Every year, hundreds of motorcyclists are injured and killed on the roads of Mobile. The statistics can be staggering, especially when they reveal that passenger vehicle fatalities occur at a mere fraction of the rate of fatal motorcycle accidents. Luckily, new technologies are making motorcycles safer for riders.
After a motorcycle crash, it can be difficult for injury victims to know where to go for help. An experienced Mobile motorcycle accident attorney will protect your legal right to be compensated for your injuries.
Fatal Motorcycle Accident Statistics
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that, in 2014, motorcycle fatalities occurred twenty-seven times more frequently than fatalities in other vehicles. Motorcycles have been repeatedly demonstrated to be less safe than passenger vehicles over decades of research. This is largely due to basic laws of physics which apply to the logistics of motorcycle riding. The larger a vehicle is, the more impact it can absorb from a collision. Motorcycles, which offer little to no such protection to riders, thus pass on nearly all the impact of collision to the rider. Many riders are completely ejected from their bikes during collisions, and this can cause injuries which are even more serious.
Features Which Save Lives
New motorcycle safety technologies are improving and expanding in ways that save lives. FairWarning reports that anti-lock braking (a feature which has been standard on many passenger vehicles since the 1990s) is quickly becoming a standard feature of motorcycles, as well. All new motorcycles sold in Europe must now include ABS. Japan, India and Brazil are all requiring ABS for motorcycles on a phased-in schedule. Despite support from NHTSA and other powerful advocates, ABS is not yet required in the United States. It is still a widely-available feature, however, and consumers are wise to access its protection. It is also interesting to note that both the California Highway Patrol and New York City Police Department require all motorcycles in their fleets to carry ABS.
Of course, no amount of vehicle safety features can compensate for attentive, defensive driving behaviors. The best way to avoid injuries is to prevent a collision altogether. Follow these safety tips to ensure that your ride is as safe as possible:
- Make sure you and your motorcycle can be seen. Smaller vehicles can be more difficult for other drivers to see and avoid. Use your horn and headlight as necessary to make your presence known.
- Always keep your attention on the road. Navigation systems, entertainment systems, and the ever-present smart phones offer a host of distractions on a level which drivers have never before experienced. Such distractions are particularly dangerous when driving a motorcycle, as this requires greater physical control than driving a passenger vehicle.
- Never drive faster than is safe for present conditions. Motorcycles are especially susceptible to slippery roadways. Poor visibility, construction and school zones, and heavy traffic also require decreased speed in order to react to changing road conditions.
- Always wear a helmet. Data over many decades has consistently shown that motorcycle helmets save lives.
