Motorcycle Accident Information & Motorcycle Accident Lawyers In Nevada

There were a total of 42,642 lives claimed by vehicle accidents on American roads in 2006. 4,810 of those were riding a motorcycle. These riders made up 11.3 percent of the total. These numbers seem even higher when you consider that motorcycle operators only make up around three percent of the total drivers on the road. Motorcycle accidents in Nevada fall close to these same numbers. In 2005 there were 56 deaths which made up 13.1 percent of the total. In 2006 that number actually fell to 50 deaths or 11.6 percent. Nationally, motorcycle accidents that end in fatality have increased every year for the past nine years.

There are many different things that can contribute to an accident. About one-fourth of motorcycle accidents only involve the biker. In these single vehicle crashes, the largest contributing factor is under trained and inexperienced riders. About 92 percent of the riders in these cases are either self taught or taught to ride by family and friends. What typically occurs is a rider will enter a curve or corner going too fast. If the rider leans too far to make the corner, it is likely that the tires will slide out and dump the rider and any passengers to the ground. Depending on the speed of the bike, they all may slide out of control for some distance. It is also possible that the rider will not lean far enough and under steer the corner, sending him into oncoming traffic or out of control.

The other three-fourths of the accidents involve both the motorcycle and another vehicle, typically a passenger vehicle. Intersections are the most likely places for these incidents to occur. A motorcycle is a lot harder to see than other autos on the road. It is very easy for other drivers to miss seeing a biker. Even glare from a sign can mask a motorcycle’s approach. As a matter of fact, most drivers of the other vehicle in these accidents claim to not have seen the motorcycle. These other drivers typically end up violating a motorcycle rider’s right-of-way and a collision happens.

Motorcycles are inherently less safe than other motored vehicles on the road. Safety features such as air bags, seat belts and roll cages are not practical or realistic on two wheels. It is understandable, then, why the rate of injury is so high in motorcycle accidents. In a single vehicle motorcycle crash, there is a 96 percent chance that the rider will be hurt. In multi-vehicle crashes, there is a 98 percent chance that the rider will be damaged. 45 percent of the time, these injuries are going to be much worse than minor injuries. Most of these injuries occur to the leg area of the body, but, as these injuries move up the body, they become more dangerous. The most severe damage to riders usually happens in the chest, neck and head areas.

Motorcycle safety helmets are required by law in Nevada, as are some form of eye protection and headlights on at all times while riding. It is believed that helmets saved 1,658 lives in 2006 and that the use of helmets could have saved another 752 lives. 73 percent of the riders involved in a crash were not wearing any form of eye protection. It is believed that the wind made their eyes water, thereby hampering their vision and preventing them from seeing well enough to be able to avoid the accident. Motorcycle riders typically have less than two seconds to recognize a danger, decide what to do and take action to avoid it. Anything that decreases that time becomes a serious hazard.

In Nevada, as in all states, you must be licensed to legally ride a motorcycle. First, you must possess a valid driver’s license. You then have two options. You can go and take a written knowledge test and a road skills test. Once both of these have been passed you are eligible for your motorcycle endorsement. You may also attend a class on motorcycle riding from a third party provider that is approved by the state. The course includes classroom instruction on basic information regarding the motorcycle as well as road rules. Then motorcycles are provided for actual on-the-bike instruction. This portion of the course includes items such as starting, stopping, shifting, turning corners, accident avoidance techniques and motorcycle maintenance.

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