Motorcycle Accidents- The TRUTH about Accidents on Two Wheels
There are many different reasons that motorcycle accidents happen. Even though they happen less often than car accidents, they are still much more popular for discussion, and people tend to like to blame the motorcyclist. In most cases, though, the cause of motorcycle accidents has very little to do with the motorcycle rider, and more to do with other drivers or elements.
This needs to stop. Motorcycle accidents are a hot topic because they are more dangerous, as there is no airbag or seat belt to protect a motorcyclist in a crash. As a rider, you don’t even have the luxury of the surrounding car frame to protect you like drivers do. Many people assume that motorcycle accidents occur because motorcyclists are speed demons, but many fatalities occur at low rates of speed, and while riders ARE wearing helmets.
Its terrible that motorcyclists have such a bad reputation that they get blamed for accidents when they often aren’t at fault. When a driver fails to see a motorcycle and hits it, or is drunk or talking on a cell phone, it rarely is brought to light. Instead, the fault is automatically placed on the motorcyclist in many cases simply because they ride a bike.
People in cars have become too comfortable. They talk on the phone, they send text messages, they read the paper, put on makeup, and even eat while driving. All this leads to a lack of attention placed on the road, which makes them negligent and more likely to hit a motorcyclist because they don’t see the bike in their path.
One more instance where motorcyclists aren’t at fault for motorcycle accidents is in defect-related accidents. People might assume that the rider is to blame, even when something mechanically goes wrong, but why doesn’t anyone blame a car driver for their car malfunctioning? Even if you take really good care of your bike, you cant prevent every accident, although many ignorant people might say otherwise.
Its really unfortunate that motorcyclists have to place so much attention and care into their rides that they can hardly enjoy the experience. If other drivers aren’t going to pay attention to the road, though, someone has to do it. Its best if you just give extra attention and try to stay out of the drivers way, even though it shouldn’t be your responsibility when they’re not driving carefully. At the end of the day, it’ll be worth it when you make it home safe.
