HOW DANGEROUS IS IT TO RIDE A MOTORCYCLE IN PHOENIX?
Arizona Motorcycle Injury Rates
For all motorcycle riders out there (I am one) a few sobering statistics. In 2003, there were 42,643 fatal motor vehicle accidents in the nation; 3,534 of those accidents were motorcycle accidents. In 2004, there were 5.8 million registered motorcycles in the country.
The death rate per 100 million person miles is forty-five for motorcycles and 1.23 for cars. The risk of injury is about the same for a person who drives a car for 15000 miles a year and a person who rides a motorcycle for about 2000 miles. In 2004, the fatality rate for motorcycle riders per number of accidents was more than eleven times higher than passenger cars. Beginners have about 80 percent of motorcycle accidents. The risk of accident is about thirty higher on the first day than on day 200.
Why Riding Motorcycles could be dangerous: Motorcycles and Evasive Actions
Counter steering is a word, and concept, that strikes fear in the minds of new and inexperienced motorcycle riders. For those who do not know what it means, it is a way of turning a motorcycle when speed is greater than 12 mph by pressing the handle bars in the direction one wants to turn. In other words, if you want to turn right, press the right handle bar forward, which is counterintuitive to bicycle riders who are used to turning by steering the handle bars in the opposite manner.
The reason some inexperienced motorcyclists crash is because even though they are drilled and practiced in the technique of counter steering, in a moment of unexpected, sudden emergency, the inexperienced rider could revert to intuition and make the wrong turn, thereby turning directly into a danger.
A rider who consciously knows how to counter steer can execute a lane change at least as quickly as a car; more quickly, in fact, since he may have to go less than half as far as a car would, and then may be able to overshoot safely. Aggressive counter steering at highway speeds causes the front tire to enter into the turn with no perceptible out-tracking.
Usually, in the case of an emergency that the rider must avoid, the safest route is to brake first and then swerve. That is because it buys time without making a commitment, then leaves the options open to continue braking, swerve or just ride on through. Of course, if the rider has locked the rear brake, any other evasive action may be impossible. If the rear brake is locked and the rear is offset from the front, there is basically no choice but to ride it out.
But There Is Something Even More Dangerous Than Riding A Motorcycle: The Most Dangerous Thing With Wheels And An Engine.
Some people, and its seems civil jurors in particular, seem to think that motorcycles are the most dangerous things around with an engine and wheels. That is not so, however. According to the American College of Surgeons, ATVs are far more dangerous than motorcycles. In a recent meeting, they reported that ATV are much more dangerous, even when ATV riders are wearing helmets. The researchers said that even when the severity of injuries was the same, the patients who had been riding ATVs were 50 percent more likely to die, and 50 percent more likely to need treatment in an intensive care unit, compared to the motorcycle riders. According to the federal government, there are about 1000 ATV fatalities every year.
Contact a Phoenix, Arizona, Motorcycle Lawyer Today
If you are seeking legal representation or would like more information about our services, contact the law offices of Vladimir Gagic today to set up your free consultation. You can reach us at 602-955-1985, toll free at 855-843-6274 (855-THE MARINE)
