Denver is a city known for its thriving motorcycle-riding culture, thanks to its picturesque landscapes, scenic highways, and winding roads. Based on a report by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, in 2021, there were 8.6 million registered motorcycles in the US.
Motorcycles are, without a doubt, enjoyable. However, the number of injuries it registers is becoming a concern among riders. The Colorado Department of Transportation reports that the fatality rate in motorcycle accidents is high. If you are a victim of a motorcycle accident, you should consider speaking to motorcycle accident lawyers in Denver to learn about your legal options and rights.
This post delves into interesting facts about motorcycle accidents that are worth knowing. With adequate education about these facts and concerns, accidents can be significantly reduced.
Many motorcycle accidents happen in cities
Motorcyclists from all over the world love to flock to Denver for a magical and thrilling motorcycle-riding experience. As a result, these roads are often crowded. It is no wonder that the majority of motorcycle-involved accidents can be traced to their urban roads.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 60 percent of accidents involving motorcycles happen on urban roads and within city limits. As such, traveling these roads requires extra precautions from both motorists and motorcyclists when driving.
Safety gear is crucial
Motorcyclists must have their safety gear on whenever they ride. These gears go a long way toward significantly reducing fatalities or the severity of injuries during an accident. The majority of motorcyclists who die in motorcycle accidents are those without their safety gear on. Safety gear such as helmets can help prevent nasty injuries such as broken bones and irreparable scrape injuries.
Motorcycle accidents are hazardous
The severity of motorcycle accidents exceeds that of other forms of road accidents. During collisions (especially at high speeds), the people on the motorcycles don’t have a metal barrier to protect their bodies or brace their falls. As a result, they often get thrown away. This increases the chances of a major injury occurring. The higher the speed or larger the vehicle or object it collides with, the higher the severity of the accident. It even gets worse when the motorcyclists are driving without safety gear on.
Short trips are the most dangerous
Studies have shown that the shorter the trips, the higher the chances of being involved in an accident. The general explanation for these statistics is that drivers tend to be less cautious when on familiar roads and on short drives.
During short drives, drivers usually take driving precautions for granted. They often become less cautious. For instance, they fail to wear their seatbelts, multitask while driving, exceed speed limits, or drive under the influence. This is a behavior that should be corrected.
DUI is a major cause of motorcycle accidents
Substance abuse, especially alcohol, is prevalent when investigating the influencing factors behind motorcycle accidents. These substances impact one’s ability to appropriately avoid driving hazards. It increases the chances of being involved in an accident while driving. It also increases the severity of injury during an accident. This is why, under most laws, drunk driving is often discouraged and prohibited.
Motorcycle accidents and fatalities are on the rise
Accidents involving motorcycles have reached an all-time high in Denver. According to a recent report from the NHTSA, motorcycle fatalities occur more frequently when compared to other types of vehicle fatalities.
These numbers will keep on rising until the people behind the wheel begin to adhere to safety rules and precautions. As simple as wearing a helmet is, it makes a difference in the severity of an accident.
Motorcyclists are 29 times more likely to die in an Accident
More than just the fact that motorcycle-related accidents are deadlier, the NHTSA reports that the fatality rate is 29 times higher than other vehicle accidents. A simple explanation for this is that motorcycles don’t have the type of safety features other vehicles have. As a result, the motorists will absorb most of the forces released in any collision with their bodies.
