Read more on how to make the Grieving Families Act happen here.

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Many motorcycle accidents are attributable to road hazards. No matter how skilled and experienced you are, something as simple as a road bump, wet surfaces or debris can end up causing a life-altering accident. Here are three common roadway obstacles that can cause a wreck:

1. Potholes on the road

Potholes created by road repairs or wear and tear of the roadway can pose serious danger to motorcyclists. Potholes are particularly dangerous when filled with rainwater. If a cyclist hits a pothole while speeding, they may lose control and veer into oncoming traffic. A motorcyclist can also cause an accident when trying to avoid a pothole in a difficult traffic situation. 

2. Railroad crossings

Motorbike tires easily get stuck while crossing the railroad. This can result in the rider getting thrown off, especially if they were riding at a high speed. Railroad crossroads are particularly hazardous during rainy seasons when the wood between the tracks is wet and slippery. This often leads to the rider losing control over their bike while riding across the railroad. 

3. Animals on the road

Stray dogs, cats and squirrels are common on New York roads. Generally, animals on the road pose a serious risk to all road users. Most motorcyclist accidents that involve animals happen when the biker attempts to avoid the animal. This can result in the motorcyclist losing control or veering off into oncoming traffic. 

Unfortunately, your risk of an accident on your motorcycle isn’t limited to just these hazards. There are plenty of drivers out there who just don’t like to share the road – and others that are simply inattentive. A motorcycle accident can leave you severely hurt. Find out how you can pursue financial compensation for damages occasioned by a motorbike accident that is not your fault. 

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While motorcycles tend to be safer than some may think, when there is an accident, it can be devastating. One motorist’s mistake can take you from feelings of freedom to extensive injuries.

These are some of the most common causes of motorcycle crashes.

Substance abuse and misuse

Whether you are on a motorcycle or in a car, drinking before operating a motor vehicle is always a bad idea. Alcohol and other mood-altering substances can impact your reaction time and ability to respond to dangerous situations appropriately.

While you may already know you should not consume mood-altering substances before getting on your motorcycle, you should be aware that others on the road could be under the influence. If you notice signs that another motorist could be under the influence, you should try to get as much space from them as possible.

High speeds

While going fast on a motorcycle may be fun, it can quickly turn a minor accident into a deadly one. You can have years of experience on your bike and still encounter something that can lead to a massive collision.

Inexperience

It is no secret that the more you ride your motorcycle, the better you get at handling it, especially in difficult situations. Lack of experience can lead to deadly crashes and make for dangerous situations for you and other motorists.

Before you head out on open and winding roads, you should get comfortable with your bike and how it operates in more familiar territory. You may also want to consider taking some 1:1 classes to help you fine-tune your skills.

Riding a motorcycle can be an exciting part of your summer, but being aware of the common causes of motorcycle collisions can help you avoid being in an accident.

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Where motorcycle crashes happen

Motorcycle crashes can happen at any time on any road. However, statistics reveal that they occur more in certain places and at certain times.

According to statistics from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), most fatal motorcycle crashes happen:

• In August (with other summer months having high numbers, as well)
• Between 6 and 9 p.m. on weekends
• Between 3 and 6 p.m. on weekdays
• On major roads other than freeways and interstates
• In urban areas (versus rural settings)
• In clear conditions and good weather

Some of these statistics are unsurprising. After all, in places like New York, it makes sense that there are more motorcycles on the roads in the summer and when the weather is nice. 

However, it is still helpful to see this information because it highlights the fact that conditions need not be treacherous for riders to be at risk.

Who gets hurt?

Most crashes involving a motorcycle involve another vehicle, though motorcyclists are far more likely to die in a collision than people in cars and trucks. 

Further, fatal motorcycle crashes are more likely to involve:

• Riders over 50 years old
• Males
• Riders wearing helmets
• Riders on motorcycles with 0-1,000 cc sized engines (though fatal accidents involving riders with an engine larger than 1,400 cc have increased dramatically in recent years)
• Intoxicated riders in single-vehicle crashes
• Sober riders in multi-vehicle crashes

If you fall into any of these categories, it can be crucial to appreciate the fact that you could be at a higher risk of getting killed in a motorcycle crash than others. 

Protecting yourself on your ride

If you ride a motorcycle, you can use this information to protect yourself. Stay alert and make safe decisions. Make yourself visible and wear protective gear. Be cautious, even when the roads seem perfect. And if you are involved in a crash, getting medical and legal support immediately can be crucial.

