Urban or Rural, You Have the Right to Compensation
Motorcycle riders face more dangers than other motor vehicles whether on urban or rural roads. In 95% of accidents, human error was responsible for motorcycle fatalities. If someone is negligent or reckless and causes a motorcycle accident, they should be held liable.
Our firm has years of experience handling these motorcycle cases, whether on urban or rural roads in New York State. Contact us today to schedule a free consultation, or keep reading to learn whether urban or rural roads are more dangerous for motorcycles.
How Dangerous are Urban Roads for Motorcycles?
Depending on the study, 60-67% of motorcycle accidents are said to happen on urban roads. This is primarily because there is more traffic in general. Similarly, most motorcycle accidents happen on weekends when there are the most riders on the road.
Intersections are the most dangerous for urban riders. According to a report from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), 72% of motorcycle accidents happen at intersections. Furthermore, the most common fatal motorcycle accident is when a motor vehicle turns left in front of a motorcycle.
How Dangerous are Rural Roads for Motorcycles?
Although only roughly 10% of all motorcycle crashes happen on truly rural roads, the NTSB reports that rural crashes account for 35% of motorcycle fatalities. The interstate is the safest place to ride, with only 8% of crashes happening on those highways. The remainder of motorcycle crashes happen on suburban roads.
Other than driver error, the most common dangers for rural riders are:
- Intersections
- Impacting environmental objects
- Animals
Gravel, poor lighting, and other factors also come into play on some rural roads, especially at night. Riders, like drivers, are more likely to let their guard down on rural roads, impacting reaction time.
Which is Worse - Urban or Rural Motorcycle Accidents?
According to Motorcycle Cruiser, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) released statistics that 42% more fatal crashes happen on rural roads. The study did not differentiate motorcycle and other motor vehicle crashes, but there have been other studies.
An empirical analysis of data in Accident Analysis & Prevention found that the crash rate and severity are disproportionate in rural versus urban accidents, with rural accidents resulting in more fatalities. Therefore, even though more motorcycle crashes happen on urban roads, rural roads are more dangerous for riders. As pointed out by Motorcycle Cruiser, more research is needed.
Have You Been Injured in a Motorcycle Accident?
The majority of motorcycle accidents are caused by driver error of another vehicle. If your motorcycle accident was caused by the negligence, recklessness, or distraction of a driver, you could be entitled to compensation.
The Case Handler has years of experience helping bikers with mild to severe injuries recover damages for medical costs, lost income, and more. Contact us today for more information or to schedule a free consultation.
