Is it true that motorcycle accidents are more likely than car accidents to be fatal? Yes – mainly because motorcycles offer very little protection. That said, there are many other things people believe about motorcycles that are not true at all. Keep reading to learn about four such myths and the truth behind them. If you need a free legal consultation after an accident, contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707.
- Myth: Helmets Do Not Save Lives You may have heard someone say that they do not use helmets because they do not help much. Some people believe that wearing a helmet may lessen the chance of death, but will just leave the wearer with a permanent brain injury that they consider worse than death. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, an average of 2,000 people’s lives are saved each year by using helmets. The stats show that wearing a helmet lowers the chance of death by 37% and reduces the chance of head injury by 70%. They are vital in keeping riders alive and in reducing the severity of injuries.
- Myth: Louder Motorcycles Are Safer Another common misconception is that the louder a motorcycle’s exhaust pipe is, the safer the driver will be. The myth is that this noise will alert other drivers to the fact that there is a motorcycle around. This may make sense on the surface, but there are flaws. First, remember that the sound from the exhaust goes backward, so it does not alert drivers in front of you or next to. Second, drivers of vehicles often have the music on, are listening to a podcast, are talking to passengers, or are otherwise not able to hear a motorcycle around them. A louder motorcycle does not prevent accidents.
- Myth: It is Safer to Ride a Motorcycle in City Streets than on Highways This is an especially commonly believed myth amongst newer riders who feel uncomfortable riding on highways. They believe that highways are more dangerous, when the opposite is true. Think about all the frequent stops, turns, and interactions a motorcycle rider has with oncoming traffic on a city street. Highways are generally safer due to the wider lanes, traffic moving in only one direction, and the consistent traffic flow.
- Myth: Drivers Always See You It does not matter how safe you are, it is likely that some drivers are not going to see you. They are not used to looking for motorcycles. They are only keeping an eye on the distance and height they can expect to see cars at. This requires you to drive defensively, to keep a safe distance from others, and to wear reflective clothing to increase the chances that you will be seen.
If you have questions after suffering an injury in a motorcycle accident, contact Law Offices of Fernando D. Vargas at 909-982-0707 for a free legal consultation.
