Motorcycle Accident Information & Motorcycle Accident Lawyers In Rhode-island

When you compare the number of motorcycle accidents that end in fatalities in Rhode Island with the national numbers, you find that Rhode Island is a little high. While there were only 14 deaths in 2005, that still accounted for 16.1 percent of all of the deaths that occurred on the roads. The national percentage for the same year was 10.5. In 2006 there were 16 fatalities, or 19.8 percent of the total, versus 11.3 percent in America. Laws vary from state to state in regards to riding a motorcycle. Most of these follow a common thread and are aimed at reducing the number of accidents and the amount of injuries sustained.

With a few exceptions, riders are allowed to choose whether they wish to wear a helmet or not. Riders under the age of 21 and those who have had their license for a short amount of time must wear a helmet, and so must all passengers. Eye protection must be worn by everyone sitting in the saddle of a moving bike as well. Around 73 percent of the riders involved in an accident were not wearing any form of safety glasses or goggles. The amount of wind when riding a bike can be exceptional. The eyes may begin to water very easily and obstruct vision. When you realize the number of bugs and the amount of other debris flying through the air, it makes sense that some type of eye protection is an absolute necessity.

Motorcycles are very unsafe. In 96 percent of the accidents that involve only the motorcycle, the rider is going to be hurt. In 98 percent of the multi-vehicle accidents, the rider is going to sustain some type of injury. 45 percent of all riders involved in any accident are going to sustain very severe and serious injuries. The most damaging injuries typically occur in the chest neck and head area. It is estimated by the NHTSA that 752 lives may have been saved in 2006 if the riders had been wearing helmets. 1,658 lives were saved by helmets.

When you wish to become licensed to ride in Rhode Island, you must meet several requirements. You must first have a valid driver’s license. All riders must then take a motorcycle safety course approved by the state. Once the class has been completed, a temporary license is issued. If you go thirty days without receiving a ticket, you may then receive your final and full endorsement.

There are a number of factors that can be found in motorcycle accidents. About two percent of all motorcycle accidents can be directly attributed to the weather. Animals in the roadway, potholes and other road related hazards account for three percent. Another three percent are caused by some type of vehicle malfunction, usually related to improper motorcycle maintenance. Fifty percent of all motorcycle wrecks involve alcohol use by the rider. Incidentally, the severity of injuries in an accident goes up exponentially with the use of alcohol and the speed of the bike.

One out of every four motorcycle accidents involves the motorcycle only. In a majority of the cases, a rider tries to navigate a corner or curve traveling at too great a rate of speed. Another vehicle of some type, more often than not a passenger automobile, is involved in the other three out of four accidents. Usually occurring at an intersection, the driver of the other vehicle does not see an oncoming rider and violates the right-of-way of the bike. 92 percent of all the riders that are involved in an accident have no formal training. In most cases they have either taught themselves to ride, or been taught by friends and family. It has been proven that training does reduce the number of accidents and the severity and number of injuries sustained.

One factor that is believed to be present in most motorcycle accidents is lack of attention by the rider, the prevalence of this factor is hard to calculate, however. Pennsylvania is a beautiful state in which to ride and provides many wonderful vistas and quiet, winding roads. Any distraction presented to the rider can cause them to miss avoiding an accident. It is believed that a rider has less than two seconds to avoid a wreck. They must be able to identify an obstacle, decide how to avoid it and then implement the plan. Two seconds is often not enough time to accomplish all this. If the rider is distracted and sees an obstacle too late, there may be no way to avoid it.

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