(c) 2008 Katie Kelley

Although scooters are flying off the shelves at most dealer locations because of increasing gas prices, and the appeal of the motorcycle is no longer for the urban cowboy, but rather for the everyman — the dangers of accidents associated with these forms of transportation are often overlooked even as they increase.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that there are approximately 6.6 million registered motorcycles, not including scooters, in the United States. The NHTSA also reported that nearly 2,500 motorcyclists die in traffic accidents each year, and while this number was previously decreasing from 1990 to 1997, it has increased at least 40 percent steadily since 1997.

Scooter and Motorcycle Popularity Parallels Dangers

According to a news article from the Dallas Morning News on July 2, scooter sales had increased 24 percent in the first half of 2008. Additionally, the Motorcycle Industry Council, noted that Vespa saw a nearly 40 percent increase in sales while Yamaha reported a 65 percent increase over a one-year period.

A Consumer Reports article from June 2008 also discussed the popularity of motorcycles and scooters, which have increased tenfold. The article detailed sales of motorcycles, which have increased to approximately $1.2 million in 2006 alone — a record unseen before. However, in that same year, it was reported that motorcycle fatalities accounted for more than 10 percent of all motor vehicle crash deaths.

However, motorcycle accidents are up approximately 127 percent since 1997 and the NHTSA reported that a motorcyclist is approximately 34 times more likely to die in a crash than someone in a passenger car. Additionally it has been reported that:

* In 2006, motorcyclist fatalities nearly doubled killing 4,810.

* According to the Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) motorcylce deaths are on the rise whereas vehicle/automotive deaths have declined.

* Approximately 88,000 motorcycle riders were injured in 2006, according to the NHTSA.

* Supersport bikes (also nicknamed rocket bikes or crotch rockets) have fatality rates that are four times greater than other motorcycle riders.
* These supersport bikes made up only 10 percent of registered motorcycles in 2005, but were responsible for 25 percent of motorcycle fatalities in that year.

* Wearing a helmet can reduced crash fatalities among riders by nearly 37 percent, according to NHTSA.

Scooter and Motorcycle Accident Costs

While many individuals are moving toward scooters and motorcycles to save money on the costs of gasoline, often, individuals overlook that scooter and motorcycle accidents can be extremely costly particularly among those not wearing helmets and involved in a scooter or motorcycle crash.

According to analysts from the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, working under contract for the NHTSA, who studied the results of 25 motorcycle studies conducted during the last few decades, the costs for motorcycle injuries can be priced for non-helmet riders from $7,200 upward to $30,400 in hospital-admitted and fatal accidents; whereas helmet wearers paid less after a crash costing anywhere from $3,000 to $17,400 in accident and hospital-related costs.

The study also reported that riders afflicted with a head injury will likely pay an average of $43,214 for trauma-center admittance and an average of $22,491 for hospital-admittance, while no head injury motorcycle or scooter riders involved in an paid an average of $15,528 for trauma-center admittance and an average of $11,430 for hospital-admission injuries.

Safety Tips for Better Driving

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) offers educational programs and classes for those seeking to own and operate a scooter or motorcycle. Among the USDOT?recommendations are the following for the increasing number of motorcyclists and scooters drivers:

* Watch for the “no-zones” - often the blind spots of trucks as well as cars. * Wear USDOT approved helmets at all times.

* Riders must always drive defensively, but still with caution.

* Never ride between lanes in traffic or share a lane with another vehicle.

* Ensure a motorcycle or scooter is updated on maintenance routinely.

* It is imperative that all riders wear jackets, boots, gloves at all times; leather is also known to decrease the risk of rider’s burn.

* Be aware of speeds and maintain speed limits; accidents have been known to occur because riders were speeding and collided with slower moving vehicles such as buses or trucks.

* Be prepared for bad weather as well as night riding, which increases the risk of an accident.

Seeking Accident and Injury Assistance after a Crash

Individuals who have been involved in a motorcycle or scooter crash should seek the assistance of an experienced accident attorney who can offer assistance as well as legal consultation regarding a wreck or injury. Because accidents among motorcyclists and scooter riders quite frequently are not their fault and can often occur because the driver of another vehicle didn?see the motorcycle or scooter, it may be wise to begin building a scooter or motorcycle crash case or lawsuit.

Because of the costly bills associated with motorcycle or scooter accident, an individual may want to discuss an accident lawsuit with an experienced law firm.

