Motorcycles may be fun, exciting and fast – but they are also quite dangerous to ride. In fact, although only representing 3% of registered motor vehicles on the road, motorcycles account for 14% of all traffic-related fatalities. Each May, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) sponsors Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month to remind all motorists how they can help reduce preventable injuries and deaths on our nation’s roadways. To commemorate this year’s Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month, keep reading to learn some life-saving tips.
The NHTSA collected data and reports on motorcycle accidents that occurred in 2022. Here are some of the agency’s key findings:
Protective gear like helmets, thick pants, boots, gloves, jackets, and body armor are crucial for motorcyclists because their bodies are almost completely exposed to other vehicles, the road, and the elements. While most of the NHTSA’s data about crashes is concerning, there is good news: helmet use seems to be increasing among motorcyclists and their passengers. As part of this year’s campaign, the NHTSA has a safety checklist for motorcyclists to refer to before going on a ride. Here are a few examples from the agency’s list:
To read more of the NHTSA’s checklist, visit: https://www.trafficsafetymarketing.gov/safety-topics/motorcycle-safety#2761.
Motorcycle crashes regularly lead to serious injuries like whiplash, facial disfigurement, traumatic brain injuries (TBIs), organ damage, spinal injuries (including partial or complete paralysis), lacerations, internal bleeding and broken and/or amputated limbs. This is why it is so important to take precautions that help keep everyone safe. Here are some other life-saving tips from the NHTSA to promote motorcycle safety:
If you ride a motorcycle, you can observe National Motorcycle Safety Month by inspecting your vehicle, brushing up on your riding skills, and making sure all your protective gear is undamaged. Non-motorcyclists, too, should remind themselves of the steps they can take to promote roadway safety. When a person is in a motorcycle crash, their life can change in the blink of an eye. At Galfand Berger, our attorneys have decades of experience representing victims of motor vehicle crashes. If you would like to learn more about filing a claim, contact a representative online now who can assist you.
If you have questions about filing a claim for injuries you sustained, contact the Philadelphia personal injury attorneys at Galfand Berger LLP today. Call us at 800-222-USWA (8792) or fill out our online form for a free consultation. Located in Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lancaster, and Reading, we serve clients throughout New Jersey and Pennsylvania, including Allentown and Harrisburg.