New Jersey motorists should be aware that motorcycle accidents can occur at any time of the year. Therefore, it is important that motorists understand how to safely share the road with motorcyclists. This is because motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable when they are involved in a crash.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, motorcyclists are 28 times more likely to lose their lives in a collision than those in a standard automobile, and they are five times more likely to suffer non-fatal injuries. From 2011 to 2015, New Jersey saw more than 12,000 accidents involving motorcyclists. In 2015 New Jersey saw 2,3000 accidents involving motorcyclists, 49 of which proved to be fatal.
There are various causes of accidents involving motorcyclists. For example, in 2016, distracted driving was a factor in 27 percent of motorcycle accidents that resulted in the death of the motorcyclist. In fact, in motorcycle accidents involving other motorists, over 66 percent took place when the other motorist failed to see the motorcyclist. In addition, speeding was a factor in 24 percent of motorcycle accidents that resulted in the death of the motorcyclist.
As this shows, motorists must practice motorcycle awareness at all times, especially when congested traffic could obstruct their view of the motorcyclist. In addition, motorists need to understand that poor road conditions could be more dangerous for motorcyclists than for drivers of standard automobiles. Thus, if there is debris on the road, railroad tracks or spills on the road, motorists should anticipate that motorcyclists may need to take evasive action.
In addition, motorists should keep a safe distance between themselves and motorcyclists. This is because a motorcyclist has a shorter stopping distance than a standard automobile. And, in the end, motorists must obey the rules of the road, especially when motorcycles are present.
In the end, even a motorcyclist who wears a helmet and protective gear and who follows all traffic laws can still be struck by an inattentive or aggressive motorist. When this happens, the motorcyclist could suffer severe head injuries, spinal cord injuries, broken bones and more. In the worst of circumstances, a motorcyclist could die after being struck by an automobile. When driver negligence is a factor in a motorcycle accident, the motorcyclist or his or her family may be able to pursue compensation from the responsible driver. Doing so may provide the victim with the financial resources needed to recover from the accident.