Why are Motorcycles So Dangerous?

Motorcyclists are more likely to die in traffic than occupants of other vehicles. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), a motorcyclist is 24 times as likely to be killed in a traffic accident than occupants of a passenger car. One of the reasons for that increased risk is obvious: a motorcyclist is largely unprotected.

Drivers and passengers in cars, SUVs, trucks and other types of passenger vehicles are surrounded by a structure that absorbs some of the impact in a collision. They are typically also protected by safety features such as seatbelts and airbags. In contrast, motorcyclists are fully exposed. Another vehicle that hits their bike may make direct contact with the motorcyclist’s body, or the biker may be thrown from the bike or dragged as it tips and skids. 

That doesn’t tell the whole story, though. The risk to motorcyclists is impacted by many factors, including: 

• The structure of the vehicle
• Motorcyclist actions
• How drivers interact with motorcycles on the road

Motorcycle Risk Factors

Motorcycle Structures

It won’t come as a surprise to anyone that a vehicle on four wheels is generally more stable than one on two. A motorcycle is much more vulnerable to tipping than a vehicle with four wheels or more. For the same reason, motorcycles may slide, tip, or crash due to hazards that would have less impact on a car or truck. 

For example, a serious motorcycle crash can be caused by: 

• Grass clippings on the road
• A very small patch of oil or ice
• A pothole
• Relatively small debris in the road
• An unexpected change in level or surface
• Being rear-ended at a low speed

All of these additional risks suggest that motorcyclists should take even greater care on the road than drivers of larger vehicles. However, it doesn’t always play out that way. 

Motorcyclist Behaviors on the Road

Public safety campaigns frequently exhort drivers to pay more attention to motorcyclists on the road. They should. But, that won’t entirely solve the problem. The NHTSA says 38% of motorcycle fatalities are single-vehicle accidents. That means the motorcyclist didn’t get hit by or collide with another vehicle–they tipped or laid down the bike, crashed into a fixed object, or otherwise crashed on their own. 

43% of those who were killed in single-vehicle motorcycle crashes had BACs of .08 or greater–in other words, were considered legally intoxicated in South Carolina. 28% of all motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes, where single-vehicle or multi-vehicle, were legally intoxicated. 

In addition, 36% of motorcyclists involved in fatal collisions were operating without a valid motorcycle license. 33% were speeding. 

Motorcyclists may also increase the risk of serious injury or death by: 

• Failing to use safety gear such as a helmet and windshield or goggles
• Failing to conduct a safety check of the vehicle before hitting the road
• Lane splitting or weaving in and out of traffic

Drivers v. Motorcyclists

Because they are so much larger and heavier, cars, trucks, SUVs and other vehicles present a greater danger to motorcyclists. Some steps drivers can take to minimize that risk include: 

• Being consciously aware of motorcyclists on the road–one of the most significant risks motorcyclists face from drivers is inattention blindness, which causes a driver to actually fail to see a motorcyclist or other unexpected object in plain sight
• Maintaining a safe distance when following a motorcycle, understanding that a low-speed rear-end collision is much more dangerous for a motorcyclist and that a vehicle that is following too close could run over a motorcyclist to tips or slides
• Using turn signals appropriately and checking carefully when changing lanes
• Being conscious of the fact that motorcycles maneuver more quickly and easily, and being prepared for abrupt changes when sharing the road with motorcyclists

Avoiding motorcycle accidents must be a joint effort between bikers and those operating larger vehicles on the road–and that’s only the beginning. Road maintenance and lighting also play a role, as well as ensuring that everyone refrains from creating dangerous conditions through actions that may seem harmless, like shooting grass clippings from your lawn mower into the road. 

What to Do after a Motorcycle Accident

If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident, safety comes first. Assess whether you or anyone else needs medical attention, and move to safety if you are in an unsafe location and you are able to make the move safely. If you’re able, exchange insurance information with anyone else involved, just as you would after a car accident. Then, collect any information that may be helpful later, such as photos of the accident scene and witness information. 

Err on the side of getting checked out by a medical professional, as injuries may not be immediately obvious or may seem less serious at first. Then, reach out to an experienced Charleston motorcycle accident lawyer. Attorney Frank Hartman has decades of experience fighting for Charleston injury victims, and can help determine who may be responsible for your injuries and pursue fair compensation. 

To learn more, call 843-300-7600 or fill out our contact form. The initial consultation is free, and there’s no obligation.