A lot of commuters in Florida prefer motorcycle over any other vehicles. Motorcycles are cheaper than cars and maintenance cost is also lower. Being a light weight vehicle it helps people reach their destination faster.

Many find motorcycle riding to be very sporty and exciting. Top of all one cannot ignore the fuel efficiency of motorcycles. With increased fuel price, vehicles that offer extra mileage are becoming more popular these days. Hence, motorcycles are gaining more popularity all over the world.

But motorcycle riding is risky. Motorcycles are not as safe as a four wheeler; hence chances of accident are higher.

According to the reports published in FARS Encyclopedia of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 4,810 people were injured in motorcycle accident in 2006. The figure is frightening! Besides, there are the pedestrians who were injured in motorcycle accidents. Hence, the total number of motorcycle accident victims is likely to be higher.
Hence, the risks of motorcycle riding should always be considered while purchasing motorcycles or using it for commuting. The truth about motorcycles is they are very much prone to accidents, collisions and crashes and motorists may suffer extreme personal injury. Severe motorcycle accidents can even result in fatality.

Motorcycle accident can occur anywhere. If it happens in Florida, consult accident attorney Florida and if it happens in New York, find a personal injury lawyer in NY.

If the injured motorcycle rider believes that he was not guilty and the accident occurred due to someone else’s recklessness, the person can claim compensation for all the damages he has suffered. Here the opponent can be a car driver, another motorist, a truck driver or the local authority that was ignorant about the condition of the road and failed to ensure safety of passengers.

Victims of motorcycle accidents seek compensation for following damages:

* Medical expenses which include the cost of treatment and rehabilitation

* Suffering and pain

* Metal stress

* Loss of wages

* Property damage which include the cost of repairing the motorcycle

* Compromised lifestyle; if the accident brings in permanent disability then the victim is put into a compromised lifestyle which is very frustrating

* Any other losses resulted from the accident

To get all the above mentioned damages and expenses compensated, the victims need to prove their innocence and someone else’s fault before the judge and juries. That’s the way law works in all countries. For this, a lawyer can be of immense help. Senior attorneys, with their years of experience, can guide the victims during their legal battle and help them receive the right compensation they deserve.

While hiring a lawyer one should consider following things:

The place lawyers operate from: It is recommended to work with a lawyer of your own state. If the accident took place in your city, work with a city lawyer. If the accident took place in any part of Florida, consider Florida lawyers to represent your case. Local lawyers have better insight of state laws and can help you immensely win the case.

A specialized lawyer is more helpful than ‘just any’: Look for a lawyer who is specialized in the area of personal injury you are suffering from. For example, if you are going to file compensation claim for motorcycle accident or automobile accident, consult a car crash attorney of your state. Floridians can consult accident attorney Florida to know their rights.

Motorcyclists are always evaluating the use of motorcycle helmets. Is this simply a matter of preference or are there significant issues to be considered?

A friend of mine (Bill) has chosen to ride with a helmet, or at times without a helmet. He says it depends upon riding conditions for him.

One day he was on a two lane road, traveling about 50mph when a tractor trailer truck pulled out from the right side of the street to go the same direction. His thought was to maintain his speed and simply pass the truck. Which, most likely could be done. Unfortunately the truck driver did not have enough room for the turn, and stopped dead still, crossing both lanes.

Bill was now approaching the truck too fast and too close to stop safely. He tried breaking hard but immediately knew he was facing the side of the trailer head-on. With quick thinking he laid his Harley on the side and slid under the trailer and on down the road a couple hundred feet.

Relaying his story to me, he was flat on his back, feet first, with his arms spread out and his head bopping on the highway. When all was finished he gave credit to God for helping him and praised his destroyed helmet for saving his life. Plus, the leather jacket and gloves that had taken the tears in place of him.

My friend only suffered from some sore muscles and hurt pride. But, it brings up the subject of helmet safety.

In the KSL-TV News of South Jordan, the Police Chief ,Dan Pearson, is likewise teaching people that motorcycle helmets save lives, after losing three friends to motorcycle accidents in two years. All three suffered from head injuries and none were wearing motorcycle helmets.

Then, the police chief himself was involved in an accident on highway 89 North of Afton, Wyoming.

A truck towing a horse trailer had passed him and pulled in front of him, hitting the front of his motorcycle with the spare tire mounted on the back. Dan was thrown off his bike, landing headfirst. He says, This injury would have been a fatal blow if I had not had the helmet on. Dan suffered from bruises and a few broken bones.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that motorcyclists survive a crash and receive less serious injuries when wearing a helmet. They report that at least 600 people are saved each year.

