Motorcycle Accident Information & Motorcycle Accident Lawyers In Pennsylvania

There are a large number of motorcycle accidents in Pennsylvania. In 2005 there were 205 deaths that resulted from an accident on a bike. In 2006 there were 188 fatalities. Compared to national statistics, these numbers are high. The 205 deaths made up 12.7 percent of all the deaths in vehicle accidents in Pennsylvania in 2005, while 10.5 percent of the total deaths in the nation were related to motorcycle accidents. In 2006 the percentages were 12.3 in PA and 11.3 in America. On a positive note, motorcycle accidents went down in Pennsylvania between 2005 and 2006, while national numbers have continued a steady rise for the past nine years.

As of September 4, 2003, helmets are optional, with a few exceptions, for riders in Pennsylvania. The exceptions are a rider who is less than 21 years of age and a rider who has been riding for less than two years and did not take a rider’s safety course. All others may make the choice to wear a helmet independent of any laws. Eye protection, however is required for all riders at all times. It is also required that a headlight be on at all times when riding, even in the daylight. The one exception to this is related to bikes built before 1973. Even on these bikes, it is a good idea to have the headlight on if it is available.

Most of the laws governing motorcycles are in place to help prevent accidents and lower injuries sustained in those accidents that do occur. For instance, it is believed that 752 more lives could have been saved in 2006 with the use of a safety helmet. 73 percent of the riders involved in an accident were not wearing any sort of eye protection. The high wind generated at any speed can cause eyes to water. This may impede the driver’s vision and cause them to see a potential hazard until it is too late. A biker only has an average of two second to recognize a hazard, decide how to avoid it and then put the avoidance plan into action. Any circumstance that lowers the amount of time a rider has to react can be significant.

The phrase ‘speed kills’ is especially true for motorcycle riders. The number and severity of injuries received in a motorcycle accident are increased exponentially with the speed of the bike before the crash. One out of four accidents occurs to a single motorcycle and can be blamed on under training and inexperience. It has been calculated that 92 percent of the riders involved in a wreck have no formal training, but have been either trained by family or friends or self taught. A lot of these accidents can also be attributed to speed. If a rider enters a curve or corner going to fast, there are a number of things that can happen. I rider, even one with little experience, may be able to keep the bike on the road and on both tires. The majority, though, end up on their sides or off of the road completely. Again, the higher the speed, the more likely it is that a rider and any passengers will be hurt. 96 percent of riders involved in this type of crash are injured.

The rest of the accidents, a significant number of which occur at intersections, involve another vehicle and sometimes multiple vehicles. In this other 75 percent of the accidents an automobile driver has pulled out or turned in front of an oncoming motorcycle. Most of the drivers of the autos claim not to have seen the bike coming towards them. Motorcycles are much smaller than most other motored vehicles. Any number of distractions to other drivers, and to motorcyclists themselves, can cause havoc. 98 percent of the riders caught in theses situations are hurt seriously. 45 percent of all riders in an accident are highly likely to sustain heavy and serious injuries.

To help protect bikers from themselves and everyone else on the road, all states provide some form of motorcycle licensing. In Pennsylvania you need to acquire an endorsement on your regular driver’s license. To do this, you must first complete a vision test and pass a written knowledge test. You then receive a permit that allows you to ride your bike with some restrictions. When you feel you are ready, you can take and pass a road skills test to remove the restrictions and gain your final endorsement. You may also attend and pass a state approved basic rider skills course to waive the road skills testing requirement.

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