Did you know that July 14th is National Motorcycle Day? The weather is warm, and the open road is calling… and as both the home of Presque Isle and the former home of Roar on the Shore, Erie attracts both local bikers and motorcycle enthusiasts 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!
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 lack the protection of a vehicle; you’re exposed to the dangers of the road, where 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 be hurt or even lose their life. If a car comes too close, unexpectedly swerves, or brakes suddenly, motorcyclists can fall off their bikes even if the vehicles don’t make contact. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that individuals are 27 times more likely to die in a motorcycle collision than they are in a car.
Because of this, damages resulting from motorcycle accidents are higher than those from car accidents. For your average fender bender, there’d be damage to the vehicles, plus maybe the cost of a rental if the repairs take more than a day or two. If someone is in a motorcycle accident, since they’re much more likely to be injured, the costs (monetary, physical, and even emotional) pile up. The NHTSA’s report shows that 93.4% of all motorcycle accidents in 2020 resulted in either the injury or death of the rider. So, already you’re on the hook for the damage to your motorcycle, but then there’ll be medical bills, too. If your injuries were severe enough, you could lose wages while recovering and unable to work. You could end up with the type of injury that affects you for years, 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 each time you take your bike on the road.
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 that occurs when skin is scraped off 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.
Many insurance providers offer helpful programs to make bikers safer and save them money while they’re at it! For example, when looking for insurance you’re typically given 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 get started, switch your current insurance, or if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us!