What Is A Major Cause Of Death In Motorcycle Accident?
What is a Major Cause of Death in Motorcycle Accidents?
Motorcycle accidents are deadly for many reasons, including traumatic brain injury and alcohol use. There is also the risk of driver distractions. In addition, distractions can result in intoxicated drivers, so it’s important to stay alert while driving, especially if you’re on a motorcycle. Motorcycle accidents can also be the result of rider error, such as not paying attention to the traffic around you. This can lead to catastrophic injuries, including penetrating brain wounds, skull fractures, and cerebral edema.
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traumatic brain injury
Traumatic brain injury is one of the most common causes of death following a motorcycle accident. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, there will be 5,014 fatal motorcycle accidents in 2019. Because motorcyclists have little to no protection from the impact of other cars or objects on the road, they are at risk for serious head injuries and other catastrophic injuries. These injuries can require extensive rehabilitation and lifelong care.
When a person is in a motorcycle accident, they are twice as likely to suffer a traumatic brain injury as someone in a car. A traumatic brain injury is caused by an impact on the head that results in damage to the brain. Millions of Americans suffer from traumatic brain injuries every year and more than half of those cases are caused by motor vehicle accidents. Traumatic brain injury is a devastating injury that can have long-lasting effects. Symptoms can appear immediately after the accident or develop over days or weeks.
Distracted driving
Distracted driving is one of the biggest causes of motorcycle accidents, and it is especially harmful to motorcycle riders. Motorcycles are not equipped with the same safety features as cars, so distracted drivers are more likely to hit a motorcycle. As a result, motorcycle riders are often thrown from their motorcycle and suffer severe injuries.
Other distractions that cause motorcycle accidents include eating, grooming, and talking with passengers. If distracted driver does not pay attention to their surroundings, they run the risk of striking and killing a motorcyclist. In addition, motorcyclists lack sufficient protection in the event of an accident, and drivers of commercial trucks and passenger vehicles often have trouble seeing them.
Alcohol
Alcohol consumption is a significant personal risk factor for motorcycle accidents. One-third of the fatalities involving motorcycles are caused by alcohol intoxication. Motorcycle riders have a four to seven-fold increased risk of fatality for drivers with a blood alcohol content (BAC) of 0.03% and higher.
Researchers at Teresina, Piaui, Brazil, conducted a study to determine the association between motorcycle accidents and alcohol consumption. They looked at 110 accident victims treated at the emergency department during November and December 2016. They analyzed the data using inferential tests and descriptive statistics. The study found a significant association between alcohol consumption and the severity of the crash, licensed driving status, accident time, and helmet use.
Age of motorcyclists
Age is one of the major contributing factors to motorcycle accident fatalities. Statistically, motorcyclists over 40 years old are nearly twice as likely to die in a crash than younger riders. This is partly due to a reduction in reflexes, impaired vision, and altered balance.
Motorcycle fatalities are higher among younger riders than for older riders, according to the latest federal data. The older age group is also more likely to be white and to use a helmet. Older riders are also more likely to sustain a serious injury. In addition, older riders are more likely to crash on rural roads than on highways.