(Newswire.net — June 20, 2019) — As the weather warms up, it is naturally to see more motorcycles on the road. Although many are taught to share the road with motorcycles in basic driver education courses, accidents are still commonplace. The team from David Boehrer Law Firm has seen their share of personal injury lawsuits because of motorcycle injuries and fatalities. They advise to consider the following key statistics before choosing to ride a motorcycle:
Higher Risk Factors for Motorcyclists
Motorcycle riders are considered at a much higher risk for accidents because the vehicle is not enclosed and it takes more skill to drive a motorcycle than a car. Motorcycles are also more prone to be impacted by hazards like changing weather conditions. In 2017, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported a 3 percent decrease of individuals killed in motorcycle crashes. Despite the decline, 5,172 motorcycle riders were killed in 2017 alone. Out of these crashes, 28 percent of the riders were intoxicated. Frighteningly enough, motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to die in a crash than a car passenger.
Decline in Wearing Helmets
Helmets are not a given while riding a motorcycle and have attributed to the seriousness of injuries sustained during a motorcycle crash. Despite lobbying for tougher helmet laws in states, the percentage of those who wear helmets has decreased over the last two decades. In 2000, 71 percent of motorcycle riders wore helmets, but as of 2017, only 65 percent report helmet usage, according to data collected by the Insurance Informatics Institute. Part of the issue is only 19 states have laws that require motorcycle riders and passengers to wear helmets. Nevada is one state that does have a helmet law with traffic citations given if a rider is pulled over when not wearing one. An individual can fight the charge if the vehicle is a moped, not a motorcycle, or the driver was not on a public road.
Steps to Safety
Motorcycles can share the road safely with other vehicles, but riders must be proactive. For one, helmets worn must be approved by the United States Department of Transportation. Secondly, motorcycle riders can enroll in safety courses to learn defensive driving techniques on the road. They also will receive refresher training on motorcycle handling and collision avoidance. Universities and community colleges across Nevada have courses certified by the Motorcycle Safety Foundation.
Stay safe on the road and if involved in a motorcycle accident, talk to an experienced attorney and seek legal advice about how to best proceed.