Vespa Motor Scooters Locations
Saving Gas May not Save Lives
Copyright (c) 2008 Katie Kelley
Although scooters fly off the shelves at most dealers because of the increasing gas prices, and the appeal of the motorcycle is not for the urban cowboy, but for the ordinary man - the dangers of accidents related to these forms of transport are often overlooked even if they increase.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that approximately 6.6 million registered motorcycles, not including scooters, in the United States. The NHTSA also reported that nearly 2,500 motorcyclists die in traffic accidents each year, and while this number was previously decreasing from 1990 to 1997 it has increased at least 40 percent steadily since 1997.
Scooter and motorcycle Popularity Parallels Dangers
According to a news release from the Dallas Morning News on July 2, had increased scooter sales by 24 percent in the first half of 2008. Additionally, the Motorcycle Industry Council, noted that Vespa nearly a 40 percent increase in sales while Yamaha reported saw an increase of 65 percent over a period of one year.
A Consumer Reports article from June 2008 also discussed the popularity of motorcycles and scooters, which have multiplied. The article detailed sales of motorcycles, which have increased approximately $ 1.2 million in 2006 alone - an unprecedented record. However, in that same year, it was reported that motorcycle fatalities accounted for more than 10 percent of all car accident deaths.
However, motorcycle accidents are up approximately 127 percent since 1997 and the NHTSA reported that a motorcyclist is about 34 times more likely to die in a crash than someone in a car. In addition, reported that:
* In 2006, motorcyclist fatalities nearly doubled in 4810 deaths.
* According to the Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) motorcyclist deaths on the rise whereas vehicle / automotive deaths have declined.
* About 88,000 motorcyclists were injured in 2006, according to NHTSA.
* Supersport bikes (also nicknamed rocket bikes or crotch rockets) have fatality rates four times higher than other motorcyclists.
* This supersport bikes only 10 percent of registered motorcycles in 2005, but accounted for 25 percent of motorcycle deaths in that year.
* Wearing a helmet can reduced crash fatalities among riders by nearly 37 percent, according to NHTSA.
Scooter Cost motorcycle accident
While many people are moving to scooters and motorcycles to save money on gasoline costs, individuals often overlook that scooter and motorcycle accidents in particular can be extremely costly of them not wearing helmets and involved in a scooter or a motorcycle crash.
Analysts of the Pacific Institute Research and Evaluation, working under contract for the NHTSA, which examined the results of 25 motorcycle studies conducted during the last decades, the cost for motorcyclists injuries are priced for non-helmet riders from $ 7,200 up to $ 30,400 in hospital admitted and fatal accidents that carriers paid less helmet after a crash cost anywhere from $ 3,000 to 17,400 dollars in the accident and hospital-related costs.
The study also reported that riders afflicted with a head injury is likely to pay an average of $ 43,214 for trauma center admission and an average of $ 22,491 for hospitalization, but no head injury motorcycle or scooter riders involved in a paid an average of $ 15,528 for trauma center admission and an average of $ 11,430 for hospitalization injuries.
Safety Tips for better driving
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) offers educational programs and classes for those looking to own and operate a scooter or motorcycle. Under The USDOT? The following recommendations for the growing number of motorcyclists and scooter drivers:
* Watch out for the "no-zones" - often the blind spots of trucks and cars. * Wear USDOT approved helmet at all times.
* Riders must always drive defensively, but still with caution.
* Never ride between lanes in traffic or share a lane with another vehicle.
* Provide a motorcycle or scooter is updated routinely maintenance.
* It is imperative that all riders wear jackets, boots, gloves at all times, learning is also known to reduce risk of burning rider.
* Be aware of speeds and maintain speed limits, accidents are known to occur because riders were speeding and collided with vehicles such as slower buses or trucks.
* Be prepared for bad weather and night driving, reducing the risk of an accident increases.
Looking for Accident and Injury Assistance after a crash
Persons who have been involved in a motorcycle or scooter crash should seek the assistance of an experienced accident lawyer who can offer assistance and legal consultation on a wreck or injury. Because accidents among motorcyclists and scooter riders quite frequently are not their fault and can often occur because the driver of another vehicle have? see the motorcycle or scooter, it may be wise to begin building a scooter or a motorcycle crash case or lawsuit.
Because the big bills associated with motorcycle or scooter accident, an individual may want to discuss an accident with an experienced trial lawyer.
