Motorcycle Accident Information & Motorcycle Accident Lawyers In South-dakota

Motorcycles are much less safe than other vehicles on the road. 96 percent of the riders in single motorcycle accidents and 98 percent of the riders in multi vehicle motorcycle accidents end with injuries. 45 percent of the bikers will sustain very serious injuries. There were 22 deaths related to motorcycle accidents in South Dakota in both 2005 and 2006. These fatalities made up between eleven and twelve percent of the total deaths on the road. National averages are just a little lower than that. 10.5 percent of the accidental vehicle deaths in 2005 and 11.3 percent in 2006 were riding a motorcycle.

There are as many reasons for motorcycle accidents as there are accidents. Some risks and causes are can be quantified, though. Two percent of the accidents can be directly attributed to the weather. About three percent involve some type of motorcycle failure, such as a stalled engine or flat tires. Most of these accidents are caused by poor motorcycle maintenance. Another three percent are caused by imperfections or hazards in the roadway, like potholes and animals. Alcohol use is still found in over fifty percent of motorcycle accidents.

Nearly 75 percent of motorcycle accidents also involve at least one other vehicle. These other drivers do not usually see the motorcycle and either pull out or turn in front of the biker, causing a collision. The majority of these types of accidents occur at intersections. A motorcycle is very narrow. When one is driving straight towards you, it can be very hard to see. South Dakota requires that a headlight be on at all times, night or day. This makes the biker more visible to other drivers. Modulating headlights are allowed in all fifty states. They change in intensity four times every second. This blinking effect is more likely to be noticed than a static light.

The other nearly 25 percent of the accidents only involve the motorcycle. In a lot of these situations, a novice rider will enter a corner traveling too fast. The faster a bike is traveling, the further a motorcycle has to lean to make a corner. If the driver does not lean far enough, an under steer will occur and the motorcycle may leave the roadway or enter an oncoming lane of traffic. While the under steer can be corrected and controlled, the other option in this scenario cannot. If the rider leans the bike too far, the tires may slide out. If this occurs, the rider will be dumped onto the pavement. It is likely the the rider and the bike will slide some distance, depending on the speed of the bike before the accident. If they slide into some barrier or an oncoming car, damage and injuries are going to be astronomical.

Safety helmets are recommended, but not required, for licensed riders over eighteen. Some form of eye protection is required if the motorcycle does not have some sort of windshield. Safety glasses or goggles are still recommended, however. Not only can the wind make your eyes water, there are many bugs and different kinds of road debris flying through the air. If a rider takes a long time to notice an upcoming hazard because they can’t see, it considerably shortens the amount of time they can react. It is estimated that a rider has no more than two seconds to react to avoid an upcoming hazard.

To be allowed to legally ride a motorcycle in South Dakota, you must be licensed. A motorcycle endorsement can be added to your regular, valid driver’s license. To gain your learner’s permit, you must pass a vision test and take a written knowledge test. Passing the road skills test will complete the process and allow you to acquire your endorsement. It is a good idea to see if you have any basic motorcycle courses available in your area and take one. 92 percent of all the riders involved in accidents are under trained and inexperienced. They have either taught themselves to ride, or been taught by a family member or friend.

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