in Motorcycle Accident, Personal Injury

How Do Car Accidents Compare to Motorcycle Accidents?

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Philadelphia Car Accidents vs Motorcycle Accidents

Being in a motorcycle accident is far more dangerous than being in a car accident. Motorcycle riders are 27 times more likely to die when they are in an accident than are drivers and riders in cars, according to data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). People riding motorcycles are also 10 times more likely to be severely injured in a crash, compared to people in cars.

For more than 50 years, the experienced personal injury trial lawyers at Raynes & Lawn have been fighting for the rights of people injured in accidents. We have secured a total of billions of dollars for our clients, while being deeply committed to achieving justice for each individual client.

If you or a loved one were injured in a motorcycle accident, and the other driver was negligent, you may be entitled to substantial compensation for your medical treatment, lost income, pain and suffering, and other expenses and losses stemming from your injuries. If a loved one passed away from their motorcycle accident injuries, you may be eligible to file a wrongful death suit on their behalf. Having an experienced motorcycle accident injury attorney represent you is the best way to ensure that you get all the compensation that the law entitles you to receive.

Differences Between Car Accidents and Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle riders are more exposed than people driving or riding in cars. In cars, drivers and passengers are protected by the size and stability of their vehicles and their greater visibility to other drivers, along with their seat belts, airbags, and all the metal that surrounds them. For these reasons, motorcycle riders are far more likely to be seriously injured or killed when they are in a crash than are people who are inside a car.

There are also other differences between car and motorcycle accidents:

  • 31% of motorcycle riders in fatal crashes were speeding, compared to 18% of car drivers.
  • 22% of motorcycles in fatal accidents crashed into fixed objects, compared to 16% of cars.
  • 28% of motorcycle riders in fatal crashes were driving without a license, compared to 13% of drivers in passenger vehicles.
  • Motorcycle drivers involved in fatal crashes were 21% more likely to have previously had their license suspended, compared to car drivers.
  • 25% of motorcycle riders who were involved in fatal crashes, including those who were killed and those who survived, were impaired by alcohol, compared to 21% of car drivers.

Common Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Serious injuries are unfortunately common in motorcycle accidents. These include:

If you or a loved one were seriously injured in a motorcycle crash, you need the help of an experienced motorcycle accident injury attorney to ensure you get all the compensation the law allows.

Prejudices Against Motorcycle Riders

The non-motorcycle-riding public sometimes has false perceptions of motorcycle riders, thinking that riders are reckless and that accidents must be their fault. If you are litigating a motorcycle accident injury claim, these myths can cause problems even when the other driver was at fault. An experienced motorcycle injury attorney working on your behalf will overcome these obstacles by doing a thorough investigation to find the evidence that will show the other driver was negligent and then presenting that evidence in a compelling and persuasive way.

Types of Motorcycle Injury Crashes

Motorcycle accidents may involve collisions between motorcycles and other vehicles or between motorcycles and objects that are not moving. Data from the NHTSA shows that 56% of fatal motorcycle accidents involve crashes with other vehicles, while 22% involved crashes into fixed objects. Some common type of motorcycle injury crashes include:

  • Crashes between motorcycles and other types of vehicles. In 43% of these accidents, the other vehicles were making left-hand turns. In 21% of the accidents, both vehicles were going straight.
  • Front-impact. In more than 75% of all two-vehicle accidents, the motorcycles were impacted in the front. In 8%, the motorcycles were hit in the rear.
  • Head-on collisions. When a motorcycle and a car collide head-on, the risk of the motorcycle rider being killed is high.
  • Accidents caused by lane splitting. Motorcyclists riding between lanes of traffic increase their risk of accidents.
  • Accidents caused by potholes and other road hazards. Motorcycles are more vulnerable than cars to crashing because of uneven or slippery roads or because of objects on the road.

Preventing Motorcycle Injuries

Motorcycle riders can reduce the risk of accidents that cause injuries and fatalities by following good safety practices. These include:

  • Wearing a helmet. NHTSA estimates that for every 100 motorcycle riders who were killed in accidents while not wearing helmets, the lives of 37 would have been saved had they all been wearing helmets.
  • Don’t ride while impaired by alcohol or drugs or while fatigued.
  • Don’t speed, tailgate, lane split, or weave through traffic.
  • Don’t use your phone while riding and avoid other distractions.
  • Keep your motorcycle well maintained and your tires properly inflated.
  • Wear goggles, highly visible clothing, and boots or closed-toe leather shoes.

Compensation for Motorcycle Accident Injuries

Motorcycle accident injuries are often serious. They may require long-term or lifetime medical treatment and care and may cause long-term loss of income. People with serious injuries need substantial compensation to pay their bills and cover their losses. An experienced motorcycle accident injury attorney will get the compensation that injury victims need and deserve.

Where Can I Find a Motorcycle Accident Attorney Near Me?

At the Raynes & Lawn law firm, we understand how devastating injuries from a motorcycle accident can be. We are dedicated to recovering compensation for our clients and to holding negligent drivers responsible for the harm they caused. Contact us today to set up a free consultation with a Philadelphia motorcycle accident attorney by filling out the contact form on our website or calling us toll-free number at (800) 535-1797, and we will provide a free case evaluation.

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