Motorcycle fixed accidents occur when a rider hits stationary objects off the roadway. The fixed objects can be things such as traffic barriers, debris, and other solid material that may cause an accident. Motorcycle fixed-object are more common than you think. A study conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), showed that 20 percent of motorcycle accident fatalities result from fixed-object accidents.
Most survivors of motorcycle accidents do not know where to start after the accident, particularly on the financial side. That said, you should seek the services of a skilled attorney specializing in Bakersfield motorcycle accidents for smooth recovery. The attorney will review the facts of your case and help you file an injury claim against the at-fault party or authority.
Motorcycle Fixed-Object Accident Explained
Data sourced from the IIHS shows that over 39% of motorcyclist fatalities in 2019 were “single-vehicle crashes and a high number of those crashes involved hitting a stationary object on the roadway. Additionally, the IIHS reported that 42.5% of fixed-object injuries occurred at night due to low visibility. What happens if a rider runs into a stationary object? The results could be two, including:
- The motorcyclist will likely fall off their bike and be dragged along the roadway;
- The rider could hit the pavement and suffer broken limbs;
- The biker may end up with whiplash;
- Bikers could also lose control and cause an accident that may injure other road users or cause fatalities; and
- The motorbike will be damaged.
Motorcycle fixed-object accidents are mainly caused by:
- Reckless driving behavior and overspeeding;
- Distracted driving;
- Drunk driving;
- Fatigue issues;
- Bad weather conditions. The objects that mainly cause this type of collision can include trees, guardrails, traffic barriers, debris, parked vehicles, and others.
Motorcycle Fixed-Object Accident Injuries
Motorcycle accident injuries are more serious in most cases than car accident injuries. Bikes do not have an overhead cover like cars ad hence, bikers are likely to be more injured in the event of an accident. Also, the security features of motorcycles are inferior when compared to the security features of vehicles. When a car accident occurs, the chance of being thrown out of a moving car is lower. In other words, the chances of a biker being thrown off the bike are high, in the event of an accident. Common motorcycle accident injuries include:
- Traumatic brain injuries;
- Neck and back injuries;
- Spinal cord damage;
- Fractures and broken bones;
- Internal organs and soft tissue injuries.
Victims of fixed-object motorcycle accidents suffer serious injuries that impact their lives negatively, such as overwhelming medical expenses, lost wages and lost opportunities to work, and others. That said, you can receive financial compensation for your loss from whoever was responsible for removing the object that caused the accident.
Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
There are many causes of motorcycle accidents, including:
- Misjudging Errors
Most motorcycle accidents result from right of way misjudgments and research shows that 42% of motorcycle-automobile accidents occur at left-handed turns. Also, the small size of motorcycles causes visibility challenges and may be a risk factor for motorcycle accidents. For instance, most motorists tend to look out for cars and trucks and fail to notice oncoming motorcycles.
- Over Speeding
Over speeding may reduce a motorist’s reaction time to avoid an imminent accident. Also, if an accident occurs at high speed, the impact will be high––meaning the resulting damage and injuries will be severe.
- Road Hazards
Road hazards are dangerous for bikers because of the nature of a motorbike. Motorcycles are typically small in size and have two wheels. That said, any unexpected conditions may be a risk factor for a motorcycle accident.
Motorcyclists’ Protection
You can reduce the risk of serious injury following a motorcycle accident. This is possible if riders wear appropriate safety riding gear. In other words, riders can avoid serious injuries by wearing safety riding gear, such as:
- Helmet
Most states have their version of motorcycle laws but all those laws state that “all helmets should meet the standards prescribed by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration”. Those recommendations help riders choose the right motorcycle helmet. The good thing is that helmets do not interfere with the vision or hearing of a rider. Also, motorbike helmets help save thousands of lives annually.
- Clothing
Appropriate clothing for riding is typically made of leather. Such clothing is worn to reduce the impact if the biker falls down and hence, reduces the severity of motorcycle-related injuries.
- Footwear
Appropriate footwear for riding a motorbike should be non-skid and steeled at the toes to help protect the feet and ankles from injury. Although some riders argue that protective clothing is uncomfortable, the benefit of wearing protective gear far outweigh the discomfort and other inconveniences.
Fixed-object accidents can be serious and that’s why victims of such accidents should be compensated.