One question that is asked, motorcycle helmets might protect your brain but can it increase your chances of a broken neck?

Dr. Michael Yorgason, a surgeon at Montana Orthopedics and Sport Medicine, states that the findings from medical literature shows: autopsy studies done after fatal motorcycle accidents have shown that neck injuries and fractures are equally likely, whether you are wearing a helmet or not.

Yet, most medical reports support the use of motorcycle helmets. They believe that the helmet generally decreases the risk of head and brain injury significantly and surmise that wearing them does not increase your risk of neck injury.

An Italian study concluded that a helmet decreased injury by 66%.

A Thailand study found that after making motorcycle helmets mandatory, head injuries decreased by 41% in 2 years.

Now, in Kentucky, a study revealed that brain injury increased by 4.3 times when not wearing a helmet.

In an article written by Jonathan P. Goldstein, PhD. titled The Effects of Motorcycle Helmet Use on the Probability of Fatality and the Severity of Head and Neck Injuries. He concludes that there are a number of variables in a study that puts the study in question.

Major differences are held concerning helmet use or non-helmet use. Normal results compare death and injury rates are two and three times greater for non-helmet riders and increases in occurrence rates in repeal years that vary from 19% to 63%.

On one side: the helmet verses the non-helmet study fails to consider these two classes of riders. Stating that helmet riders are more cautious by nature.

One, they drive slower, thus have slower speeds in crash situations.

Two, they are less likely to have an accident.

Three, helmet wearers are less likely to drink and drive (alcohol or use of drugs). These behavior changes dramatically reduce a riders risk.

On-the-other-hand, factors to consider are:

1-average age of the biker

2-average miles driven each year, per biker

3-average experience of the biker 4-the size of the motorcycle driven.

So, between the size of the bike, potential speed, age, risk taking and alcohol ingestion; simply, cannot realistically prove the effectiveness of helmet use.

The Goldstein study did approach these variables in question. They reported a study that evaluates the effectiveness of motorcycle helmets in accident situations. The conclusions are:

1-Motorcycle helmets have no statistically significant effect on the probability of fatality.

2-Helmets reduce the severity of head injuries.

3-Past a critical impact speed of 13 mph, helmets increased the severity of neck injuries.

The report then concluded that helmet users face a trade-off between reductions in the severity of head injuries and increases in the severity of neck injuries.

Under these circumstances a mandatory helmet use law cannot be reasoned to be an effective method to stop an individuals death or injury when involved in an accident.

Perhaps other choices need to be considered in providing safety in motorcycle use. Here are three suggestions.

One, educate the general driving public (car and truck drivers) in road use with motorcycles.

Two, educate inexperienced motorcyclists on accident avoidance (evasive action) and the proper use of these powerful machines.

Three, create a strict enforcement of drunk driving laws. [Some studies show that alcohol consumption is the major factor in deaths and injury.]

Harley-Davidson offers basic and advanced training to 200+ dealerships in 30 states. Honda has four training centers. BMW is considering advanced training but says they tend to attract seasoned riders.

It is believed that training cuts panic. You need to know how to negotiate a curve and resist the urge to brake, etc.

Here are some other factors that need to be considered. Tires should be inflated to the proper level.

A riders visibility to be seen. Tests have shown that the plain white motorcycle helmets are the easiest to be seen. Clothing makes a difference between day/night.

US DOT findings discovered that following the Helmet Law Repeal in Texas and Arkansas from Aug/Sept of 1997 to May 1998, helmet use dropped to 52% in Arkansas and to 66% in Texas.

In Arkansas motorcycle fatalities rose 21% following the repeal and head injuries increased 18.5%. Texas fatalities rose 31%.

One court case in California disputed what standards were set for qualifying a helmet as safe. For a list of the US Government Compliance Testing of Motorcycle Helmets you can check to see if your helmet passed or failed. Check with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

When I am on my motorcycle, I know what I am doing. I do not know what the other driver is doing. So, with the many facets of helmet use and considering the pro/cons, I choose to wear a helmet. You will have to decide for yourself!

