Motorcycles: Keeping Safe on the Open Road

Did you know that July 14^th is National Motorcycle Day? The weather is warm, and the open road is calling… As the former home of Roar on the Shore, Erie attracts bikers from miles around. If you’re one of them, it’s extra important to be sure you have a robust insurance policy. Read on to find out why!

Motorcycles vs. Cars

So, what makes motorcycles different? First of all, motorcycle accidents are more likely to result in serious injuries than an auto accident. When on a bike, you’re exposed to the dangers of the road. But cars have airbags and interiors designed to absorb shock and minimize damage to passengers. Motorcyclists risk serious bodily harm from relatively simple collisions. On a motorcycle, it doesn’t take a collision for a driver to hurt or even kill a biker. If a car unexpectedly swerves or brakes suddenly, motorcyclists can fall off their bikes even if there’s no contact. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that individuals are 27 times more likely to die in a motorcycle collision than in a car.

Paying the Costs

Because of this, damages resulting from motorcycle accidents are higher than those from car accidents. For a car wreck, you pay for damages plus the cost of a rental if the repairs take a while. In a motorcycle accident, since you’re more likely to suffer injury, the costs (monetary, physical, and even emotional) pile up. The NHTSA reports that 93.4% of motorcycle accidents in 2020 resulted in the injury or death of the rider.

So, you’re on the hook for the damage to your motorcycle, plus medical bills. If your injuries were severe enough, you could lose wages while recovering and unable to work. You could end up with a long-term condition like a traumatic brain injury, forcing you to file for disability. Plus, severe accidents can result in Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, and that comes with therapy bills, et cetera. The fact is, as a motorcyclist you stand to lose much more.

Play it Safe

But don’t despair – you can prevent these risks, and so can the drivers around you. For starters, of course, it’s important to wear proper protection when operating a motorcycle. In Pennsylvania, there are about 179 motorcycle deaths a year on average. The NHTSA states that in half of these cases, the riders were not wearing helmets. And those leather jackets, gloves, and boots aren’t just for looking stylish. Leathers actually protect riders from “road rash,” a type of friction wound caused by asphalt. And they offer a barrier for the cold weather and wet conditions we see so often in Pennsylvania.

The onus isn’t entirely on bikers, of course. Those of us who stick to cars have an important duty to share the road safely. It’s essential to be aware of blind spots, since motorcycles can easily go unseen due to their smaller size. Be sure to allow for more space when driving near a bike. Motorcycles can brake more quickly, giving drivers less reaction time than they’re used to from other cars.

Bottom Line

Many insurance providers offer helpful programs to make bikers safer and save them money while they’re at it! When looking for insurance, you typically have the option to bundle motorcycle insurance with your car and/or homeowner’s insurance. Many providers also offer discounts in exchange for completing safety courses, or for maintaining safe driving records. If you’d like to switch your current insurance, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us!