Motorcyclists are at greater risk of injury in crashes

If you ride a motorcycle, you have joined millions of other Americans in taking to the open road on two wheels. The difficult news is, you are three times more likely to be killed in an accident on Kentucky and U.S. highways as a motorcyclist than if you are driving a motor vehicle. In addition, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, deaths from motorcycle crashes increased 7 percent from 2011 to 2012. At Gary C. Johnson PSC, we know that when you ride your motorcycle you are particularly vulnerable to serious injury from a crash with a passenger vehicle or truck.

Even highly skilled riders have very little protection in the event of an accident. Reinforced motorcycle attire may offer some armor against skin abrasions, but the toughest leather cannot prevent fractures and other injuries. Other factors that contribute to the danger of riding a motorcycle in traffic include the following:

• A 2,000 to 4,000-lb. car can exert tremendous impact on a 500 to 1,000-lb. bike.
• Riders are entirely exposed.
• Helmets can mitigate damage, but they do not guarantee safety.
• Most motorcycles do not have airbags.

A rider can be injured when he or she is hit by a motor vehicle, or the vehicle may cause the rider to lose control of the motorcycle. The motorcyclist can suffer head trauma and limb fractures from impact with the road itself, or the motorcycle can land on top of the rider. For more information about motorcycles and highway collisions, visit out page.