Over the past few years Motorcycle Accidents have increased rapidly which is scary as the statistics of serious injuries and death is also continues to rise. 75% of all motorcycle accidents are the result of a collision with another vehicle may it be a car, another bike, bus and or a lorry. 65% of these accidents are because the driver of the other vehicle didn’t see the motorcyclist which usually happens at night-time which is when motorcyclists are at their most vulnerable.

Other accidents that involve motorcyclists include motorcyclists negotiating road curves at high speeds and under-cornering, motorcyclists failing to see objects in the road, riding under the influence of drugs or alcohol and also not looking after your bike - bad maintenance including having a flat tyre which can make a motorcyclist collide with another vehicle.

The most likely motorcyclist to have an accident is a male biker between the ages of 16-24 and also 50% of these accidents are with riders who have less than 5 months experience and this does include scooters. Bad weather only accounts for 2% of motorcycle accidents which is quite surprising.

If you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident and you’ve had a scary experience maybe a car hit you, not only is it yourself that may have injuries but your bike, helmet. The motorcyclist usually gets most of their injuries from when they leave their bike and hit the ground. Your injuries may just be scratches and bruising if so you’ve got off lucky other injuries may include broken bones, internal injuries and you may have to stay in hospital for a while and then recoup at home. Make a list of all the damaged items in your accident so you have a clear record of these take pictures too if you can.

If the accident wasn’t your fault and you have suffered injuries from this accident you have a legal and civil right to make a compensation claim. Your compensation will depend on the injuries you have received as well as compensation for loss of earnings if you haven’t been able to go to work as well as medical bills you’ve paid for due to your injuries. The damages to your helmet and bike and any other clothing etc will also be reimbursed.

If you make a compensation claim on the agreement of No Win No Fee it’s a way for people who can’t or don’t want to pay the legal expenses involved in making a compensation claim against another party. The solicitor will only be paid once the claim is won, they don’t take any of your compensation claim they will get their fees from the losing parties insurance company.

If you’ve been in a motorcycle accident that wasn’t your fault, don’t suffer in silence make a compensation claim today!

For many riding a motorcycle is a spectacular and thrilling experience. For other’s it is just a great way to travel. For other’s it may be the best way to save money on commuting. Part of the thrill in riding a motorcycle is the fact that there are risks. Experiencing a motorcycle accident compared to a car accident is completely different. A low impact car accident is not likely to result in injuries, but a motorcycle accident can result in serious injuries even in low speed accidents. With a car the body is protected by the car and the seatbelt. In a motorcycle accident the only protection is the helmet. When you get thrown off a motorcycle your actual body gets hurled across the road and sometimes into the path of other road vehicles. It is not surprising that a motorcyclist is 45 times more likely to be killed in a road accident than a car driver.

The are several reasons why motorcycle accidents occur including poor visibility, slippery roads, bad weather, speeding, and driving under the influence of alcohol or a controlled substance. Sometimes it is poor road maintenance and most often it is carelessness of the part of other drivers or the motorcycle driver. Careless operators that do not fail to see the motorcycle is probably one of the primary reasons.

The injuries in motorcycle accidents often involve a head injury and those killed as a result of a motorcycle accident more likely than not died as result of a severe head injury.

If you are involved in a motorcycle accident you should always ensure the police attend the scene to make a detailed report of the accident and if you feel no pain or injury at the time of the accident, be sure you state that you are not sure if you are injured as it often takes several hours to realize you have suffered an injury. In many jurisdictions no police report will be prepared unless there is an injury. This report will be needed to make a claim for compensation and if you report that there was no injury, it may be that no officer will go take a report. You should also detailed how the accident occurred and what parts of your body hit the ground or the vehicle while your memory is fresh.

Once you are well enough to talk or write about the accident you should do so, but with an attorney. Do not communicate with an insurance company until you have spoken with a personal injury attorney. Insurance adjusters are in the business of protecting the insurance company and keep as much money as possible.

The type of information you need before speaking with an attorney is as follows:

A police report

A list of witnesses

A list of all property damaged including the motorbike and any clothing

Medical records including bills

Days missed from work as a result of your inability to work and the amount of wages lost

Detailed list of your injuries

Many persons refrain from making a claim because they believe it is a long and difficult process, but hit is a misconception. Filing a claim is very easy and often costs nothing. All it takes is one phone call and a little paper work. Your personal injury attorney takes care of everything for you.

A claim for compensation is intended to put you back to where you should have been, contrary to popular belief it is not the lottery. You should therefore feel comfortable making such a claim as you will not be better off as a result of it, you will just be back to where you should have been.