Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Unlike cars, motorcycles are not as stable and have a much higher risk of being thrown over their handlebars. This can result in severe injuries such as broken bones, crushed internal organs, and penetrating head wounds. Sadly, these are the leading causes of motorcycle accidents.
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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcycles are responsible for one-fourth of all traffic fatalities in the U.S., and they’re 28 times more likely to kill you than the average passenger car occupant. Fortunately, technological advances are slowly decreasing the number of accidents. But motorcycle riders still need to be aware of the risks and follow road rules.
The best way to stay safe on the road is to wear a helmet. Helmets have been shown to prevent 67 percent of head injuries, according to a study. However, even with a helmet, a person can still die in a motorcycle accident. Head injuries require immediate medical attention, but they can go unnoticed and undiagnosed.
In addition, motorcycles have a smaller, less stable frame than passenger cars. This means that they are more susceptible to tipping over when the driver loses control of the motorcycle. Motorcycles also have less visibility than cars, which can cause drivers to not see a motorcycle in the middle of the road. Other vehicles can also run into a motorcycle, causing a fatal crash.
Speeding is also a major cause of motorcycle accidents. Nearly two-thirds of fatal motorcycle crashes involve the rider speeding. Speeding contributed to the largest percentage of fatalities among motorcycle riders aged 25 to 29.
Speeding can cause a motorcycle to run a red light or merge into another vehicle’s path, which can lead to a fatal crash. Likewise, riding a motorcycle in heavy traffic can cause the rider to lose control and crash.
Aside from speeding, another major cause of motorcycle accident deaths is failing to yield the right of way. In a head-on collision, a motorcycle can be thrown through the air and crushed under the weight of another vehicle. A traumatic brain injury can occur when a rider’s brain is jarred back and forth inside his skull due to the impact.
Motorcycles are also less safe than other vehicles due to their lack of airbags and protective steel frames. Drivers of these vehicles are also at a higher risk of sustaining head injuries in a crash. In addition, motorcycles are more vulnerable to dangerous weather conditions. This means that riders are more susceptible to crashes caused by a rainstorm or a hard-packed road.
Motorcyclists aged 50 and older are more likely to be injured in motorcycle crashes than younger riders. The number of fatally injured motorcyclists has been increasing over the years. In 1975, only three percent of motorcyclists died in a crash, while in 2020, 36 percent of motorcyclists were killed.
Motorcycle accidents are also more likely to involve traumatic brain injuries. These injuries often cause a bleeding brain, or “brain bleed,” which can be fatal. In addition, it’s important to understand that bleeding in the brain can’t be treated by emergency responders on the scene. This is because it requires advanced technology to diagnose.