As gas prices continue to rise to numbers never before seen in the United States and worldwide, millions of Americans are looking for ways to transport gas. Among options available are scooters and motorcycles, which are fast becoming sought after and a popular form of transport.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported that approximately 6.6 million registered motorcycles, not including mopeds in the USA. The NHTSA also reported that nearly 2,500 motorcyclists die in traffic accidents each year, and although this number was previously decreasing from 1990 to 1997, has grown at least 40 percent steadily since 1997.

Scooter and Motorcycle Popularity Parallels Dangers

According to an article from the Dallas Morning News News, July 2, sales of scooters have increased 24 percent in the first half of 2008. In addition, the Motorcycle Industry Council, noted that Vespa saw an increase almost 40 percent in sales while Yamaha reported a 65 percent increase over a period of one year.

A Consumer Reports article from June 2008 also discussed the popularity of motorcycles and scooters, which have multiplied tenfold. The article detailed sales of motorcycles have increased approximately $ 1.2 million in 2006 alone – a record not seen before. However, in the same year, it was reported that motorcycle fatalities represent over 10 percent of all deaths from motor vehicle accidents.

However, motorcycle accidents are approximately 127 percent since 1997 and the NHTSA reported that a motorcyclist is approximately 34 times more likely to die in an accident than someone in a passenger car. Also has been reported that:

* In 2006, motorcyclist deaths 4810 killed nearly doubled.

* According to the Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) MOTORCYLCE deaths are increasing while vehicles and deaths cars have decreased.

* Approximately 88,000 motorcyclists were injured in 2006, according to NHTSA.

* Jet Supersport (also nicknamed rocket bikes or crotch rockets) have mortality rates that are four times higher than other motorcyclists.

* These supersport bikes made up only 10 per percent of registered motorcycles in 2005 but accounted for 25 percent of motorcycle fatalities in that year.

* Wearing a helmet can reduce deaths from accidents among riders of almost 37 percent, according to NHTSA.

Scooter and Motorcycle Accident Costs

While many people are moving toward scooters and motorcycles to save money on gasoline costs, often, people overlook the motorcycle and motorcycle accidents can be very costly particularly among those not wearing helmets and involved in a scooter or motorcycle accident.

According to analysts of the Pacific Institute for Research and Evaluation, working under contract to the NHTSA, which studied the results of 25 motorcycle studies conducted during the last decades, the costs of motorcycle injuries can be priced for non-helmet riders $ 7,200 upwards of $ 30,400 admitted to hospital and fatalities, while the hull carriers paid less after accident costs between $ 3,000 and $ 17,400 in the accident and the related hospital costs.

The study also showed that drivers affected by injury head is likely to pay an average of $ 43,214 for trauma-center admissions and an average of $ 22,491 for hospital admission, while no motorcycle head injury or scooter drivers involved in paying an average of $ 15,528 for trauma center admission and an average of $ 11,430 for the hospital of injuries admission.

Safety Tips for better driving

The U.S. Department of Transport (USDOT) runs education programs and information for people hoping to learn or become a motorcycle or scooter driver. Among the recommendations are as follows USDOT for Growing motorcycle and moped:

* Watch for the "exclusion zones" – often the blind spots of trucks and cars.

* Wear USDOT approved helmets at all times.

* Travel with caution and drive defensively.

* Never ride between lanes of traffic or share a lane with another vehicle.

* Ensure a motorcycle or scooter is updated in the routine maintenance.

* Wear protective clothing, including gloves, boots and a jacket.

* Be aware of the speeds and maintain speed limits, clashes often occur due to speeding in trucks and buses, which are often the slowest speeds.

* Be prepared for bad weather and night walks, increasing the risk of an accident.

Accidents and Injuries Seeking assistance after an accident

People who have been involved in a motorcycle or motorcycle accident should seek the help of an experienced accident lawyer who can offer assistance and legal advice in relation to an accident or injury. Because accidents among motorcyclists and motorcyclists are often not their fault and can often occur because the driver of the other vehicle did not see the motorcycle or scooter, you may want to start to build a scooter or motorcycle accident case or claim.

The development of a demand for motorcycles after accident like that can also provide monetary compensation to the injured motorcycle or scooter driver and help relieve the heavy medical bills associated with an accident, as noted above.

About the Author:

Protecting yourself and your family members from a scooter, motorcycle or any type of vehicle accident is extremely important — learn more at http://crash.legalview.com/. Also, use http://www.LegalView.com to learn about the latest mesothelioma jury verdicts or Cipro side effects.

Article Source: ArticlesBase.com – Scooters and Motorcycles Popularity and Wrecks Increase

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