There are not many experiences quite like the freedom of riding a motorcycle on the open road. That allure is part of the attraction that motorcycle enthusiasts have for driving what is otherwise a high-risk vehicle in terms of motor safety. For virtually every motorcycle rider, the risk is worth the reward, and there is a unique culture of acceptance for that risk among drivers.
Exactly how dangerous is riding a motorcycle for the average driver? Who is more at risk for injury or fatalities – the driver or the passenger? We’ll discuss some of the safety concerns that are statistically presented, as well as the common injuries that most drivers or passengers sustain during a collision.
How Often Do Motorcycle Accidents Occur?
There are many euphemisms for motorcycle drivers that allude to the seriousness and risk of injury that comes with driving a bike, but the statistics bear out an elevated risk of injury or death for motorcycle riders.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, between the years of 2012 to 2013, data revealed:
Despite the inherent risks, motorcycles remain a popular mode of transportation for Americans. California is a leading state, with approximately 12 percent of the country’s licensed drivers registered there. More than 400,000 motorcycle drivers are registered in each state of Florida, Texas, and Ohio.
Soft Tissue Injuries
Non-life threatening injuries that do not involve fractures are referred to as soft tissue injuries. Given the fact that a motorcycle driver is unprotected during a collision, and that there is no seat belt to restrain the driver from forward collision trajectory, riders are often thrown to the side. Or, in the case of a head-on collision, over the steering column of the bike.
Commonly referred to as "road rash," the impact injuries are only a small portion of the type of soft tissue injuries that are experienced in a motorcycle collision. The motorcycle frame is heavy, and can land directly on the driver – or, depending on the circumstance, drag him or her for a distance across the pavement. Road burn is not a light injury, and it can remove skin, creating abrasions and bruising, as well as de-gloving arms and other extremities.
In addition to scraping, tear, and cut injuries, a motorcycle driver or passenger involved in a collision typically experiences torn ligaments and muscles. The average weight of a street legal bike is approximately 1,000 pounds, and the force of gravity against the body with the momentum of a crashed metal frame results in twisting, turning, and severe muscular injuries.
Whiplash is common in motor vehicle accidents, but also in motorcycle collisions. When a motorcycle is involved in a head-on collision, whiplash can occur in a forward motion, or reverse if the motorcycle is hit by a vehicle from behind. The abrupt forward and then backward motion of the neck creates a significant muscular injury that is often not felt at the time of the accident (due to shock) but onsets approximately one to three days after the collision. Whiplash has long-term repercussions which can reduce sitting, standing, and lifting tolerances for years after the collision, and can be a debilitating injury.
Fractures Burns and Compound Injuries
When you are traveling at seventy miles per hour on a motorcycle and your bike is forced to stop suddenly by impacting another vehicle or object, it is not difficult to imagine how easily bones in various areas of the body can fracture. While protective equipment helps reduce injuries significantly, it does not eliminate fractures, compound injuries, and spinal damage during a motorcycle collision. In Jacobs Law, Indianapolis personal injury lawyers see countless examples of long-term injuries as a result of motorcycle accidents.
In terms of fractures, the neck, arms, legs, and ribs are common places where serious fractures and breaks occur. In addition to bone damage, common injuries for motorcycle riders and drivers include serious second- and sometimes third-degree burns. The average temperature of a motorcycle engine is over 200 degrees, and when skin comes into contact with the frame of the bike, despite safety clothing and equipment, serious burns occur.
Reducing the Risk
Drivers education and training is necessary to help reduce the instances of motor vehicle collisions with motorcycles, but education should not only be geared toward licensed bike drivers but also toward car and truck drivers, who also engage in risky driving habits that increase the risk of motor vehicle accidents.
Wearing protective gear, and avoiding the use of motorcycles in bad weather (rain or icy conditions) can also help reduce the fatality and injury rate among drivers.