(Photo : How Do Car Accidents Compare To Motorcycle Accidents?)

Any kind of road accident is regrettable. Unfortunately, every day multiple vehicles and motorcycles are involved in accidents. Some accidents result in minimal body injuries, while others are serious and lead to death. 

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), in 2017, 5,172 motorcyclists died in motorcycle accidents, while in 2018, there were 36,560 deaths caused by car accidents in the US.

When comparing a car and a motorcycle accident, there are a few things that come to mind. Key among them is that motorcycles don't have external protection such as seat belts, airbags, or body covers. This makes it highly likely that motorcycle accidents are more fatal when compared to car accidents.

On the other hand, car accidents are likely to occur due to distractions, such as mobile phone use while driving, which is rare among motorcycle riders. Outlined below are several ways car accidents differ from motorcycle accidents.

Reasons for the Accidents

While there are some common causes of both car and motorcycle accidents, others are particular to each case. For instance, the Motorcycle Safety Lawyers cite that lane splitting is a common cause of motorcycle accidents but rare in car accidents.

Some particular causes of car accidents include:

• Distractions: As high as 25% of car accidents are caused by distracted driving. While tech is improving driver safety in many ways, the major attention grabber is the use of cell phones while on the wheel.

• Tiredness: Fatigue is a common cause of car accidents because it impairs rational decision making.  A driver is also likely to sleep on the wheel when they are tired.

• Driving under the influence: Driving while intoxicated was responsible for more than a quarter of all car accident deaths in 2016.  Most drunk drivers disregard the traffic rules and endanger their lives and that of other road users.

• Aggressive driving: More than 11,000 people die annually due to aggressive driving. Small issues such as failure to yield the right of way to other drivers often result in serious car accidents. Aggressive drivers are also likely to cause vehicle-motorcycle accidents because they don't treat motorcycles as their equals on the road. 

On the other hand, common causes of motorcycle accidents include:

• Lane splitting: Lane splitting is banned in all states for a reason. Since lanes' space is small, motorcycle riders cause accidents as they try to maneuver between vehicles. Similarly, drivers are less likely to give way when a motorcycle is riding between lanes, resulting in accidents.

• Vehicle left-turning: Past data indicate that almost half of motorcycle-vehicle accidents occur when the car is taking a left turn. It's mostly a case of who has the right of way as the vehicle driver may not anticipate an oncoming motorcyclist when making a left turn. This is why lane sharing is discouraged as the rider, in most cases, can't read a driver's next move.

• Speeding: Many riders love to speed. On a wet road, a speeding motorcycle won't be able to brake if an emergency occurs. Similarly, a speeding motorcycle is unlikely to make an emergency stop, unlike a car, since the braking systems are different. Such instances often result in serious accidents and injuries to the motorcycle rider.

• Obstacles on the road: Motorcycles are two-wheeled, and their stability is greatly tested when avoiding obstacles on the road. Most often, obstacles such as potholes and pedestrians are hard for riders to maneuver, leading to collisions. Motorcycles also can't make an immediate change of direction, making it hard for them to avoid stationary objects when at high speed.

• Drunk riders: Alcohol abuse is also a common cause of motorcycle accidents. For instance, in 2016, about a quarter of motorcycle deaths resulted from an intoxicated rider or driver. Unfortunately, alcohol-related motorcycle accidents are usually fatal since drunk riders are also likely to ride without a helmet.

The Extent of Injuries and Deaths

Perhaps the most striking difference between motorcycle accidents and car accidents is the seriousness of injuries sustained.

For car accidents, injuries are usually not fatal. Besides, in serious accidents, the vehicle suffers the most damage compared to the occupants. When the driver and passengers are wearing safety belts, the risk of injury is usually reduced. 

This scenario is different when it comes to motorcycle accidents. 

Studies indicate that motorcyclists are 27 times more likely to die in a traffic collision than car occupants. Motorcycle riders often have minimal protection, which increases the likelihood of fatal injuries and death in an accident. 

Besides, during a collision, the motorcycle rider runs a higher risk of landing hard on the road surface or even hitting other objects on the road. Injuries suffered by a rider in motorcycle accidents are usually many and serious, as outlined below.

• Head injuries: Injuries to the head are very common in motorcycle accidents. The severity of head injuries is higher for riders without a DOT-approved helmet. Such injuries lead to life-threatening conditions such as concussions and brain damage, which can cause permanent disability.

• Fractured bones: Riders involved in road accidents often suffer multiple broken bones because they end up being hit by objects such as guard rails and oncoming vehicles. The injuries are even worse when the rider doesn't have any form of external protection.

• Road rash: Many motorcycle accidents will lead to soft tissue damage. This is because a rider is likely to get burns and bruises as their body comes into contact with the hard, tarmacked surface. Having the right riding gear can reduce the severity of road burns and bruises.

• Death: Unfortunately, most motorcycle accidents lead to death. The high number of deaths from motorcycle accidents is what sets them apart from car accidents. 

Riding a motorcycle increases the likelihood of fatal injuries and death in case of an accident. But there are a few precautionary measures that you as a motorcycle rider can take to avoid road accidents. 

Here are some of the most important ones:

• Avoid riding in bad weather and wet roads.

• Ensure you wear a DOT-approved helmet 

• Observe the speed limit, especially in heavy traffic.

• Avoid lane splitting

• Always ensure the vehicle before and behind you can see you

• Always watch out for vehicles taking a left turn.

• Never ride when drunk or under the influence of drugs.

• Make sure your bike is serviced regularly.

• Adopt defensive riding and keep alert while on the road.

Final Comparison of Car and Motorcycle Accidents

Motorcycle accidents are more fatal compared to car accidents. However, most car and motorcycle accidents are caused by human error. 

Adhering to road rules and adopting defensive driving/riding can go a long way in reducing the number of accidents on our roads.