According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), motorcyclists are about four times more likely to be involved in a fatal accident than people who drive cars. In addition, motorcyclists have a higher risk of being in an accident per mile driven, compared to other types of vehicles. Here are five major reasons why motorcycle accidents are so dangerous:
- Motorcyclists are less protected than other motorists
- One of the single biggest contributors to the fatality rate among motorcyclists is the lack of protection, compared to other vehicles. Cars, trucks, and other motor vehicles have the protection of their vehicles if they get into an accident, which is supplemented by safety features like airbags and seatbelts. Motorcycles lack such protections, making it substantially more likely for motorcycle accidents to result in severe injury or death.
- Other motorists are less considerate of motorcycles
- Another common issue is that other vehicles do not give motorcyclists enough consideration on the road. They are more likely to tailgate motorcycles, increasing the risk of an accident if the motorcycle must stop short. They are also less likely to give the right of way, or to otherwise respect motorcyclists, increasing the risk of a collision.
- Motorcyclists have a tendency to drive recklessly
- Unfortunately, motorcyclists have a reputation for driving recklessly, and that reputation is not unwarranted. A third of all motorcycle accidents involve a motorcyclist who was speeding, and more than a quarter involve a driver with a Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) level above the legal limit. This reckless behavior puts motorcyclists and other drivers at increased risk of an accident.
- Not every motorcyclist wears appropriate safety gear
- While many states, including New York, require motorcycle drivers to wear helmets, it is still incredibly common for motorcyclists to drive without helmets or other safety gear. About four out of every ten fatal motorcycle accidents involved a driver who was not wearing a helmet at the time of the accident. This carelessness increases the risk of severe injury or death in the event of an accident.
- Motorcyclists are hampered by a lack of visibility
- Many motorcyclists like to drive at night, but the lack of visibility substantially increases the risk of a fatal motorcycle accident. Despite fewer motorists being on the road at night, about 27% of motor vehicle accidents occur between the hours of 9:00 PM and 3:00 AM. Wearing reflective gear can mitigate this to some extent, but the fact is that many motorcycle accidents occur simply because the other driver didn’t see them until it was too late.
If you or a loved one have been injured due to someone else’s negligence, you should seek out the personal injury lawyers at Zlotolow & Associates. Our seasoned New York personal injury attorneys bring more than two decades of trial experience to your case. We serve all five boroughs of New York City, as well as Nassau and Suffolk County. Our aggressive personal injury attorneys always demand maximum compensation. We have helped thousands of clients recover through settlements and courtroom verdicts. To schedule a consultation, you can call us at 866-800-0092, or you can visit our contact page.
