In 2008, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) completed a study that examined the rate and type of motorcycle accidents and the sorts of injuries that resulted, during the years between 1999 and 2008. The CDC found that, while motor vehicle accidents decreased during the first decade of the 21st century, the number of serious motorcycle accidents increased.
Several statistics caught the CDC’s attention and fueled the push for greater motorcycle safety. These numbers include:
- Between 1999 and 2008, more than 34,000 motorcyclists lost their lives on U.S. roads. Another 1,222,000 riders were treated for injuries suffered in motorcycle accidents.
- The death rate for motorcycle riders increased 55 percent during this time, from 1.12 riders per 100,000 to 1.74 riders per 100,000.
- Over half of all non-fatal motorcycle accident injuries were inflicted on a rider’s head or leg.
In the face of these facts, the CDC recommends several safety measures that motorcycle riders can use to reduce their risk of severe injury or death in an accident. First, the CDC recommends that all riders wear helmets, whether or not state law requires it. The CDC also recommends wearing protective clothing that includes reflective stripes or patches, equipping a motorcycle with lights so other motorists can see it, and riding with care when the road is wet or covered in gravel.
Most motorcyclists in New Hampshire take great care to avoid injuries or accidents while riding, but they cannot prevent other motorists from causing accidents. If you’ve been injured in a motorcycle accident, an experienced New Hampshire motorcycle accident lawyer at Tenn And Tenn, P.A. can help. For a free and confidential telephone consultation, call us today at (888) 332-5855.