Articles Posted in Motorcycle Safety

Did you know that International Ride to Work Day took place last month. This special day is intended to celebrate the joy of motorcycling and to raise awareness for safer riding. Here at Georgia Brain Injury Lawyers Blog, we are all for that!  The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration points out that in 2015 there were nearly 5,000 fatal accidents involving motorcyclists. All bike enthusiasts want to do all we can do lower that number. Unfortunately, this represents an 8-percent increase from the prior year. Another tough statistic is that fatalities involving motorcycles are more likely to happen than fatalities involving passenger vehicles.

The difference between life and death can be something very controllable, like speed on a curve, or keeping your eyes up on an intersection turn or wearing a protective helmet. Helmets are so important to safe riding. We cannot stress this enough. It should be a top priority for all riders who want to ride safely. And of course, riding sober is right up there too as a key for safe riding.

One trend for the bike industry is very positive. That trend has become more and more evident: bikes are the ride of choice for some in the younger generation. With older riders slowing down both in their lives and in their buying of new motorcycles, the trend for younger riders is welcome by all. Young riders who were disinterested in bikes in previous years, are picking up the many new offerings especially created for new riders from Honda, Harley and other manufacturers. Younger riders, millennials in fact, are being pulled in by bikes that are meant just for them. If this new rider generation sticks, it will be very good news for the bike makers.

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Here at Georgia Brain Injury Lawyers Blog, we watch motorcycle trends, including such things as safer riding and how to avoid injury. As we come to the close of 2016, our hope is that this past year’s statistics on how riders fared across the country will be an improvement over 2015. We will not know that for a while as the statistics are gathered and published early next year. Our further hope is that 2017 is the safest year ever for both bike riders and bicyclists.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) reviews and analyzes statistics on motorcycle riding in America. They also keep track of how safety measures help avoid injury and keep riders safer on the roads with other vehicles. We often share stories of riders who have been seriously or fatally injured while doing something they love … riding. We share them to make our readers more aware of what they can do to stay safe on their rides. We know for example, that many serious or fatal bike crashes happen while riders are traveling through, or turning at, intersections. We also know that helmet use can help protect riders. Whether you ride once a month or every day, we want all riders to make sure they know the latest data on how to avoid serious injury. The IIHS has recently noted what the federal government has reported … riders are significantly more likely to be injured or lose their lives than those in cars.

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Fatality Analysis Reporting System (FARS) noted in 2015 that a  over 4,550 motorcyclists lost their lives in accidents in that year. Although fatal motorcycle crashes declined in the early 1980’s, that decline turned into a steady increase until 2008. The increase has leveled out in the past few years. Out of all fatal motor vehicle crashes in 2015, about 13 percent were those riding motorcycles. Last year, nearly 30 percent of those fatally injured were those who did not hold a valid driver’s license, while only 15 percent of those fatally injured in other motor vehicles did not hold a driver’s license. Another interesting statistic is that in 2015 about 30 percent of fatally injured motorcyclists were under the age of 30. In 1975, 80 percent of fatally injured motorcyclists were under the age of 30.

We like to keep our riders apprised of bike recalls both for bikes they might own or that riders they know might own. We urge all riders to pay attention to recall notifications. Sometimes owners ignore recalls. They assume the recall might not apply to their bike. But when a recall is issued, owners should contact their dealer, manufacturer or the federal consumer authorities at SaferCar.gov. Sometimes recalls can protect against Georgia motorcycle injury. One recent recall occurred because two riders were injured while riding a competition motorcycle. A recall has been issued for the Husqvarna TC and FC and KTM SX and SX-F motocross competition motorcycles. These motorcycles are identifiable by their colors, logos and the model name and engines identifications. The company has recalled these bikes due to reports provided to them of wheel spoke failure. These reports were of specific injuries that had been sustained by the riders. In one case the rider broke his shoulder and in another accident, the rider broke ribs.

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We recently came across an interesting piece in Motorcyclist magazine. We think Georgia motorcycle riders would be interested in the “how to ride a motorcycle forever” perspective. Our experience in representing Atlanta bike riders after injury or accident has led us to a keen interest in protecting riders from motorcycle crashes and injuries. Our clients include all age groups, but it stands to reason that the older we get the more challenging physical activity can get. And we all know that physical and mental sharpness is important in safe riding.

Amazingly, the stats show that American riders generally have about four decades behind them. And that means the horizon of both physical and mental challenges might be ahead as we age. The key to the lifelong safe riding and avoiding serious motorcycle injury, is staying mentally and physically fit. Having the wisdom that should ride along with the years can help us make better judgments in tight situations that we all find on the roads, especially these days with rude and distracted drivers. As an experienced rider, the hope is that you have gained sensory and muscle memory from years of riding that can help you anticipate trouble and respond well to it.

