Pennsylvania Motorcycle Accident Injury

Dangerous Highways

If you are a motorcycle rider the most dangerous roads in Pennsylvania are ALL roads. Death from motorcycle accidents is on the rise. When there is an accident between a motorcycle and another larger vehicle the motorcycle is almost always the one most negatively impacted. The safety measures built into cars like air bags and crumple zones are not widely available on motorcycles therefore death, spinal injuries and head trauma occur all too often to operators of motorcycles.

Unsafe Highways

Unsafe highways contribute to traffic accidents. According to Tripnet.org, a national transportation research group:</p>

44% of Pennsylvania’s major roads are in poor or mediocre condition.
47% of Pennsylvania’s bridges are structurally deficient or functionally obsolete.
Roadway conditions are a significant factor in approximately one-third of traffic fatalities.
There were 1,491 traffic fatalities in 2007 in Pennsylvania.
A total of 7,699 people died on Pennsylvania’s highways from 2003 through 2007.
Pennsylvania’s traffic fatality rate of 1.37 fatalities per 100 million vehicle miles of travel is slightly higher than the national average of 1.36.
Nationwide, 76% of all fatal crashes occur on two-lane roads while only 14% of fatal crashes occur on roads with four or more lanes. In Pennsylvania, 47% of major roads, excluding the Interstate, are two lanes.

These two lane highways that carry only 28% of the nation's vehicles are responsible for more than half the fatal accidents. Precautions must be taken to ensure that you enjoy your road trip without incident. Statistics indicate that the baby boomer motorcycle rider looks forward to road trips on rural roads rather than on major interstates. The features that make these roads beautiful hide the fact that they are among the most dangerous in America.

The characteristic that earns the distinction of unsafe highway can be a feature of the road or of the usual and customary behavior of the drivers on that road. Two of the greatest contributors to all accidents are the use of alcohol and speeding. Whether operating a car or motorcycle drinking and driving is a cause of accidents but for motorcycle riders in Pennsylvania the data from the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration shows the following:

Fatalities in alcohol-related crashes in 2006 remained essentially the same as in 2005.
Motorcycle rider deaths per year continued their nine-year increase, reaching 4,810 in 2006.
Motorcycle rider fatalities now account for 11% of total fatalities, exceeding the number of pedestrian fatalities for the first time since NHTSA started collecting data.

Safety Precautions

Depend on yourself and no one else to follow the rules. They may be at fault but you will bear the brunt of the injury.

Avoid the blind spots of other drivers. If you cannot see their faces they cannot see you. Use your throttle- let them know you are there.

If you think a driver is unaware of you bring yourself abreast of the driver’s window.

Give yourself escape routes.

Become familiar with your bike and improve your skills. Practice the kind of riding you will be doing. Find a large parking lot and practice braking, emergency lane changes, your relationship to your machine and it’s mirrors.

Slow down give yourself time to react.

Don’t drink and ride.

At the end of the day, using all of your skills and planning should help you avoid accidents. However you should plan to protect your rights with the best motorcycle accident injury lawyers. Messa & Associates have an extensive background in representation of motorcycle accident injury litigation. We have handled cases that includes injuries-representation due to dangerous roads. We provide experienced litigation support in motorcycle accident and death cases in Pennsylvania. If you need legal representation in Pennsylvania in a matter concerning motorcycle injuries or death of a loved one, call us toll free at 866.403.4LAW (4529), or fill out the contact web form.