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However, these are not excuses for hitting a motorcycle, and drivers can be liable for damages they cause when they crash into a rider.

Why can’t drivers see motorcyclists?

There are some common reasons why drivers may say they didn’t see a motorcycle before hitting it. 

• Motorcycles are small. Because of their smaller size, motorcycles are more easily concealed by other vehicles, buildings or other objects. They can be harder to see when they are in a driver’s blind spots. Further, drivers can misjudge the speed of motorcycles because of their size.
• They are more nimble. Motorcycles can fit in much smaller spaces than cars. And while it is not legal to lane-split in New York, motorcyclists might pull up next to a vehicle or pull in front of a driver. If a driver is not aware of the biker, they can be surprised when a motorcycle slips in traffic around them.
• Drivers can experience inattentional blindness. This phenomenon refers to seeing something without processing it. For instance, even if a driver is looking right at motorcyclists, they may not register it consciously, making it more likely that they could crash into the rider.
• Drivers may not be driving safely. Too often, crashes come down to human error. A driver may be drunk, distracted by their cellphone or falling asleep behind the wheel. These conditions can make a person a serious threat to other road users, particularly those that are already more difficult to see and anticipate. 

Some of these reasons are unavoidable; others are entirely within drivers’ control. However, none of them are acceptable reasons for striking a motorcyclist.

Improving your vision, visibility

Motorcycles can indeed be more difficult to see than cars. But that does not mean they have any less right to share the roads with others.

To avoid a crash, drivers must pay attention, take the time to look for motorcycles and give them the time and space necessary to prevent a collision. Riders can protect themselves by driving defensively and making themselves as visible as possible.

Should a crash still occur, legal action against a negligent driver can be appropriate.

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Motorcyclists often assume that drivers cause most motorcycle crashes. However, when teenage motorcyclists are concerned, it is different. According to the New York State Department of Health (NYSDH), teenage motorcyclists are at fault in two out of every three crashes they were involved in. The number one reason for crashes was going too fast.

How can I help my teen stay safe on a motorcycle?

Once your child mounts their motorcycle, there is only so much you can do. They need to take responsibility for their own safety. However, as a concerned parent, you can ensure they are as prepared as possible. For example:

• Enroll them in a training course: The New York State Motorcycle Safety Program (NYSMSP) offers a series of training courses from beginner to advanced. These can provide vital extra training.
• Ensure they have proper equipment: A quality, well-fitting helmet is essential. Padded jackets, trousers, gloves and appropriate boots can significantly reduce injuries in the event of a crash. They might seem expensive. Yet, they are much cheaper than the medical treatment they could prevent.
• Ensure the bike is well maintained: You do not need to be a mechanic. There are plenty of them who will check the motorcycle your child wishes to buy for a fee.

You can do nothing about other drivers or cyclists who could cause your child to be in a motorcycle crash. All you can do is help your teenage motorcyclist prepare for the realities of the road.

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Some cite the statistics involving a higher number of fatalities for those who operate two-wheel transports. While motorcyclists are fewer in number, deaths are calculated based on miles traveled. While often cited, those tragedies are on the decline. The most recent motorcycle accident statistics saw a decrease of three percent from 2016 to 2017.

The tragic consequences of not being seen

Instances of motorcycle-on-motorcycle crashes are, at best, minimal. Cars and trucks are usually the vehicles that strike motorcycles, not the other way around.  Far too many cyclists are putting their lives in the hands of larger vehicle drivers when they travel.

Yet, riding with the highest standards of safety while proactively putting on protective gear before each trip cannot stop a negligent car or truck driver from colliding with them. All because they didn’t notice a vehicle smaller than theirs.

One of the most common reasons people choose not to ride a motorcycle is the risk of serious injury or death. While some cyclists are careless in their operation or ride at excessive speeds, many motorcycle enthusiasts practice safe riding. Not because they necessarily want to, but because they have to.

They see the risks firsthand when out on the road. Sadly, many of their larger counterpart vehicle operators don’t share those risks and far too often fail to see motorcyclists.

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Not according to the statistics.