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After a string of fatal motorcycle crashes in the Atlanta metro area, particularly those in which bikers have been struck by other vehicles as those vehicles are either making a turn or the biker makes a turn, we have set out to remind our readers about the importance of safe riding. Earlier this year, the Georgia Governor’s Office of Highway Safety launched a safe riding campaign, with the aim of reducing motorcycle crash fatalities. Over the two prior years, the highest rates of fatal crashes came from metro counties, including Fulton, DeKalb and Gwinnett and neighboring Newton County.

As a Gwinnett County motorcycle injury lawyer, this latest string of bike crashes and fatalities concerns me greatly. I represent riders and their families and support them through what can be traumatic and life-changing experiences. Although the statistics show that Georgia had slightly fewer fatalities in 2012, than in 2011, over 130 people lost their lives in bike crashes. This why both motorists and riders, have been asked to renew their commitment to sharing the road.

In Georgia, we have over 200,000 registered motorcycles — less than two and one half percent of all registered vehicles. But sadly, in 2011 (for example) motorcycle deaths amounted to 11 percent of all fatalities on our roads and highways. This type of statistic is found in other states around the country. It is not just true in Georgia. In 2011 motorcycle deaths in the United States amounted to 14 percent, with a three percent average registration across the country. We have seen a drop in fatalities in Georgia from 2005.

But as we are all aware, any fatality on a bike is a tragedy and our fatal crash rates in urban and rural areas are too high. In general, bike riders are 30 times more likely to die in a collision than are those driving or riding in other types of motor vehicles.

We know that proper helmet use is one reason why riders are surviving crashes that would other wise be fatal. The importance of the proper helmet can never be overstated.

Education is also key in safety. About 22 percent of riders in motorcycle crashes do not have the proper license or have no license. And it is said that because bikes are fuel efficient, some riders do not get the background they need to ride safely. Right here in Georgia, our Department of Driver Services has 22 motorcycle safety training sites and certifies nearly 15 additional sites around the state.

Here is are some safety reminders: don’t drive impaired or distracted; do wear protective a helmet and bright clothing with reflectors; avoid riding in bad weather; always signal a lane change and use hand signals when possible in addition to your turn signal; make sure to position your bike before a turn so that other drivers can best see you.

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Knowing the risks of failing to wear a helmet, I am baffled by those riders who choose to ride without one. The risks of serious injury are so high in the event of an accident without a helmet. As a motorcycle injury lawyer, I work with riders who have been injured wearing a helmet. And I work with riders who have been injured without wearing a helmet. Those families whose loved one has lost his or her life due to lack of helmet live with their loss knowing it might have been prevented.

Last week, we learned that a veteran police officer in a nearby state lost his life while riding his motorcycle without a helmet. In that state, the helmet law was enacted and then repealed after riders protested it. So what he did was legal. But had that law not been repealed would the office be alive today? Without a helmet, he could not protect himself from the injury he sustained when he crashed into a deer while riding his bike. It was said that he “died of blunt force trauma to the head and trunk.”

The loss of this fine man and his family’s sorrow are difficult to imagine. I have helped families through this sort of inconceivable loss and my heart goes out to this family and their community.

In Georgia, riders are required to wear a helmet. Georgia’s law, found at Official Code of Georgia Annotated section 40-6-315 referred to as the Georgia Motorcycle Helmet Law, sets out the requirement for approved headgear when riding on our roadways. Specifically, O.C.G.A. § 40-6-315 (a) states that “[no person shall operate or ride upon a motorcycle unless he or she is wearing protective headgear which complies with standards established by the commissioner of public safety.” In addition, a windshield or an approved type of eye-protective device is also required.

Georgia riders can consult with a great resource for what is required in our state. Please consult the Georgia Motorcycle Operator’s Manual. There is no doubt that neck and head injuries are more likely to be serious or fatal. Wearing an approved helmet can lower the risk of these terrible outcomes. In fact you are three times more likely to survive head injury if you are wearing a helmet. Riders should select a helmet that complies with U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and state standards. Look for a helmet with the Snell Memorial Foundation label in it, those are recommended for quality.

Bikers sometimes say they like the feeling of riding without a helmet. But consider the feeling that you will never ride again because you are disabled or your family is grieving your death when it might have been avoided. Also consider the fact that helmets do not obstruct your ability to see the road.

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