Motorcycle Accident Information & Motorcycle Accident Lawyers In Hawaii

While only about two to four percent of the drivers on the road in America are motorcyclists, they make up seven to twelve percent of the total number of accidents that result in fatalities. Hawaii has a lower number of fatalities than most states, thirty in 2005 and 27 in 2006. But those fatalities made up a very high percentage of the total, a little over 21 percent in 2005 and a little under seventeen percent in 2006. Motorcycle accidents that result in fatalities in Hawaii exceed the national average.

Hawaii is a very beautiful state with many tourist attractions and scenic vistas. Along with these sights comes a lot of stunning distractions and traffic congestion. Not only do these distractions affect motorcyclists, they can also pull the attention of those operating passenger vehicles off of the road. Alcohol and other drugs also have a large effect on the number of accidents. Over half of all fatal motorcycle accidents in America in 2006 involved alcohol.

Winding roads and hilly terrain can cause problems for cyclists, especially under-experienced or under-trained riders. In about two-thirds of all single motorcycle accidents, corners are involved. Riders’ tires will slide out and the motorcyclist will fall to the pavement, usually because the driver hits the corner at an excessive rate of speed. Depending on the speed, the rider and the bike may slide, causing injury to the rider, any passengers and damage to the bike. Hitting an obstruction will cause further injury. A rider may also run wide on a curve due to under-cornering and hit something fixed in the landscape.

Motorcycles provide a lot less protection in a crash than do most other motor vehicles. Things like a roof, airbags and seat belts are conspicuously absent on motorcycles. Almost eighty percent of motorcycle accidents end in injury or fatality. That is about four times the number of automobile accidents that result in death and injury to the driver and passengers. Motorcycle accidents occur for a large number of reasons. Most, approximately three-quarters, involve another vehicle and most of those are passenger vehicles. The other one-fourth are single motorcycle accidents, with the driver hitting the road or some other obstacle.

The actual causes of motorcycle crashes are varied. Less than three percent involve vehicle failure, such as a flat tire. Road hazards, such as potholes, animals, debris in the roadway and other obstacles that an automobile would not take issue with, can cause a motorcycle to wreck. Motorcycles also present a slimmer profile to other motorists, making them harder to see. While riding with headlights on at all times helps improve visibility, as does wearing brightly colored clothing, inclement weather can still render motorcyclists nearly invisible. Almost seventy percent of all motorcycle accidents occur at or near intersections.

Laws regarding safety equipment vary from state to state. In Hawaii, you must wear goggles, safety glasses or a face shield if your motorcycle does not have a windshield. This applies to any passengers as well. A $25 fine is levied for each infraction. Most are not required to wear a helmet. All riders under 18 years of age, however, must wear a helmet at all times. Along with the fine for minors, they may be forced to find alternate transportation home. The Director of Transportation may add additional required safety gear, excluding a safety helmet.

There are many things worth seeing in Hawaii and motorcycles are welcome. Many rental agencies in Hawaii offer motorcycles and scooters to get around your island of choice. If you choose to ride a motorcycle in Hawaii, be sure to obey all road laws, watch out for road conditions and other motorists, and always drive sober. While safety helmets are optional in Hawaii, here is one last statistic to keep in mind: In 2006 it is estimated that 1,658 lives were saved due to wearing a helmet (out of 4,810). It is also estimated that another 752 lives would have been saved with helmets.

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