Why Are Motorcyclists At A High Risk Of Injury Or Death?

Originally published: January 8, 2016

Updated on: October 31, 2018

What is the anatomy of a motorcycle accident? What’s the most likely outcome for someone who is thrown from a motorcycle?

Although each motorcycle accident is different, these important questions can be answered. Over 80 percent of all reported motorcycle crashes result in injuries or death, so it’s fair to say that if a motorcyclist is thrown from the vehicle or crashes, he or she has a high chance of being injured or killed. After injuries or deaths happen, the victims must deal with the legal fallout and implications, so many people turn to accident attorneys to file a lawsuit.

Why are motorcyclists at risk of injury or death?

There are several reasons why motorcyclists are at a higher risk of injury or death when compared to other drivers:

• Motorcyclists don’t have a lot of safety gear on board. Sure, most motorcyclists wear helmets to protect themselves from potential harm via distracted, drowsy, and/or negligent drivers (which is why our home state of Texas is cracking down on these drivers). That said, a helmet doesn’t protect the entire body from colliding with the ground or another vehicle.
• Vehicles involved in a motorcycle accident are large. When compared to a car, a truck, or even a tractor-trailer, motorcycles are very small. The size of other vehicles often impacts the body directly; people are not built to withstand that kind of impact.
• Some drivers also claim that motorcycles are hard to see. This is because many people don’t expect to see motorcyclists on the roads. They may not recognize a single light as a motorcycle headlight (instead, they may think it to be another larger video with a faulty headlight), or they may not understand that the motorcyclist is traveling faster than he or she appears to be. For this reason alone, motorcyclists must be wary of drivers who are making left-hand turns, pulling out of driveways and parking lots, and blocking the road.
• There is a temptation for some motorcyclists to speed and weave through traffic. One of the perks of having a motorcycle is that they are space-savers; however, many drivers take advantage of this fact and carelessly weave through traffic to save time and avoid backups. Motorcycle accidents caused by a driver weaving can be both illegal and deadly – especially if the rider is speeding in the process. As a motorcyclist, following the rules of the road can go a long way towards ensuring your safety.

Motorcycles can be one of the most fun ways for drivers to get around – especially when traveling down I-10 between El Paso, Texas and Las Cruces, New Mexico. Unfortunately, they can also be the most dangerous. By paying close attention to your surroundings and adhering to the rules of the road, you can put yourself in better situations that come with less risk of road accidents involving motorcycles.

It is, however, important to note that all motorcyclists do take on some risk each time they travel on the open road, no matter how safe they try to be. Accidents can happen, and when they do, Rob Lovett of the Lovett Law Firm is there to help. As an experienced motorcycle accident attorney, Rob will help you seek the compensation you deserve if you are ever in need.

Have you been injured in a motorcycle accident? Get information on how we can help. Call Lovett Law Firm, personal injury and accident lawyer in El Paso, TX and Las Cruces, NM today at 915-757-9999 (El Paso, Texas) or 575-523-5555 (Las Cruces, New Mexico) to request a free initial legal consultation with our experienced accident attorney.