Motorcycle Accidents: How Are They Different from Other Auto Wrecks?
For car drivers, motorcycles can be thrilling. It’s also dangerous for drivers. Due to riders’ lack of protection, motorcycle crashes are often more dangerous. Motorcycle accidents can also harm drivers of larger vehicles.
What distinguishes motorcycle accidents? Here’s what you need to know.
Motorcycle Speed and Physiology
Physics is a major factor when comparing motorcycle accidents to other car accidents. Motorcycles’ lighter weight, size, and nimbleness greatly affect accident dynamics. Due to their power, acceleration, and limited passenger and cargo capacity, motorcycles travel faster than most other vehicles.
Motorcycles stop faster than cars and have less kinetic energy, giving other drivers less time to avoid them. Motorcyclists often maneuver through traffic more aggressively than drivers of larger vehicles due to their shorter stopping distance. However, high-speed maneuvering can cause more accidents than other vehicles.
Motorcycle riders must consider physics and speed when riding, whether defensively or weaving through traffic at higher speeds. Motorcycle riders must consider all risks to their safety on and off the road because they have less protection in an accident.
Motorcycle Riders Are Vulnerable
Motorcycle riders often suffer greater impact forces than car drivers. Riders have less body surface area than car drivers and passengers with airbags and seat belts. When they hit another vehicle or solid object, riders are vulnerable to high, direct crash forces.
Because most motorcycles lack protection like airbags or a frame like a car, experts say they cause more serious, disabling, and often fatal injuries than car crashes. The exposed bike puts its rider at risk of being thrown off and falling during a collision.
Due to their two-wheeled structure and lightweight, motorcycles react differently to collisions than cars. Motorcycles may have longer stopping distances than four-wheeled vehicles, increasing the risk of spinal cord injuries or other serious head and neck injuries.
Motorcycle crashes may also be more dangerous than car crashes due to their higher injury risk. Motorcycle collisions are especially dangerous because motorcyclists have less protection than car drivers, even with bulky protective clothing.
Unique Motorcycle Driver Challenges
Motorcyclists are more exposed and unprotected. Motorcycle riders face unique challenges in addition to higher crash risks. Motorcycles have no crumple zones to absorb crash energy, so they may suffer more damage than cars.
Wind and rain can make driving difficult for motorcycle riders. If one tire hits an unexpected surface dip or obstacle, the motorcycle’s narrow wheels can also tip over.
Car Accidents Involving Motorcycles
Motorcycles lack the bulk of cars and trucks, making motorcyclists more vulnerable in a crash. Motorcyclists are also less likely to survive a crash.
Motorcycle accidents injure differently than car accidents. Car accidents often cause lacerations, broken bones, and internal injuries. Due to their lack of protection, motorcycle accidents often cause brain trauma, spinal cord damage, and massive internal trauma. Motorcycle fatalities are even higher than other vehicle wrecks if a motorcyclist is hit head-on.
Comparing motorcycles and cars requires considering these accidents’ causes. Motorcycle collisions are more likely to be caused by driver negligence than by distractions like texting. Due to their smaller size, motorcycles are often overlooked when changing lanes or turning at intersections. Thus, when comparing motorcycle wrecks to other auto wrecks, especially safety risks, size and driver negligence must be considered.
Motorcyclists are less protected than car and truck drivers in any accident. Thus, any motorcycle crash can be much more dangerous than one involving two larger vehicles, which is why all motorists should always practice defensive driving.
Injured in an NYC Motorcycle Accident? We Can Help
Motorcycle accidents may face different causes and effects, but one thing remains the same: you need compensation for your recovery. Fortunately, the attorneys at Greenstein & Milbauer, LLP are ready to help.
We understand that a motorcycle accident can be devastating, and we’re here to help. If you’ve been hurt in a motorcycle crash and you’re ready to file a claim, reach out for a free consultation. We can be reached when you call 1-800-VICTIM2 (842-8462) or when you fill out the following online contact form.
