Motorcycle Accidents – Typical Causes

When you’re out and driving, there’s nothing worse than getting in an accident. Whether it’s just a fender bender or a windshield-cracking, door-shredding crash, accidents are horrible things to witness and worse to experience. If you’re on a motorcycle, accidents become even worse. More than three thousand motorcycle accidents resulted in death last year in the United States alone, and the numbers are just as terrifying in the United Kingdom. With nothing between you and the other vehicle to absorb the impact, motorcycle accidents can be much more injurious than those sustained in a normal car or truck.

Motorcycle accidents are sometimes caused by poor maintenance—because a motorcycle only has two wheels, it is inherently more unstable than cars or trucks, and requires more careful maintenance to ensure safety out on the road. A slightly misaligned tire can result in a fatal crash, as can an engine or brake failure, so always make sure your motorcycle is in top shape.

Also, check the tires themselves. If you leave your tires too long without getting them replaced, the treads can wear away. These bald tires can lead to fatal motorcycle accidents, especially in snowy conditions or on wet roads where bald tires are more likely to hydroplane. Have your mechanic check your tires and make sure they’re still good to ride on.

Bad roads can lead to fatal motorcycle accidents as well. The government can only repair so many roads at a time, and some roads go for years without ever seeing the attention of a road crew. These roads can be treacherous enough to normal cars and trucks, with loose gravel and big potholes that can swallow a tire whole. If you’re on a motorcycle, that pothole can flip your motorcycle over and throw you onto the street, so you have to be a lot more careful. On bad roads, slow down and keep your eyes open, and avoid otherwise very painful motorcycle accidents.

There are plenty of other conditions which may lead to bad motorcycle accidents. Watch out for debris on the road – a nail in the tire at sixty miles and hour could lead to a potentially fatal blow-out. Also, sometimes things get spilled on the road – say a truck has an oil leak and is spilling oil onto the road as it drives. Oil isn’t the most friction conducive material it’s possible to put on a road, and driving over a patch could lead to a slide out and loss of control over your motorcycle. Watch for dark patches on the road that indicate spilled oil.

Then there’s ice. With as much rain as Britain gets, ice is fairly common whenever it gets cold, and when it’s present you have to be especially careful. In a car, a spinout could lead to ending up in a ditch. In a motorcycle, loss of control usually leads to a motorcycle accident – at the best, bruises or broken bones, at the worst, death. The human body isn’t made to slam into asphalt at sixty miles an hour, and won’t react well if it does. If there is ice on the road, drive slowly and very carefully, and you’ll come through all right.

Alcohol and drugs, of course, are an obvious problem. They impair judgment and turn otherwise good drivers into dangerous ones – the only good part of driving a motorcycle drunk is that when you crash you probably won’t take anyone else with you. The bad news is, you’ll still be just as dead. Sleep deprivation is nearly as bad, so make sure you’re always well rested before driving. Remember, because of the small size and low profile of motorcycles, drivers of cars will have a harder time seeing you. The responsibility of safety is up to you, so take it seriously.

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A big part of motorcycle safety is paying attention to your surroundings. Motorcycles are small and can easily be overlooked by cars or trucks, so it’s up to the rider to remain alert and recognize when you may be in danger. Many motorcyclists leave their headlight on even during daylight hours. This gives them extra visibility and reduces their chances of being overlooked. Make sure you are always visible to other drivers. Never ride in someone’s blind spot.

Pay extra attention at intersections and four-way stops. This is where most accidents involving motorcycles occur. A car may not see a motorcycle crossing an intersection, with the result being that they speed right into you. Also make sure to take extra caution around driveways, in parking lots, or anywhere where someone might be backing out. New motorcyclists should prepare for some serious defensive driving.

Changes in weather are harder on a motorcyclist than they are on other drivers. Not only is your body exposed to the elements, but a motorcycle is relatively light and can sometimes be pushed around by the wind, or skid easily on slippery road surfaces.

Hitting an obstacle that wouldn’t hinder a car might send a motorcyclist flying. For this reason, it’s important to always wear a helmet, preferably the type that cover the entire face. If your helmet only covers the top of your head, you must also wear sunglasses or goggles. If you ride without eye protection, it’s very easy for the wind to blow dust into your eyes.

And finally, all motorcyclists should take a motorcycle training course. A training course will lay out the basics of motorcycle safety, as well as touching on any laws specific to your state. It’s important to always follow the local laws, mind the speed limit, and avoid drinking and driving.

Police officers have a couple of frank and brutal names for riders without motorcycle helmets: organ donors or, after an accident, “street pizza.” Anyone who gets onboard a bike without a helmet is literally taking their life in their own hands. A motorcycle crash is obviously more dangerous than that of a car—you have no protection from the concrete, steel and obstacles of the road when you are on your bike. The very freedom that attracts riders can mean even a low speed accident can cause death for those who forego motorcycle helmets. Those who live are often subject to serious brain damage caused by concussions or facial disfigurement.

These are the reasons why motorcycle safety advocates insist every rider wear a helmet. In some states and countries such helmets are absolutely mandatory, while in others it is left to the biker’s discretion. The truth is if you have any brains worth protecting, you will use a helmet. There are several different types, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.

First is the standard “full face” helmet used by most road riders. This thick and bulky helmet covers the entire head, and shields the face behind a transparent sheet of shatterproof Plexiglas or plastic. It also covers the chin, vital since a large number of accidents involve impact under the chin area. Only full face motorcycle helmets offer the kind of full motorcycle safety that conscientious riders seek.

But “full face” helmets are also sweaty, claustrophobic and muffle the wearer’s hearing. A popular alternative which seeks to offer the best protection at greater comfort is the modular helmet, fitted with a face mask which can be flipped open. Everyone who rides wants the wind in their hair—modular motorcycle helmets let you get a little air while keeping your brain all in one place.

Much less protective and not recommended by motorcycle safety experts are three-quarters and half helmets, which are exactly what they sound like. The three-quarters helmet looks like an American Football helmet without the facemask, covering the top and sides of the head, but fastened with only a strap (offering no chin protection) and typically without any face mask. Half helmets were more popular in decades past and only cover the top of the head. The obvious disadvantages for riders are less protection, particularly in the chin and face areas which are highly vulnerable and often exposed to injury during wrecks.

All this to say: if you are considering a bike, please keep motorcycle safety on your mind with a helmet. The alternative is disfigurement, loss of brain function or death.