There is no question as to why motorcycle accidents tend to have a grave outcome. Motorcyclists have little protection when struck by a larger vehicle and many drivers fail to give motorcycle riders the space they need on the road.
A study was conducted by the University of Southern California, funded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which looked into the causes of motorcycle accident cases, some of which may surprise you.
The following is a summarized list of what was discovered by researchers:
- Nearly 75 percent of the motorcycle crashes studied involved a collision with another vehicle.
- Roadway defects only accounted for 2 percent of motorcycle accidents.
- In 75 percent of the cases where more than one vehicle was involved in the accident, the driver of the other vehicle violated the motorcycle right-of-way.
- Most motorcycle crashes are caused by other drivers who fail to see or recognize motorcyclists in traffic.
- Many motorcycle collisions were the result of a vehicle making a left turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle.
- A motorcycle accident is most likely to occur in an intersection.
- Accidents caused by an uneven road or pothole can be fatal for a motorcyclist.
- Weather was not a factor in 98 percent of motorcycle crashes.
- Alcohol was a factor in nearly 50 percent of fatal motorcycle crashes.
- Vehicle defects rarely caused motorcycle accidents.
- Crash bars were not found to be an effective injury countermeasure.
- Head and chest injuries were the most deadly in motorcycle collisions.
The study showed that many accidents occur because a driver did not see the motorcyclist in time, causing often fatal injuries.
If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident in Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino, Ventura or other area in Southern California, you need to contact a motorcycle accident lawyer at Steinberg Injury Lawyers immediately. We are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Call us today at 1-800-350-8888 for a free legal consultation.
* Source: Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures, Volume 1: Technical Report, Hurt, H.H., Ouellet, J.V. and Thom, D.R., Traffic Safety Center, University of Southern California
