Motorcyclists are at an increased risk of being involved in crashes and wrecks. This should come as no surprise. The Insurance Information Institute shows that from 2011 to 2020, the fatality rate of motorcyclists involved in wrecks jumped from 24.97 percent to 31.64 percent. This increase occurred despite the fact that these statistics showed the number of registered motorcycles during that time remained fairly constant, around 8.4 million. Nor did helmet use change dramatically during this time period. In 2011 and 2020, 65 percent of motorcyclists reported wearing their helmets while riding. Continue reading as our motorcycle crash lawyer identifies the factors leading to serious motorcycle wrecks.
Factors that Make South Carolina Motorcycle Wrecks Dangerous
If the increase in fatality rates is not attributable to more motorcycles on the road or a decrease in helmet use, the answer must lie elsewhere. The factors that make motorcycle crashes lead to fatalities have always existed. They include:
Low Visibility of Motorcycles
If you are driving a car and observe an impending crash, your response is nearly automatic. You either swerve your car to avoid the wreck, slam on your brakes, or both. This decreases your speed at impact and changes the location of impact on your car, both of which can decrease or mitigate the severity of the crash.
Motorcycles, though, are more difficult to see, especially at night. This means that motorists may not see you on a motorcycle in time to significantly reduce their speed or avoid a collision. The higher the speed of the vehicle at the time of the crash, the greater the likelihood of you sustaining serious injuries.
Lack of Airbags and Safety Features
Motorcycles don’t enclose the rider like a car does. There are also no significant safety features like airbags. Airbags have been shown to reduce fatalities in motor vehicle crashes, but they are not present on motorcycles.
This means that all the protection you have when you are riding your bike are the clothes and gear you are wearing. This gear may protect you somewhat from minor bumps and scrapes. However, you are still more likely to sustain head, back, and musculoskeletal injuries in a motorcycle collision.
More Significant Injuries Mean More Expensive Recovery
As a motorcyclist, if you are injured in a wreck, not only are your injuries likely to be more serious than they would be if you were in a car, but treating those injuries will likely be more expensive. Your recovery may take longer, meaning you will incur more medical costs and may miss more work. With that said, it is very important to contact a motorcycle crash lawyer to guide you through the steps following your recovery.
Call for Help from a South Carolina Motorcycle Crash Lawyer
Injured motorcyclists need someone in their corner who understands the unique nature of these events and the compensation they need to treat their injuries.
Lowcountry Law, LLC’s motorcycle crash lawyer Matthew Breen has represented numerous injured bikers. He understands their concerns and seeks to secure them adequate compensation for the harm they suffered in a wreck.
Learn more about our motorcycle crash lawyer and the quality advocacy that attorney Matthew Breen can provide. Schedule a free, no-risk case evaluation with our office right away.
