Did you know that the death rate for motorcyclists is 27 times the rate of death for drivers or passengers of standard vehicles?
In 2015, there were 4,700 fatal motorcycle accidents. Most of these were because the driver wasn’t wearing a helmet or proper protective clothing. Head injuries are the number one cause of motorcyle deaths.
Driving a motorcycle can be an awesome feeling of freedom. Unfortunately, with this freedom comes many risks.
There are many reasons for these dangers including lack of rider skill, road conditions, and visibility of the motorcycle by other motorists. Also, a motorcycle doesn’t have nearly the level of protection around the driver as a car does.
Not only are motorcycle accidents very common but the medical expenses from motorcycle accidents are twice as high as a car accident. In some cases, the recovery expenses for the victim are extensive, especially within the first two years of injury.
According to the Government Accountability Office (GAO):
“On average, a fatal motorcycle crash costs around $1.2 million, with non-fatal incidents carrying a price tag of anywhere from $2,500 to $1.4 million depending on rider injuries.”
The GAO says that the only way to reduce accidents is by making helmets laws mandatory. The GAO believes that helmets will cut the fatality rate by 39 percent. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration claims that in 2010, 1,550 deaths were prevented due to helmets.
If you decide to become a motorcycle rider, please take precaution and follow all safety measures.