Motorcycle Accident Information & Motorcycle Accident Lawyers In Massachusetts

Except for a few die hard riders, you can really only ride motorcycles in Massachusetts for the portion of the year that the weather permits. Yet, the statistics on motorcycle accidents in Massachusetts are on the high end compared to national numbers. In 2005 there were 56 motorcycle accidents that ended in fatalities in Massachusetts. This means that, of the total number of accidents that ended in fatalities, motorcycles were involved in 12.7 percent. The good news is that, in 2006, the number of fatalities dropped in Massachusetts to 50 deaths or 11.6 percent. Nationally, the number of fatal motorcycle crashes has increased every year for the past nine years in a row. In 2005 there were a total of 43,510 deaths that resulted from an accident involving a vehicle. Motorcycle accidents made up 4,576 of these deaths, or 10.5 percent. Total numbers dropped in 2006 to 42,642 deaths, and yet motorcycle accidents still rose to 4,810, or 11.3 percent. These numbers become startling when you find out that motorcycle riders only make up two to four percent of the total drivers on the road.

With gas prices on the rise, it is not surprising to find that more and more Americans are doing whatever they can to minimize the number of trips they take to the gas pump. One option to help decrease gas use is to begin driving a motorcycle or scooter when the weather permits. Being smaller vehicles and carrying less weight lets them get many more miles per gallon than most four-wheeled automobiles. Over half of all the riders who are involved in an accident have less than five months of experience on the bike. 92% of the riders who crash are under-trained and have typically learned to ride from family and friends. Most states, and this includes Massachusetts, allow those who wish to ride a bike to either take a road skills test or complete and pass a class to gain a motorcycle endorsement.

The whole process of gaining a motorcycle license in Massachusetts starts with a valid driver’s license. To get a motorcycle learners permit, you must go to the office of the Registry of Motor Vehicles (RMV). There you need to fill out an application, provide the proper identification and pay a $30 fee. The permit is valid for two years, but there are certain restrictions you must obey. You are not allowed to ride at night or with passengers, and the permit is not valid outside of the state of Massachusetts. Once you are ready to get the Class M endorsement added to you license, you may, as mentioned above, either take a road skills test or complete a state approved rider course. The courses include both classroom time and time on a bike. The classroom portion typically covers things like motorcycle controls, basic riding skills and street strategies. The driving portion of the class covers items such as starting, turning, shifting and crash avoidance maneuvers.

There are many different reasons that motorcycle accidents occur. Over fifty percent of accidents involve an impaired drive who had just used alcohol or some other drug prior to riding. About one-fourth of the accidents involve only the motorcycle. Most typically a rider will enter a corner at too high a rate of speed and either slide out and fall or under-steer and leave the roadway. Either option can throw the rider into oncoming traffic or any fixed barrier in their surroundings. The other three-fourths of the accidents involve another vehicle of some sort. Traffic intersections are the most common place for these types of accidents to occur. Most of the drivers of the other vehicles claim not to have seen the driver or bike. While having a headlight on at all times and wearing brighter clothing can help make a rider more visible, most automobile drivers are not on the lookout for a two-wheeled vehicle. Any distraction to the driver can pull enough of their attention away from the road that they completely miss seeing the motorcycle, even where they would have easily seen an oncoming car. A motorcycle rider’s attention must always be on both the road ahead and the other vehicles around.

Safety helmets are a requirement for all motorcycle operators and passengers in the state of Massachusetts. Not all states require helmets be worn at all times. It is estimated that helmets were responsible for saving 1,658 lives in 2006. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) further estimates that another 752 lives could have been spared with the use of head gear. The most severe injuries in a motorcycle accident occur to the chest, neck and head.

Thank you for choosing Lawcore.com!

Lawcore.com Home | Contact Lawcore.com | Advertise Your Firm | Terms & Conditions Of Use / Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2004 - 2008 Lawcore.com, Inc (As Licensee). All Rights Reserved.