Many motorcycle riders are out and about in Virginia, especially with the advent of pleasant summer weather. Unfortunately, motorcyclists are vulnerable to accidents.
Often the fault for a crash rests with the motorist involved, but sometimes single-vehicle motorcycle crashes occur. Safety innovators are working with new technology to help prevent such accidents.
Case in point
On June 3, 2019, at about 11 p.m., a Navy petty officer was riding his motorcycle along Campostella Road in Chesapeake, VA, when he ran off the road. He crashed into a utility pole and died at the scene. Investigators have not yet determined the cause of the accident.
A study proposes technology help
The goal of a 2018 National Transportation Safety Board study was to examine risk factors leading to motorcycle crashes and recommend strategies to prevent accidents. After analyzing federal crash data, the NTSB researchers determined that certain safety innovations could reduce the number of single-vehicle motorcycle crashes. Their findings indicated that motorcycles with state-of-the-art stability control systems can mitigate the loss of control that precedes this kind of crash. Consequently, this safety technology could reduce the number of riders who become injured or die by running into a fixed object, such as a tree, a guardrail or a utility pole, as was the case with the Navy petty officer.
Other considerations
The NTSB study found that the most common type of vehicle-motorcycle crash occurs when a driver makes a left turn in front of an oncoming motorcycle. However, there are many other situations that cause the negligent driver to insist that he “didn’t see the motorcycle.” The researchers recommended that motorcycle information be integrated into vehicle crash warning and prevention systems so that drivers can more easily detect the presence of these smaller moving objects.
Seeking help
There are many safety hazards for motorcyclists, and riders continually face the possibility of injury or loss of life. Until the latest safety technology comes to your motorcycle, exercise constant vigilance out on the road. If an accident should occur and you sustain injuries, explore your legal options without delay. An experienced advocate can manage the complex world of insurance claims and coverage on your behalf so that you can concentrate on your recovery.