Motorcycle Accident Information & Motorcycle Accident Lawyers In Oregon

Many good motorcycle riders have met their demise as a result of a motorcycle accident. Many more not-so-good riders have too. Bikers who are involved in a single vehicle accident have a 96 percent chance of being injured. If the accident involves another vehicle, which three out of every four do, the rider has a 98 percent chance of sustaining injuries. 45 percent of all of these riders will sustain very serious injuries. There were 4,810 people killed as a result of a motorcycle accident in 2006 on the nation’s roads. 44 of these occurred in Oregon. These 44 made up 9.9 percent of all of the fatal accidents in Oregon. For the past nine years, the number of motorcycle accidents has been on the rise.

As stated above, three out of every four motorcycle accidents involve another vehicle. In most cases a passenger vehicle at an intersection will violate a biker’s right-of-way. A lot of the drivers of the automobiles say they did not see the motorcycle. Because motorcycles are very narrow from a head on view, they can be very hard to see. Anything that pulls the auto driver’s mind or eyes from the road is a potential hazard to motorcycle riders. Louder engines and headlights help increase a motorcycle’s visibility, but a rider must closely watch what other drivers are doing and drive defensively.

92 percent of riders involved in an accident have no formal training and not much experience. Most of the other 25 percent of the accidents are single vehicle accidents, and most of these happen because of inexperienced riders. While speed can be fun, it is not a friend to motorcyclists. You do not turn a motorcycle by turning the front wheel, at least in most cases. The bike must be leaned in to a corner. The faster the bike is going, the further you have to lean. If you are going to fast, it is possible to under steer the curve, or try to turn too sharply and have the wheels fly out from under the bike. In either case, a rider is likely to lose control of the vehicle and cause all sorts of problems and damage.

Laws governing the use of safety helmets vary from state to state. In Oregon all riders are required to wear a safety helmet at all times, as are passengers. It is estimated that wearing a safety helmet may have saved 752 lives in 2006. A white colored headlight must also be on at all times a motorcycle is on the road. Modulating headlights are allowed in all states. These headlights change brightness four times every second. It is believed that these lights attract more attention than static headlights. Eye protection is not required for riders, but is highly recommended.

To help further reduce the number of motorcycle accidents in Oregon, the state requires you to hold a special endorsement to legally ride a motorcycle on the roads. The youngest age you can receive an endorsement is sixteen and special rules apply to all those under the age of 21. To get your endorsement, you must first have a valid driver’s license and be able to pass a vision test. You then need to pass a written test and get your learner’s permit. The permit is valid for one year and only allows you to ride during the day and requires you to have a licensed rider over 21 with you at all times. The supervising rider should not be a passenger on your bike. Once you feel comfortable on your motorcycle, you may schedule a time to take your road skills test. Once you have passed the test, you can get your endorsement. Those who are under 21 must take a basic rider skills course, which teaches things such as road rules, braking, turning, crash avoidance and maneuverability. Those who are over 21 may also take this course. If you present a completion card at the time you apply for your final endorsement, your required road skills test will be waived.

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