Noted Summer Increases in OH Motorcycle Personal Injury Accidents & Motorcycle Accident Fatalities

This summer, we have been noticing an uptick in fatal motorcycle accidents due to motor vehicle accidents involving motorcycle crashes. This is typical in Ohio as weather gets warmer and bikers return to being able to enjoy their motorcycles during the summer. As always, a large proportion of fatal Ohio traffic crashes involve motorcycles.

There are several reasons why motorcycle injuries and fatalities are common:

• Motorcycles are less visible – Due to the smaller size of motorcycles, they have been visually overlooked when negligent drivers do not take the time or pay the attention needed to spot the driver of the motorcycle.
• Motorcycles are physically smaller – Because motorcycles weigh much less than other vehicles the law of physics does not weigh on their side when involved in a motor vehicle accident with a larger vehicle.
• Motorcycles offer less protection – Motorcycles do not offer much protection in the event of a crash because they do not offer the same insulation that a car or truck would have during a motor vehicle collision.
• Helmet use – Many motorcycle fatalities involve riders who are not helmeted. Not having the protection of a helmet creates a greater degree of risk when a driver of a motorcycle faces physical peril during an injury accident.
• Ejection – It is common to get ejected from the bike during a crash without the protection that a seatbelt might offer the driver of another type of vehicle.

Despite making up only 3.6% of registered vehicles, motorcycles account for about 16 to 17% of all traffic fatalities each year in Ohio.

Common Injuries include:

• Leg injuries, including fractures
• Head injuries including traumatic brain injuries
• Chest trauma, including rib fractures
• Arm injuries, including fractures
• Abdominal injuries

Thankfully, there are some steps that drivers and motorcyclist can take to make our roads safer:

If You Are A Motorcyclist:

Get Your Motorcycle Endorsement: To operate a motorcycle on Ohio’s public roadways, you must obtain a motorcycle license or endorsement. Requirements include obtaining a temporary permit and passing a skills test or a Basic Rider Skills (BRS) course. For further information, check out motorcycle.ohio.org.

According to the Ohio Traffic Safety Office, the BRS is a 16 hour course of classroom and on-cycle instruction. To complete the course, riders must pass a skills test.

In 2021, 54% of at-fault motorcycle operators involved in crashes did not have a motorcycle endorsement on their license.

Wear Your Helmet: The single easiest thing you can do to prevent a fatal crash is to wear a properly fitted motorcycle helmet approved by the United States Department of Transportation. A properly fitted helmet should be snug. You should take into consideration the size and shape of your head. Motorcycle helmets should be replaced every 5 years or sustained an impact. Replace your helmet if you have been in a crash.

Make Yourself Visible: Use lights at night. Use turn signals to change lanes. Bright colors can help make you easiest to spot.

Practice Defensive Driving: Do not pass between vehicles. Since you are vulnerable, it is important that you drive more cautiously than other drivers on the road.

If You Are A Car Or Truck Driver:

Watch Out For Motorcyclists. Especially during the summer months, when motorcycles are on the road in greater numbers. Check your rear view and side mirrors. Look for oncoming headlights at night. Signal when turning or changing lanes. Use your lights at night to make your vehicle visible.

Hopefully, many crashes can be avoided by using these safety tips. But, if you are involved in a crash, it is important to know what to do.

What To Do Are In A Motorcycle Crash:

Get To Safety and Call 9-11: Try to call 9-1-1 or call for help from witnesses. If you are able to move, check to see that you are off of the roadway or to the side of the roadway. If you are injured, make sure that the police arrive on the scene to investigate the crash.

Take Photos: If you are able to, take out your cell phone to document the damage to your bike and any other vehicles or property involved in the crash.

Obtain Insurance Information: Get insurance information from the other parties involved in the crash. If a police report is filed, they will collect that information for you.

Seek Emergency Medical Care: 80% of motorcycle crashes result in injury. It is important to seek emergency medical care to check for life threatening or serious injuries.

Report the Claim: You will want to report the crash to your insurance company and the other driver’s insurance.

Contact An Attorney: You may want to contact a Columbus motorcycle accident attorney to discuss your rights. You may be entitled to compensation for medical expenses, lost wages, and pain and suffering from the motorcycle crash.

Contact Attorney Geoff Jones, for a free consultation regarding your motorcycle accident injury claim. There are no up front out of pocket expenses, and there is no fee unless we recover money for you. The Jones Firm will work to get the best possible result for your case.

Sources:
https://www.statepatrol.ohio.gov/statistics/statspage3.asp
https://www.statista.com/statistics/191002/number-of-registered-motorcycles-in-the-us-by-state/
https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/dl-mo-motorcycle.aspx
https://motorcycle.ohio.gov/information-for-riders/rider-courses/basic-rider-skills
https://www.motosport.com/blog/sportbike-and-motorcycle-helmet-buying-guide
https://www.nhtsa.gov/road-safety/motorcycles
https://www.nadaguides.com/Motorcycles/shopping-guides/motorcycle-vs-car-accident-statistics#:~:text=and%20car%20accidents%3A-,Motorcycle%20Accidents,car%20accidents%20remain%20around%2020%25.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3217482/
https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-motorcycle-crashes
https://www.wtol.com/article/news/local/national-motorcycle-safety-awareness-month-2022-ohio-statistics/512-db0fafad-b173-4659-9219-6318f2154690