The Number of Motorcycle Accidents Continues to Rise
Although motorcycles only represent 3 percent of the total number of registered vehicles, motorcycles are involved in 11 percent of the motor vehicle crashes in the country.

December 11, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- The Number of Motorcycle Accidents Continues to Rise

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Nationally, the number of motor vehicle accidents continues to decrease; 2008 saw the lowest number of vehicular fatalities since 1961. Some have attributed these record-low numbers to the tough economy, as commentators speculate that people are driving less and using public transportation more.

While the continued downward trend in car accidents across the country is welcome news, the news is not so good when it comes to the number of motorcycle accidents. Nationally, the frequency of motorcycle accidents increased for the 11th straight year, with a 2.2 percent rise in fatalities from 2007 to 2008.

In Pennsylvania, the numbers also continue to rise: this past year, 239 people lost their lives in motorcycle accidents on the state's roadways, up from 225 deaths in 2007 and 188 deaths in 2006.

Some believe that the increase in motorcycle fatalities can be attributed largely to motorcyclists not wearing helmets. Several states, including Pennsylvania, have moved away from laws that require all riders to wear helmets. Currently, the Pennsylvania's helmet law requires motorcyclists to wear a helmet unless they are 21 years of age and have had a motorcycle license for two years or have completed a motorcycle safety class.

While it is true that head injuries are the leading cause of death of riders and that helmets significantly reduce the likelihood of death in a motorcycle accident, whether or not the rider wears a helmet is not the sole explanation for the increase in fatalities. In fact, of the 239 fatalities in Pennsylvania in 2008, about half of the riders who died were wearing helmets.

Injuries in Motorcycle Accidents

For a variety of reasons, motorcyclists are more susceptible to accidents and injuries than drivers of other vehicles. For instance, motorcycles offer much less physical protection to their riders than cars. Cars are equipped with safety features like seatbelts, airbags and reinforced steel bodies, where motorcycles are not. Cars also are more stable and visible vehicles, given their size and weight. Motorcycles, on the other hand, offer much less stability on two wheels and are more vulnerable to roadway and environment hazards - such as potholes and inclement weather - than passenger vehicles.

Arguably the biggest threat to motorcyclists is not the safety and size limitations of their vehicles, but the other drivers and larger vehicles on the road. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 50 percent of fatal motorcycle accidents occurred when the motorcycle collided with another vehicle.

Many motorists fail to pay attention to the location of motorcycle riders on the road. Since the size of motorcycles affords reduced visibility on the roadway, it is easy for motorcycles to be hidden in blind spots. When motorists fail to check these spots before merging or changing lanes, accidents can happen. Also, many drivers fail to give motorcycles the space they need on the road. By following too closely behind riders or attempting to share lanes with them, motorists are increasing the chances of hitting the motorcycle and severely injuring or even killing the rider.

Catastrophic Injuries

When motorcycle riders are involved in an accident with another vehicle, the injuries are often life-threatening, if not life-ending. The NHTSA estimates that more than 80 percent of motorcycle accidents result in injury or death and that motorcycle riders are 37 times more likely to die in an accident than a passenger in a car. These statistics are not surprising, given that motorcycles offer no structural protection to their riders. Even motorcyclists who are wearing proper clothing, gloves, eyewear, boots and helmets are unlikely to walk-away injury-free from a collision with a car at roadway speeds.

Brain injuries are the most common injury suffered by victims of motorcycle accidents. Brain injuries can be open or closed. They can have short-term or long-term effects, and can occur even if the rider was wearing a helmet.

Other injuries that can be sustained in a motorcycle accident include:
-"Road rash" and burns
-Spinal cord damage
-Internal injuries/soft tissue damage
-Broken bones
-Amputations
-Nerve damage
-Paralysis

Conclusion

There are more than 6 million motorcycles registered in the United States. Although motorcycles only represent 3 percent of the total number of registered vehicles, motorcycles are involved in 11 percent of the motor vehicle crashes in the country. Many motorists do not give motorcyclists the space and respect they deserve on the roads, which can have devastating results. If you or a loved one has been involved in a motorcycle accident, contact an experienced attorney to discuss your case.

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