact force grows mainly by the speed factor, so your body takes more energy in a crash. Claims in accidents usually involve broken bones, head trauma, gut injuries, and even death.
As one aims for a street that is altogether safe, every caution must be taken. Awareness should be maintained to be able to quickly adapt to changing road conditions.
Importance of Safety Gear and Precautions
Having acknowledged the perils related to dangerously fast speed riding, one would naturally be more attuned to the safety equipment and preventative measures that should better be in place. Aside from making one look cool during rides, safety gear is designed for a much larger purpose in helping you stay more protected.
Wearing helmets, strong jackets, and hard gloves and boots is mandatory and beneficial in the event of a motorcycle accident.
By encouraging appropriate garb, you are indirectly setting standards and indicating your passion for the health of other possibly exposed people. You should always check your clothes before setting foot on the road.
Take up a riding safety class. You could use all the lessons you learned in the safety class and apply them during your motorcycle rides.