Motorcyclists are a common sight on Ohio roads. While most people in passenger vehicles and trucks share the road with them safely, riders face a litany of risks. Given the potential for accidents with catastrophic injuries and death, being aware of the facts regarding these types of crashes is essential.
Why do motorcycle accidents happen?
There are a seemingly endless number of ways motorcycle accidents occur, but many happen for a relatively short list of reasons. Riders are in a unique position where they are largely unprotected. Therefore, they need to be vigilant.
Others on the road often do not see the motorcycle before the accident happens. This is a problem at intersections, where an estimated 70% of motorcycle accidents happen.
The road itself is rife with danger. For example, debris on the road from an earlier accident can cause the rider to lose control of the bike. When riding at high speeds, motorcycles can “wobble.” This is when the front of the bike loses stability. It might be a flaw with the motorcycle itself and requires a different level of assessment to determine what happened and why.
When riders take to the road, they might not be as experienced or skilled as they think. It takes coordination and quick reflexes to ride a motorcycle safely. Lacking these abilities can be a catalyst for motorcycle accidents.
Understand the uniqueness of motorcycle accidents
People are prone to suffering severe injuries in a motorcycle accident. These can be debilitating with vast medical bills, lost income from being unable to work and long-term challenges. Their family will have myriad issues to address if there is a fatality. Knowing the available options is imperative.