motorcycle crash

Issues Related to Conspicuity in Motorcycle Crashes

November 12, 2014 | Edward Smith

It is very common to have a motorcyclist killed or injured by a collision between a car and a motorcycle. A research study has been looking at why automobile drivers fail to give priority to the motorcycle and whether or not the motorcycle is conspicuous enough. Many times the car driver says, “I looked but didn’t see the motorcycle . . .” before crashing into the motorcycle.

The study looks into whether or not drivers fail to yield for motorcycles less than they do for cars on the road. Intersection collisions were compared to car-on-car and car-on-motorcycle crashes. It was found that when the vehicle approached the motorcycle from a perpendicular angle, it saw the motorcycle and gave it priority. When an automobile makes a left turn, however, they often fail to give priority to an oncoming motorcycle. There was no difference between drivers who just had an automobile license and when automobile drivers also had a motorcycle license.

Motorcycle Crashes

January 3, 2013 | Edward Smith

When looking at motorcycle and other motor vehicle accident statistics, it’s clear that there are more accidents for motorcycles than there are for motor vehicles. The problem is that most of these accidents are due to the fault of the automobile drivers who fail to give the proper right of way to motorcycles and cause accidents.

There was a survey filled out to assess car drivers’ attitudes and assessment of motorcyclists. Drivers should there were some negative attitudes towards motor cycles in some cases and empathic attitudes in other cases. Some drivers were aware of the perceptual problems when dealing with motorcycles and many had a spatial understanding of the motorcycle on the road. Drivers who had a moderate driving experience held the most negative responses toward motorcyclists.

Unique Injuries in Motorcyclists

January 2, 2013 | Edward Smith

Motorcyclists are in a unique position as riders on the road. They ride on two wheels, which is an inherently unstable position. They ride without the benefit of any protective metal around them, which makes direct vehicle to patient contact likely. Road to victim contact is almost inevitable and these riders often suffer from significant injuries. Many motorcyclists use performance enhancing equipment, which makes the chances of severe injury or death quite likely.

One recent review study looked at the patterns of injury, particularly major ones, seen in motorcycle riders following their injuries. There are unique aspects of their care, including airway management, circulatory status and the management of the spine.

Motorcycle Accident Rates

December 26, 2012 | Edward Smith

Riding a motorcycle is inherently dangerous. Not only is it a small and easily hidden vehicle on a road with large vehicles on it, but motorcycles have no protection around the rider and a fall, even without a collision, can lead to serious injury.

The main consequence of motorcycle accidents include head injuries such as concussion or traumatic brain injury resulting in coma and death, leg fractures, particularly tibia and fibula fractures, pelvic fractures, rib fractures and internal injuries.