Author: Anthony Proffitt

One of the most vulnerable groups of motorists on the roads is motorcyclists. Many of them ride without proper riding gear, and they do not have the same structures to protect them as car drivers do. Motorcycle accidents are very common in Knoxville. Out of the 8.6 million of them that were on the roads in 2015, approximately 88,000 of them were injured from motorcycle crashes, states the Insurance Information Institute. As the weather continues to warm up, one can expect to see more bikers and motorcycle accidents on the roads. Bikers who are getting ready to ride should make themselves aware of the common types of injuries they face.

Legs and feet

According to RideaPart.com, “30 percent of all bikers sustain injuries to their legs and feet.” These injuries are often nonlife-threatening. But that does not make them any less serious in some cases. Broken bones and torn and damaged muscles and ligaments can result in injuries ranging from minor to severe and disabling.

Skin abrasions

Many bikers suffer from skin abrasions and road rash when they crash their bikes. Their bodies often slide along the pavement after they have fallen before coming to a complete stop. The scrapes often range from mild to severe and most commonly occur on their legs, hands, faces and backs.

Spinal cords

Motorcyclists are particularly at risk for spinal cord injuries. Their vehicles lack structures to protect their backs and spinal cords from forceful movement during collisions. Also, when motorcyclists crash, they may find themselves wedged between other objects and vehicles, landing on their heads and necks or impaled by foreign objects, resulting in damage to their spinal columns. Spinal cord injuries are often severe and can result in temporary and permanent paralysis.

Because of the structure of their vehicles, bikers should exercise caution when they are on the roads. They should also wear riding gear to minimize the risk and severity of injuries they may sustain when they collide with other vehicles.

Cars are much larger than motorcycles, but they are just as deadly. According to Consumer Reports, in 2015, more than 5,000 bikers died in motorcycle accidents. Many motorists in Knoxville do not pay much attention to bikers on the roads. They tend to pay more attention to other things like their mobile devices and other cars. This inattentiveness is among the many things that lead to car and motorcycle accidents, injuries and death. Many these accidents are preventable. 

Avoid blind left turns 

Motorists should pay special attention when they make left turns. They should check all their mirrors and blind spots to ensure there are no motorcyclists behind them. Many accidents occur when drivers make left hand turns without checking to see what vehicles are in front of and behind them. 

Recognizing other vehicles 

Drivers should realize that there are other types of vehicles on the roads with them. Motorcyclists are not always easy to see, but they are there. Motorists who fail to recognize the types of vehicles they are in traffic with so they can adjust their driving behaviors and actions accordingly often end up in accidents with them. 

Check before changing lanes 

“Motorcycles are so small that they can fit into the blind spots of other drivers,” states RideApart.com. This often creates problems when motorists suddenly change lanes. Sometimes they are not able to see bikers who are in the lanes, occupying the spots they want. Motorcyclists are not always able to take safe and evasive actions to avoid collisions. Drivers should also turn their heads so they can check for the presence of bikers before they switch lanes. 

Bikers and drivers can share the roads together safely. They should work together and stay mindful and respectful of the presence and actions of other motorists

Drowsing driving accidents are a very common occurrence in Knoxville. Motorists are not the only ones who fall asleep while they are operating their vehicles. Many bikers often become sleepy while they are on the roads. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, in 2013, 72,000 motor vehicle accidents were caused by sleepy motorists. Drowsy driving accidents can occur at any time. But they are more likely to occur during the early morning and late evening.

It is not always possible for other motorists to know when a biker is too tired to operate his or her vehicle safely. Drowsiness is often caused by inadequate sleep, side effects of medications and intoxication. Many signs of drowsy driving mimic the symptoms of intoxication. Motorcyclists who drive while tired face the risk of serious injuries. Common signs of drowsy riding include driving too closely to other motorists, drifting between lanes, not stopping in time to avoid collisions, delayed reactions times and reduced awareness.

The feeling of drowsiness can happen fast. Many motorists are not aware that they are too tired to drive until they collide into other vehicles. Even though 97 percent of drivers and bikers are aware of how dangerous operating vehicles while sleepy is, they still do it, states Gas2.org. Bikers should avoid riding if they are not able to get enough rest and feel themselves losing focus on the roads.

Drowsy driving is preventable. Motorists should take frequent rest stops if they plan to drive more than 100 miles at a time. They should plan their routes and leave early so they have sufficient time to make it to their destinations on time.

Many people in Knoxville are under the impression that motorcyclists do not get drink and ride. Drunk driving is an epidemic that does not discriminate against motorist type. Bikers, vehicle operators and even truckers are common offenders. According to RideApart.com,“ legally intoxicated motorcyclists are the largest group of motorists who are most likely to die in alcohol-related motor vehicle accidents.” The percentage of bikers who were drunk at the time of their demise was 27 percent in 2012.

Factors that affect blood alcohol content (BAC)

There are factors that can affect the way that bikers respond to the effects of alcohol, such as size, age, health, sex and food. Those factors along with the amount of alcohol consumed and the rate of alcohol consumption can determine BAC levels. Bikers who ride with a BAC of 0.08 percent or higher are more likely to exhibit signs of intoxication and receive DUIs. In some cases, bikers can receive driving under the influence charges with a considerably lower blood alcohol content. 42 percent of intoxicated bikers had BACs that were 0.08 percent of higher in 2015, states the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, Highway Loss Data Institute.

Reduced motor and maneuverability skills

Bikers may use a different mode of transportation on the roads, but their actions when they are impaired are very similar to those of other motorists. Motorcyclists have to maintain their balance when riding their bikes to avoid falling off of them. Intoxicated bikers are not very coordinated. When riding their bikes, they may make frequent stops to keep from falling over or off their bikes, thus impeding their ability to ride safely.

Braking is an action that requires bikers to use both of their feet. Since their motors skills are diminished, they are unable to modulate their brakes so they can stop their bikes safely. They cannot maneuver their vehicles to avoid collisions with other vehicles and objects.

Drunk bikers are every bit as dangerous as intoxicated automobile operators. People should learn how to spot drunk bikers so they can avoid them to limit their chances of being involved in drunk driving accidents.

The start of spring is right around the corner, and many bikers are gearing up to hit the roads in Knoxville. With warmer weather comes an increase in motorists and motor vehicle accidents. Victims of motorcycle accidents tend to suffer more severe injuries than victims of other types of road accidents. Motorcyclists who plan to make the most of the warmer weather should learn about issues that can affect their safety so they can avoid them.

Left-hand turns

Many left-hand collisions happen when drivers of other vehicles make left turns that result in head-on collisions with bikers. In many cases, the drivers of passenger cars that cause these accidents do not see the motorcyclists until it is too late to avoid crashing into them, states RiderGroups.com. Left-hand biker accidents usually occur at intersections where there is two-way traffic, but they can also happen in other types of traffic situations.

Dangerous maneuvers

Many bikers get so caught up in the thrill and excitement of riding that they forget to use safe riding maneuvers. They miscalculate turns and angles and misjudge their timing which can result in them being thrown off their bikes. They speed and split lanes, increasing the chances of them riding into and being hit by other motorists. According to Gas2.org, speeding also increases the likelihood of them not seeing objects and other drivers and losing control of their bikes.

The factors mentioned above are not all inclusive. There are other issues that threaten biker safety that all motorists should make themselves aware of. Many motorcycle-related accidents are preventable with the right knowledge, preparation and precautions.