What Percent of Motorcycle Accidents Are Caused by Other Drivers?
According to the statistics, about 35 percent of motorcycle accidents are caused by other drivers. The reasons for these accidents are a variety. Drivers over the age of 50 are most likely to cause a motorcycle accident, while other causes may include failure to detect or inattention. In this article, we’ll cover the different factors that can cause a motorcycle accident.
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Drivers aged 50 and older account for 36% of all motorcycle crashes
Even though more people of all ages are riding motorcycles, statistics indicate that the majority of those killed in motorcycle crashes are drivers 50 and older. According to the National Center for Statistics and Analysis, in 2016 alone, there were 5,286 fatal motorcycle crashes. This represents an increase of 5.1% from the previous year. These crashes also occur more often on weekends than on weekdays. Furthermore, over half of these crashes occurred between 6 p.m. on Friday and 5:59 a.m. on Monday, making the average driver age 50 and older about half a decade older than the average rider.
Older motorcyclists are especially at risk for crashes, as they are more likely to have health problems and thinner bones than younger riders. In addition, aging riders tend to ride heavier motorcycles, which makes them more susceptible to injury. The most common injuries in motorcycle crashes are to the lower extremities. Second-placed injuries are to the upper extremities, and the third-placed injury is to the neck.
Vehicle failure
There are various causes of motorcycle accidents, including mechanical failures. While the most common are collisions with another vehicle, there are other causes as well. Faulty road conditions and lane maintenance can also contribute to accidents. Many motorcycle accidents are also the result of rider error. For example, riders may be too fast and underbake, or they may be running wide on a curve.
Another major cause of motorcycle accidents is a passenger vehicle not yielding to a motorcycle. A driver making a left turn may not see a motorcycle, and they may strike the motorcycle. Other causes of motorcycle collisions include speeding, inadequate training, inclement weather, and drugs and alcohol. Regardless of the cause, motorcycle accidents are more likely to occur on weekends or urban roads.
Inattentional blindness
Inattentional blindness occurs when a person fails to notice something unexpected that is in front of them. This can happen even if the object is in plain sight. Drivers have been known to fail to recognize motorcycles because they are looking directly at them. Inattentional blindness can also result from the human brain’s inability to process visual data.
The first step to avoiding inattentional blindness is to pay attention while driving. Motorists are used to looking for other vehicles on the road, but motorcycles are smaller than the average vehicle on the road. Their brains don’t process the motorcycle as a vehicle because it is smaller.
Failure to detect
One common cause of motorcycle accidents is failure to detect other drivers. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), about 35 percent of motorcycle crashes involve a driver who fails to yield the right-of-way to a motorcycle. Drivers who fail to detect motorcyclists or yield the right-of-way may be liable for damages in a lawsuit.
There are many reasons why drivers fail to recognize motorcyclists. First, because motorcycles are smaller than other vehicles, they are more difficult for other drivers to notice. Another factor is that most drivers fail to pay attention while driving. As a result, they cannot anticipate movements and are distracted. Inattentive drivers also tend to misperceive the distance between themselves and a motorcycle.