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While much most of us will be aware of the hazards posed to motorcyclists by inattentive drivers of other vehicles, injuries caused to pedestrians by motorcycles seem to get little press. A simple look at the statistics detailing motorbike injuries suffered by pedestrians suggests that this is a situation which should be redressed.
Compared to cars, for every mile travelled in 2005, motorcycles killed 3.7 times as many pedestrians. 2004 was also a bad year for pedestrian-motorbike injuries, with 1,059 pedestrians suffering personal injury after being hit by motorcycles. Of these, 20 suffered fatal injury, while a further 229 were seriously injured. Not a single rider is believed to have died as a result of these collisions.
The situation in the United States of America is equally bad, with 13.4% of all pedestrian deaths in road accidents attributable to collisions involving motorbikes.
Why is the situation so bad?
To start with, because of their lesser size, neither motorcycles nor pedestrians are easily visible, especially in poor riding conditions. This means that sometimes they may only be observable to each other at the last minute, sometimes before it is too late to take the kind of action that might prevent an accident.
While it is speculated that some pedestrians take a reckless approach to motorcyclists, not perceiving them as a real risk to their personal safety, it is undoubtedly motorcyclists who bear the brunt of the responsibility for these accidents, with 13% of all motorbike accidents having excessive speed as a contributory factor.
The Department of Transport report that a significant number of road accidents involving motorcycles occur as a result of riders losing control round bends or undertaking unsafe overtaking manoeuvres. Both of these scenarios can be seen as posing risk to pedestrians as they generally involve motorbikes travelling at high speeds in situations where they are unlikely to be sighted by pedestrians until very late.
The Department of Transport's Vehicle Speeds in Great Britain report for 2004 provides perhaps the most insightful look into why motorbikes pose such a threat to the safety of pedestrians. The following data makes for chilling reading:
36% of motorcycles exceeded the speed limit on built-up roads, with 19% travelling faster than 45 mph. This compares with 27% of cars which exceeded the speed limit and 10% which travelled faster than 45 mph;
48% of motorcycles exceeded the speed limit at 30 mph sites and 24% travelled at more than 35 mph. This compares with 53% of cars which exceeded the speed limit at 30 mph sites and 22% which travelled faster than 35 mph.
All riders who wish to both improve the safety of their riding and help protect the safety of pedestrians may find it useful to look at the following information provided by road safety charity BRAKE: http://www.brake.org.uk
Expert no win, no fee solicitors
Here at YouClaim, we understand that every road accident is unique. We also understand that all individuals who suffer motorcycling injuries through no fault of their own deserve compensation.
Our no win, no fee solicitors are renowned for their commitment to securing the very best possible outcome for their motorcycle accident claimants.
Although we are described as "no win, no fee", in reality our service offers much more. In fact, it can be said that win or lose, making a motorbike injury claim with us will never cost you a penny.
In addition, our 100% compensation promise means that you can rest assured that no-one will ever take a cut of any money awarded you.
If you would like speak to a legal advisor now, call us free-phone on 0800 10 757 95.
Or if you would prefer to first do some groundwork, fill out an online claim form, have an e-chat or request a callback for a time that is convenient to you.
