Motorcycle Accidents

What should you do in the aftermath of a motorcycle accident?

Although the average automobile driver is more likely to get into an accident than a motorcyclist, a motorcycle accident is 26 times more likely to prove fatal.

In many ways, motorcycle accidents fall under the same set of laws as other vehicle accidents. However, there are also some accidents that are very specific to motorcycles. As a motorcyclist, you need to familiarize yourself with all motorcycle specific codes of highway law.

Seeking out a specialist can help make sure you get the compensation you deserve.

Motorcycle Riding: What Are the Risks?

These statistics highlight the specific concerns that come with riding a motorcycle.

66% of motorcycle accidents involving another vehicle are caused by the other vehicle.
Motorcyclists are 26 times more likely to die in an accident than someone in a car.
Motorcyclists are 5 times more likely to be injured in an accident than someone in a car.
The fatality rate for motorcycle accidents has more than doubled in the last 20 years.

Dangers on the Road

Here are some unique problems that a motorcyclist must encounter.

Increased Skill Level: It takes more skill and physical coordination to ride a motorcycle than to drive a car. A lack of riding skill can often be the cause of an accident as many beginner riders fail to adjust to the specific difficulties that come along with riding a motorcycle.

Hazards on the Road: What may be smaller hazards to car drivers are often more serious hazards for motorcycle riders. These can include potholes, puddles, oil patches, debris, warped road, and train tracks.

Reduced Visibility: As smaller vehicles, motorcycles can be much less easy to spot than other vehicles on the road. Several factors can make it hard for other road users to recognize a motorcycle including another larger vehicle, or difficult road and weather conditions. These problems are increasingly apparent at intersections where 70% of motorcycle-vehicle accidents happen.

Wobble Effect: At high speeds, a motorcycle front end can undergo a wobble effect making it unstable and shaky. This problem, which is often caused by wheel misalignment, can be attributed to a manufacturer fault, which in turn means the manufacturer is financially liable for any injury that should occur.

Helmet Laws and Regulations

As opposed to general vehicle safety, motorcycle safety is more focused on minimizing the severity of injuries. Foremost among the precautions a motorcyclist can take is to wear a helmet.

Helmet Facts:

Helmets are proven to help prevent head injuries
A Helmet is the most effective piece of protective equipment a cyclist or passenger can wear.
Not wearing a helmet can jeopardize an insurance claim
motorcyclists who have an accident while not wearing a helmet are 3 times more likely to suffer a brain injury
Many areas, though not all, make it illegal to ride a motorcycle without a helmet.

Helmet Law

Motorcycle owners in many areas are obliged by law to wear a safety helmet when they ride their motorcycle. However, this is not the case across the board. Despite the safety and injury prevention benefits that have been proven to accompany wearing helmets, a large number of motorcyclists remain resistant to taking this precaution.

It is the motorcyclist's duty to know the law of the area in which they ride their motorcycle and determine whether or not they are obliged to wear a helmet.

Where a motorcyclist is instructed to wear a helmet, it is also the case that their passenger is also instructed to wear one.

It is always safer to wear a helmet, wherever you are

Not Wearing a Helmet

Aside from the injury risks that come along with not wearing a helmet, there are certain legal consequences you may face if you are involved in an accident.

Contributory Negligence: Failure to wear a helmet can result in an accusation of contributory negligence from the rival party involved in your claim. This means that you are accused of being partly responsible for the injuries you endured.

Get Your Pocket Sized Guide

Find law (R) have provided this excellent print out guide on the steps to follow in the case of an accident. Simply print it out and put it in your automobile.

Get Your Personal Injury Worksheets

Enjuris (tm) have developed these excellent worksheets to help you keep track of your injury costs following and accident.