Facts Every Motorcyclist Should Know
The risk of Motorcycle collision exists for every single rider out on the road, and sometimes there is nothing you can do about being involved in an accident. The team here at Cesar Ornelas Law knows that you want to be safe and responsible on the road. That includes being prepared for all potential situations to best protect yourself and your motorcycle.
The more you know about motorcycle safety and the common contributing factors to severe bike accidents, the better you’ll be able to avoid those mistakes yourself. Our team wants to support those victims that we can help and try to avoid as many incidents as we can.
What Percentage of Motorcycle Crashes Are Fatal?
Motorcyclists are inherently at more risk for serious injury or harm when driving on the road simply due to the exposed design of their vehicles. In the event that a motorcycle is involved in a collision, there is an 80% chance of injury or death compared to the 20% chance in a passenger vehicle. In fact, motorcycle accidents produce 35 times the fatalities as other vehicles.
What Are The Main Causes Of Injury/Death In Motorcycle Accidents?
Due to the high exposure of the rider’s body to other vehicles, the road, and the environment, the body can sustain severe injury when it is hit or thrown off of a bike. Most motorcyclists do not wear protective clothing on every single ride, resulting in easy-impact injuries. Some of the most common bike accident injuries are:
- Whiplash
- Burns
- Lacerations
- Sprains
- Fractures
- Brain and spine injuries
- Internal bleeding
- Collapsed lung
Motorcycle accident injuries can also worsen quickly and result in death. Victims with burns or internal bleeding can even walk away from a bike crash and succumb to their symptoms later in the day. This is why it’s so important to seek medical attention after any vehicle accident, even if you don’t feel harmed. Doctors can identify the severity of your injuries and react quickly to implement life-saving procedures.
Do Motorcycle Helmets Block Your Vision or Hearing?
The common myth that wearing a helmet on a motorcycle impedes the driver’s ability to see or hear is false. Helmets have been proven to block less than 3% of the rider’s peripheral vision and have no effect on the ability to hear. It is extremely important to be diligent about safety precautions when riding a motorcycle. In fact, wearing a helmet decreases the chance of dying in a motorcycle accident by 37%.
Is Formal Motorcycle Training Really That Important?
The Motorcycle Industry Council reports that over half of all motorcyclists learned to ride their motorcycles using self-teaching methods or the instruction of family and friends. Formal operational training for your motorcycle may not seem like a big deal, but an alarming 92% of all motorcycle negligence accidents involve a rider who never completed formal training. That is an astounding percentage of accidents that possibly could have been avoided by simply taking a class and understanding proper motorcycle riding and safety.
Should I Have Motorcycle Insurance?
Insurance is designed to protect you and your property from unexpected events like collisions. Many motorcyclists may wonder if insurance is really worth the hassle when they feel that they ride safely enough to avoid an accident. Actually, roughly 60% of motorcycle accidents are caused by other vehicles. This means that no matter how safely you drive, you are still at risk of other drivers’ mistakes. Less than 10% of riders involved in motorcycle crashes have bike insurance or even any health insurance to protect them!
Injured In A Motorcycle Accident? Call Cesar Ornelas.
The team at Cesar Ornelas Law is dedicated to helping you receive the support and compensation you deserve. All the safety precautions in the world can still leave you with serious injuries, loss of income, and struggles with insurance companies. Let us take your side and relieve the legal stress on your plate. If you need legal assistance after a motorcycle accident, contact us today!
Helpful Resources
Should You Hire An Attorney After An Motorcycle Accident?