Auto accidents, unfortunately, are a daily occurrence. In fact, there are roughly 16,438 crashes each day in the United States. Those include all sorts of vehicles from trucks to SUVs and motorcycles, but motorcycle accidents are a different breed. Here’s how they differ from other types of crashes.
The Dangers
Unlike cars, motorcycle riders are left open and exposed. There is no extra level of protection around them outside of the helmet and hopefully padded outfits they wear. They do not have airbags or seatbelts, either. This often causes riders to have more severe injuries in an accident.
Modern cars are increasingly featuring safety features designed to minimize accidents. Collision warning, stability control, backup cameras, lane assist, and other systems all work together to keep a car driver safe. Motorcycles, no matter how modern, lack all of these features.
Consider the fact that motorcycles weigh less than even the smallest of cars, too. This makes them more vulnerable to collisions with other cars as well as animals like deer who regularly jump out onto roadways.
Finally, there’s the visibility factor. Other drivers are one of the top causes of motorcycle accidents, often not seeing the rider as they change lanes or make turns. While the loud noise a bike makes can help with this, it remains a very flawed form of protection.
The Damage
These safety issues place riders at a higher level of risk on the road. Even with the proper protective equipment, rider suffer severe and debilitating injuries. Without a helmet or protective suit, the injuries sustained are even worse if not fatal. Common injuries include:
· Traumatic brain injury
· Spinal cord injury
· Back and neck injuries
· Crushed limbs
· Severe fractures
· Damage to the internal organs
· Severe road rash
· Burns of all degrees
· Permanent nerve damage
· Disfigurement and amputation
Seeking Compensation
With injuries that serious, trips to the ER and long recovery periods are not uncommon. Bikers still carry a negative stigma in society, as well, making it vital that riders seek skilled legal aid after an accident. They can hire a professional like car accident lawyer, Dan Rose, or one who primarily deals in motorcycles crashes.
Either way, these personal injury lawyers are the best path to seeking compensation. Like any car accident, riders can seek money for their medical bills, financial losses, and property damage when the incident was caused by another driver’s negligence.
Staying Safe
There are ways riders can help ensure their safety on the road. The first few are obvious, like not drinking and driving and obeying the speed limit. Properly inflated tires, avoiding inclement weather, and making sure not to drive fatigued are also part of the basics.
Riders should also be careful to not drive in a vehicle’s blind spot, helping to avoid a common accident. Extra caution should be taken in intersections, and riders are encouraged to never tailgate or drive in-between traffic.
Finally, learning and practicing defensive driving skills can save a rider’s life. Remaining aware of all other drivers and knowing how to maneuver to safely avoid an accident are key elements to defensive driving. For motorcycle riders, this skill is of the utmost importance.
The Dangers
Unlike cars, motorcycle riders are left open and exposed. There is no extra level of protection around them outside of the helmet and hopefully padded outfits they wear. They do not have airbags or seatbelts, either. This often causes riders to have more severe injuries in an accident.
Modern cars are increasingly featuring safety features designed to minimize accidents. Collision warning, stability control, backup cameras, lane assist, and other systems all work together to keep a car driver safe. Motorcycles, no matter how modern, lack all of these features.
Consider the fact that motorcycles weigh less than even the smallest of cars, too. This makes them more vulnerable to collisions with other cars as well as animals like deer who regularly jump out onto roadways.
Finally, there’s the visibility factor. Other drivers are one of the top causes of motorcycle accidents, often not seeing the rider as they change lanes or make turns. While the loud noise a bike makes can help with this, it remains a very flawed form of protection.
The Damage
These safety issues place riders at a higher level of risk on the road. Even with the proper protective equipment, rider suffer severe and debilitating injuries. Without a helmet or protective suit, the injuries sustained are even worse if not fatal. Common injuries include:
· Traumatic brain injury
· Spinal cord injury
· Back and neck injuries
· Crushed limbs
· Severe fractures
· Damage to the internal organs
· Severe road rash
· Burns of all degrees
· Permanent nerve damage
· Disfigurement and amputation
Seeking Compensation
With injuries that serious, trips to the ER and long recovery periods are not uncommon. Bikers still carry a negative stigma in society, as well, making it vital that riders seek skilled legal aid after an accident. They can hire a professional like car accident lawyer, Dan Rose, or one who primarily deals in motorcycles crashes.
Either way, these personal injury lawyers are the best path to seeking compensation. Like any car accident, riders can seek money for their medical bills, financial losses, and property damage when the incident was caused by another driver’s negligence.
Staying Safe
There are ways riders can help ensure their safety on the road. The first few are obvious, like not drinking and driving and obeying the speed limit. Properly inflated tires, avoiding inclement weather, and making sure not to drive fatigued are also part of the basics.
Riders should also be careful to not drive in a vehicle’s blind spot, helping to avoid a common accident. Extra caution should be taken in intersections, and riders are encouraged to never tailgate or drive in-between traffic.
Finally, learning and practicing defensive driving skills can save a rider’s life. Remaining aware of all other drivers and knowing how to maneuver to safely avoid an accident are key elements to defensive driving. For motorcycle riders, this skill is of the utmost importance.
You might also enjoy:
- From Crash to Counsel: Why It’s Crucial to Hire a Manassas Motorcycle Accident Lawyer
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- The Enigmatic Nature of Drowsiness on the Road
- Convenient Motorcycle Shipping with A1 Auto Transport’s Door-to-Door Service
- Arizona’s Statute of Limitations for Car Accidents: Don’t Miss Your Window to File