According to The National Safety Council’s (NSC) Odds of Dying Chart, the overall risk of a US citizen dying due to a motorcycle crash is 1 in 890. This compares with the much higher risk of dying in a motor vehicle crash of any sort, which is 1 in 106. To add some perspective, the threat from heart disease is one in 6, and cancer is one in 7.

However, these figures do not represent the whole picture. Remember that everyone has a heart, but only 8% of households own a bike, according to the Motorcycle Industry Council. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) calculates that you are 27 times more likely per mile to be killed when riding a motorcycle than if you were traveling by car.

Those of us who love motorcycle riding, however, will not be deterred by statistics like these. Instead, these numbers should encourage people to show more care in wearing protective gear and driving defensively. Awareness of the most common motorcycle accidents is also prudent.

Left-turn vehicle driver cause many accidents

In 43% of the fatal motorcycle crashes documented, there was no other vehicle involved. However, when another car was involved, 42% of the time the collision was due to the second vehicle turning left across the motorcyclist.

Statistics do not count for much if you have already been seriously injured in a motorcycle crash. However unlikely it may have been, it happened. The only figures that matter now are those related to compensation. Seek legal help to ensure the insurance company does not short-change you.

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When people do drive, many have been speeding or not paying attention due to the lack of other cars on the road. But this carelessness has also led to more serious crashes.

On June 12, a fatal crash was reported in Gowanda County. One person died and multiple others were injured in the early morning crash. This is just one more in many recent reports of fatal crashes occurring during the pandemic – a time when one would expect less accidents on the roads but what is turning into more severe accident results.

The Buffalo News reported that on some area roads, the lack of traffic during COVID-19 crisis has seen a jump in speeding of 30% during times that would normally be congested traffic at rush hour.

How do your odds change with speeding?

According to a report from the World Health Organization (WHO), speed affects crashes with injuries in several key areas:

–Decreased reaction time — Drivers have less time to react when they have to stop or slow down if they are speeding.

–Increased chances of fatalities – The chances of having a fatal accident are 20 times greater when someone is driving at approximately 50 miles/per hour rather than slower speed of 30 miles per hour.

–Bystander fatality odds – Perhaps more impactful even are the percentages affecting pedestrians and bicyclists when struck by a car.  Survival rates after these crashes are only 50% when drivers were going 45 kph or 27.96 mph, whereas reducing driving speed affected survival rate favorably at 90% of the victims living after being struck by someone going 30 kph or 18.64 mph.

Furthermore, the WHO stated that for every 1kpm faster someone drivers (or .62 mph), drivers increase the chances of having a crash with injuries by 3%. They also increase the odds of having a crash with fatalities by 4 to 5 %.

What can drivers do?

Knowing that even a few miles per hour can dramatically change outcomes of crashes and severity, there are several things people can do to keep everyone safer on the roads.

Be aware of your speed limit. Without other cars on the road, you may not be as aware of how fast you are traveling because there are not other vehicles to keep pace with.

Keep your distance. Allow for more distance between your vehicle and others on the road.

Give yourself enough time. Allow yourself plenty of time when driving from place to place, so you won’t feel the need to speed.

We can all do our part to keep roads safer during the pandemic.

The post With Fewer Cars on the Road, Drivers Speed, Crashes Worsen appeared first on Campbell & Associates.

As the warmer months continue, people are going to be cutting their grass. While this is a necessary task, it is one that poses a unique hazard for motorcyclists. Anyone who is going to cut grass must ensure that they aren’t blowing it into the street.

Grass is 85% water and is very slick even when it is dry. Grass that comes between the motorcycles tires and the road can make it impossible for the motorcyclist to steer, which can lead to a crash. The roadway doesn’t have to be covered for this to occur. Even a small amount of clippings can lead to the loss of traction that causes the biker to lose control. The hazard is so great that driving on grass clippings is often compared to riding on a sheet of ice.

New York Vehicle and Traffic Law Sections 1219 and 1220 cover the discharge of debris onto roadways in the state. These laws specifically prohibit putting anything onto the road that might cause injury. This shows how important it is to keep the roads safe for everyone, including motorcyclists, to use.

For a motorcyclist who loses control on grass clippings, the injuries can be severe. Road rash (which has a risk of infection), head injuries, damage to the spinal cord, broken bones and other injuries are possible. It’s imperative that they receive the care they need. They might opt to pursue a claim for compensation that can help them to cover the costs of getting treatment for their injuries, as well as any other financial damages they suffer due to the wreck.

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