May is National Motorcycle Awareness Month
Motorcyclists in Ohio cannot wait to get back on the roads when the weather starts to warm up. As I’m sure you’ve noticed with the warm weather approaching, the motorcycles’ roar is more and more prevalent around town. Unfortunately, despite being a small fraction of ‘vehicles’ on the roadway, motorcycle accidents account for over 14% of traffic fatalities. The National Safety Council reports that in 2015 alone, 4,976 motorcycle riders died as a result of crash – and another 88,000 were injured!
This month is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and it is important to understand the risks that motorcyclists take when sharing the highways.
During the warm months of spring, summer and fall, motorcycles will be a popular form of transportation on the roadways. Gas is cheaper, transportation is fun and traffic is a breeze – all while enjoying the open air and great weather. This also means there will be an increase in motorcycle accidents and deaths.
Motorcycle riding comes with risks because of lack of surrounding metal and airbags for protection. Motorcycles are also not seen as well as cars and trucks. Use of helmets and protective clothing offer some safety for riders but even with the proper gear the risks of serious injury or death are much higher than riding in a passenger vehicle.
The most common factors in motorcycle accidents are:
- Drugs and alcohol (Roughly 30% of accidents were drug or alcohol related)
- Weather
- Speeding (About 30% of accidents contributed to speed)
- Inexperience
- Age (Estimated to be a factor in 35% of accidents)
- Road Hazards
- Colliding with other vehicles
Because of the lack of protection, motorcyclists are often severely injured. They are usually thrown from the bike and suffer impact injuries from the ground or another vehicle, and many times these injuries are catastrophic and can lead to death.
The most common motorcycle accident injuries are:
- Neck, back and spinal injuries
- Traumatic brain injuries
- Cuts, contusions and abrasions
- Road rash
- Loss of limbs
When you are injured in a motorcycle accident because of someone else’s negligence it is important to speak to a personal injury lawyer. Often injuries from a motorcycle accident will result in extensive medical care that can continue for a lifetime.
As your Ohio motorcycle accident attorney, I’ll be there for you, and I’ll Make Them Pay!®
Author: Tim Misny | For over four decades, personal injury lawyer Tim Misny has represented the injured victim in in birth injury, medical malpractice, and catastrophic injury/wrongful death cases, serving Cleveland, Akron/Canton, Columbus, Dayton and neighboring communities. You can reach Tim by email at misnylaw.com/ask-tim-a-question/ or call at 877.944.4373.