There is no doubt that one of the most dangerous vehicles to ride when an accident occurs is a motorcycle. The lack of exterior protection can literally be deadly.
It is important to understand the most common causes of serious motorcycle accidents, particularly since the risk of death or injury is so high. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, almost 80% of all motorcycle accidents involve either injury or death on the part of the motorcyclist.
What causes so many accidents?
Surprisingly, the cause of many motorcycle accidents is the motorcyclist him or herself. Namely, experts blame many motorcycle accidents on the operator’s lack of experience. Additionally, roughly 40% of all fatal motorcycle accidents involve alcohol. Since operating a motorcycle requires more finesse than operating a regular passenger vehicle, it should come as no surprise that drinking alcohol and then getting on a motorcycle can be fatal.
Additionally, nearly a third of motorcyclists who die in crashes are not properly licensed to operate a motorcycle. Again, operating a motorcycle is very different than operating a car and requires a completely different set of skills.
How can I prevent death or injury while riding a motorcycle?
The first step is to ensure that you are sober and fully aware of how a motorcycle works. Even experienced riders can benefit from taking motorcycle classes. Another important component is wearing a helmet that has a DOT-approved sticker. There are helmets on the market which are not DOT-approved: these are for fashion purposes only and you should not wear them while operating a motorcycle.
