A motorcycle accident is a very dangerous thing to be involved in, as the motorbike annually kills more people than any other means of transportation on the road. Different statistics show worrying trends, as the number of injuries or fatalities have been rising for the last few years continuously. Here are a few main reasons why this is happening:

COLLISIONS WITH FIXED OBJECTS

Fixed objects in the environment that motorcycle drivers fail to see or to dodge are another important cause for accidents. This goes hand in hand with high speeds, use of alcohol or drugs and bad maintenance of the bike. Also, negotiating a curve at very high speeds and under-cornering are also important factors. In this category, the human error accounts for approximately 66% of all the motorcycle accidents.

VEHICLE FAILURE

Although it is only responsible for about 3% of all the accidents, it’s worth taking into consideration. Bad maintenance is avoidable. Most of these accidents are the result of a flat tire which forced the driver to collide with another vehicle or with a fixed object in the environment. Claim Compensation Online Now!

COLLISIONS WITH OTHER TYPES OF VEHICLES

It is approximated that 75% of all the motorcycle accidents are the result of a collision with another vehicle, typically passenger cars. Out of this percentage, a staggering 65% is due to the fact that the driver of the other vehicle failed to see the motorbike and crossed over its path. This situation is most often encountered at night, when the riders are most vulnerable.

ROAD FLAWS AND ANIMAL INVOLVEMENT

Road flaws like holes, spillages, etc. and animal involvement are to blame for about 2% of motorcycle accidents.

Now, here are some more interesting facts and figures. Out of all the motorcycle drivers who are injured in accidents, 60% don’t wear protective helmets. Now, that is a really big number, considering the fact that the helmet greatly reduces the risk of injury. It’s not a big deal to put it on, but many riders consider them uncomfortable. Moreover, the helmet doesn’t diminish by any means the rider’s attention, his/her hearing or the vision.

The ages in which a motorcycle accident is more likely to happen are those between 16 and 24, and as far as the gender goes, males are involved in 96%. Over 50% of the riders have less than 5 months of experience. Bad weather is only involved in 2% of the motorcycle accidents.

The figures say it all. The motorbike is not a toy. But a great deal of all the accidents happen because it is considered one. Lacking protection from the outside world, the protection which a normal automobile would have, the bikes are more vulnerable than any other vehicles.

But the young riders couldn’t care less about these figures. For them, the bike represents freedom, independence, the wind blowing through the hair and the direct contact with the road. Feeling the rumble of a bike’s engine is music to many of these peoples’ years. They are not to blame. Even for the outsiders, a bike can be fascinating. But the sad thing is that many of these accidents can be prevented.