If you look at total volume and frequency, you will see that motorcycle accidents happen at a lower rate than car accidents in Indiana. But the bigger picture tells a different story from this single statistic. Riding a motorcycle is a bigger risk than driving a car or truck.
When you compare relative numbers, you will discover that motorcycles are overrepresented in cases with serious injuries and fatalities. Even if you look at data of vehicles going at similar speeds, motorbike riders often suffer from worse injuries after an accident.
There are many reasons why motorcycles are generally riskier than traditional four-wheeled vehicles.
Lax laws, less protection
Cars and trucks have metal frames that shield you in case of collision. Car companies build them with multiple protective measures to absorb most of the impact of a crash. Auto safety laws and engineering create modern cars with safety features that further increase your protection. For example, Indiana imposes fines on drivers and passengers of passenger motor vehicles who fail to wear seatbelts.
On the other hand, motorcycles offer no such protection. You are completely exposed during a collision. There are no airbags to absorb impact, no seatbelt to restrain you and no metal frames to act as a barrier.
Indiana laws on motorcycle safety are more lax, which may feel less restrictive at first but are riskier. Indiana law only requires riders under 18 and riders who only carry a motorcycle learner’s permit to wear a helmet. Not wearing a helmet can make you more vulnerable to traumatic brain injuries (TBI), road rash or paralysis after a crash. Insurance companies may also attempt to use the lack of headgear to reduce your payout under Indiana’s comparative fault laws.
Environment and road hazard vulnerability
Motorcycles are much more sensitive to the conditions on the road than cars and trucks. Unpredictable weather like sudden downpours and road hazards like potholes are common in rural Indiana. While cars absorb shock and maintain tire grip more easily, motorbikes can slip or lose traction in the same conditions.
If you are a motorcycle rider, you must be more vigilant when traveling in less than ideal conditions. Both Indiana’s weather and road conditions work against you, making you much more vulnerable than car and truck drivers.
Reduced visibility to other vehicles
Most two-wheeled vehicles are smaller than both trucks and cars, making them susceptible to severe injuries in crashes. A driver may overlook you in certain hazardous situations, such as busy intersections. If a much bigger vehicle has a blind spot, a collision is more likely to happen. Drivers of trucks and other large vehicles may have a harder time spotting you on the road.
Accidents involving motorcycles are uniquely dangerous compared to car accidents. If you are hurt in a motorbike crash, seek medical help immediately. Reach out to someone legally qualified if you incur medical expenses, diminished earning capacity, and other losses. A personal injury claim in Indiana can help you recover damages.
