Intersections are the most likely location for the motorcycle accident, as the other vehicle violates the motorcycle's right of way and often violates other traffic controls (ie. One of the most common places of motorcycle accidents is at an intersection. According to NHTSA, Nearly Half of All Motorcycle Accidents Occur at Traffic Intersections. Intersections require everyone to pay close attention to determine the right of way.
It also requires recognition of low-profile motorcyclists who may be approaching. Although motorcycle accidents that result in injuries are a common phenomenon, several studies have provided data showing where most motorcycle accidents occur. In general, most motorcycle accidents occur in urban areas, on non-interstate highways, and at locations other than intersections. In addition, more motorcycle accidents tend to occur in states with warmer climates and longer driving seasons.
A motorcycle accident is a complex event that involves the interaction of human, vehicle and environmental factors. While there is no typical motorcycle accident, what is typical is that a motorcycle accident is a violent event. More than 80 percent of all reported motorcycle accidents result in motorcyclist injury or death. The motorcycle itself does not provide protection against head injuries to the driver or passenger.
The expulsion of the motorcycle is a common route of injury. If a motorcycle stops suddenly and the driver is ejected from the motorcycle, the driver will forcibly hit objects on the road and the ground. A motorcycle lacks the characteristics of crash resistance and protection of the occupants of a car. A car has more weight and volume than a motorcycle.
It has beams on the doors, roof, airbags and safety belts. It is also more stable because it is on four wheels. Because of its size, a car is easier to see. What a motorcycle sacrifices in terms of weight, volume and other crash-resistant characteristics is somewhat offset by its agility, maneuverability, ability to stop quickly, and ability to turn quickly when needed.
In 1996 there were 67,000 motorcycles involved in police-reported crashes, of which 40 percent (27,000) were single-vehicle crashes, 6 Many of the causes of motorcycle crashes can be attributed to lack of experience or lack of appreciation of the inherent operational characteristics and motorcycle limitations. These factors require motorcyclists to take special precautions and place more emphasis on defensive driving. A motorcyclist, for example, has to be more alert at intersections, where most motorcycle-vehicle collisions occur. About a third of motorcycle accidents involving multiple vehicles are the result of other motorists turning on the motorcycle path.
More than other drivers of vehicles, motorcyclists must remain visible at all times and anticipate what could happen. For example, motorcyclists should anticipate that drivers who turn left may not see them and prepare for defensive maneuvers. They should also be more cautious when driving in bad weather, on slippery surfaces or when encountering obstacles on the road. Motorcyclists should rely more heavily on their helmet, eye protection and clothing to reduce the severity of injuries should they be involved in an accident.
And they must attend a motorcycle training course to learn how to ride a motorcycle safely. Approximately 43 percent of all fatal motorcycle accidents involve alcohol, 7 A motorcycle requires more skill and coordination to operate than a car. Driving a motorcycle under the influence of alcohol significantly decreases the operator's ability to handle it safely. An estimated one-third of motorcycle operators who die in accidents are not licensed or improperly licensed to operate a motorcycle, 8 Having a license to operate a car does not qualify a person to operate a motorcycle.
By not obtaining a motorcycle operator's license, motorcyclists are bypassing the only method they and state licensing agencies have to ensure they have the knowledge and skills needed to operate a motorcycle safely. The most important safety device a motorcyclist can have is a helmet. Motorcycle helmets have a hard outer shell that distributes the force of an impact to protect the skull and prevent objects from piercing it. The crushable inner lining limits the force of impacts by absorbing some of the energy that would otherwise reach the head and brain.
As the helmet does its job, the number and severity of head injuries are significantly reduced. Helmets can't work if poorly designed. Federal safety regulations determine the amount of force that helmets must absorb and the amount of peripheral vision that the helmets must allow. Only helmets that meet or exceed these standards should be worn.
If another driver is not driving carefully or observing the sides of his vehicle, he may veer into the opposite traffic lane and crash into a motorcycle. While a sideslip can be bad for any vehicle, it can cause a motorcyclist to fall off his motorcycle or crash into another vehicle, causing a fatal accident. One of the main reasons motorcycle accidents occur is because other drivers don't recognize the motorcyclist on the road. The fact that they are completely exposed to the elements plays an important role in the risks involved in riding a motorcycle.
Interstates and highways are another common location for a motorcycle accident due to increased traffic and increased speed. In 1996 there were 67,000 motorcycles involved in police reported crashes, of which 40 percent (27,000) were single-vehicle crashes. While a motorcycle accident can happen anytime and anywhere, there are some places that are inherently more dangerous than others. And while motorcycles are agile machines, it is often difficult or even impossible to stop in time to avoid a crash when a car or truck is suddenly in its travel lane.
Due to the low profile of a motorcycle, motorcyclists suffer most injuries in an accident. Although these types of accidents can also occur to other vehicles, they are more deadly for motorcyclists. At high speeds, the front end of a motorcycle may have a tendency to become unstable and may shake or wobble. For example, urban areas tend to have much more traffic than rural areas, which can increase the rate of motorcycle accidents.
Some accidents may be due to a defect in the design of the motorcycle or a defect in the manufacture of the motorcycle. . .
