| Copyright (c) 2008 Katie Kelley | | | | particularly among those not wearing helmets and |
| Although scooters are flying off the shelves at most | | | | involved in a scooter or motorcycle crash. |
| dealer locations because of increasing gas prices, and | | | | According to analysts from the Pacific Institute for |
| the appeal of the motorcycle is no longer for the | | | | Research and Evaluation, working under contract for |
| urban cowboy, but rather for the everyman -- the | | | | the NHTSA, who studied the results of 25 |
| dangers of accidents associated with these forms of | | | | motorcycle studies conducted during the last few |
| transportation are often overlooked even as they | | | | decades, the costs for motorcycle injuries can be |
| increase. | | | | priced for non-helmet riders from $7,200 upward to |
| The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration | | | | $30,400 in hospital-admitted and fatal accidents; |
| (NHTSA) reported that there are approximately 6.6 | | | | whereas helmet wearers paid less after a crash |
| million registered motorcycles, not including scooters, | | | | costing anywhere from $3,000 to $17,400 in accident |
| in the United States. The NHTSA also reported that | | | | and hospital-related costs. |
| nearly 2,500 motorcyclists die in traffic accidents | | | | The study also reported that riders afflicted with a |
| each year, and while this number was previously | | | | head injury will likely pay an average of $43,214 for |
| decreasing from 1990 to 1997, it has increased at | | | | trauma-center admittance and an average of $22,491 |
| least 40 percent steadily since 1997. | | | | for hospital-admittance, while no head injury |
| Scooter and Motorcycle Popularity Parallels Dangers | | | | motorcycle or scooter riders involved in an paid an |
| According to a news article from the Dallas Morning | | | | average of $15,528 for trauma-center admittance |
| News on July 2, scooter sales had increased 24 | | | | and an average of $11,430 for hospital-admission |
| percent in the first half of 2008. Additionally, the | | | | injuries. |
| Motorcycle Industry Council, noted that Vespa saw a | | | | Safety Tips for Better Driving |
| nearly 40 percent increase in sales while Yamaha | | | | The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) |
| reported a 65 percent increase over a one-year | | | | offers educational programs and classes for those |
| period. | | | | seeking to own and operate a scooter or |
| A Consumer Reports article from June 2008 also | | | | motorcycle. Among the USDOT?recommendations |
| discussed the popularity of motorcycles and | | | | are the following for the increasing number of |
| scooters, which have increased tenfold. The article | | | | motorcyclists and scooters drivers: |
| detailed sales of motorcycles, which have increased | | | | * Watch for the "no-zones" - often the blind spots |
| to approximately $1.2 million in 2006 alone -- a record | | | | of trucks as well as cars. * Wear USDOT approved |
| unseen before. However, in that same year, it was | | | | helmets at all times. |
| reported that motorcycle fatalities accounted for | | | | * Riders must always drive defensively, but still with |
| more than 10 percent of all motor vehicle crash | | | | caution. |
| deaths. | | | | * Never ride between lanes in traffic or share a lane |
| However, motorcycle accidents are up approximately | | | | with another vehicle. |
| 127 percent since 1997 and the NHTSA reported that | | | | * Ensure a motorcycle or scooter is updated on |
| a motorcyclist is approximately 34 times more likely | | | | maintenance routinely. |
| to die in a crash than someone in a passenger car. | | | | * It is imperative that all riders wear jackets, boots, |
| Additionally it has been reported that: | | | | gloves at all times; leather is also known to decrease |
| * In 2006, motorcyclist fatalities nearly doubled killing | | | | the risk of rider's burn. |
| 4,810. | | | | * Be aware of speeds and maintain speed limits; |
| * According to the Institute for Highway Safety | | | | accidents have been known to occur because riders |
| (IIHS) motorcylce deaths are on the rise whereas | | | | were speeding and collided with slower moving |
| vehicle/automotive deaths have declined. | | | | vehicles such as buses or trucks. |
| * Approximately 88,000 motorcycle riders were | | | | * Be prepared for bad weather as well as night riding, |
| injured in 2006, according to the NHTSA. | | | | which increases the risk of an accident. |
| * Supersport bikes (also nicknamed rocket bikes or | | | | Seeking Accident and Injury Assistance after a Crash |
| crotch rockets) have fatality rates that are four | | | | Individuals who have been involved in a motorcycle |
| times greater than other motorcycle riders. | | | | or scooter crash should seek the assistance of an |
| * These supersport bikes made up only 10 percent | | | | experienced accident attorney who can offer |
| of registered motorcycles in 2005, but were | | | | assistance as well as legal consultation regarding a |
| responsible for 25 percent of motorcycle fatalities in | | | | wreck or injury. Because accidents among |
| that year. | | | | motorcyclists and scooter riders quite frequently are |
| * Wearing a helmet can reduced crash fatalities | | | | not their fault and can often occur because the |
| among riders by nearly 37 percent, according to | | | | driver of another vehicle didn?see the motorcycle or |
| NHTSA. | | | | scooter, it may be wise to begin building a scooter or |
| Scooter and Motorcycle Accident Costs | | | | motorcycle crash case or lawsuit. |
| While many individuals are moving toward scooters | | | | Because of the costly bills associated with |
| and motorcycles to save money on the costs of | | | | motorcycle or scooter accident, an individual may |
| gasoline, often, individuals overlook that scooter and | | | | want to discuss an accident lawsuit with an |
| motorcycle accidents can be extremely costly | | | | experienced law firm. |