Riding a motorcycle is seen as a fun and enjoyable experience to veteran riders as well as novices and first-timers.  For the avid rider, it is also fuel efficient and rather convenient during daily rush hour traffic.

For the most part, motorcyclists are aware of the dangers that are associated with riding a motorcycle.

According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), a motorcyclist is thirty times more likely to die in an accident than someone who is in a car or truck.  It was also noted that nearly half of all motorcycle accidents are single-vehicle crashes.

In this same report, it states that older riders are more at risk of being hurt in a motorcycle accident.  This is because many of them are picking up riding again after a long break or just beginning to learn to ride.  As we age, our level of strength and alertness diminishes. These are important skills that are essential to the safe handling of a motorcycle.  Motorcyclists over sixty years of age were seen to be three times more likely to be injured in a motorcycle accident than younger riders.

There are many causes of #link(motorcycle-accidents,,motorcycle accidents).  Most motorcyclists are safe drivers. But they cannot account for the actions of others and the devastating effects this may have on the driver or passenger of a motorcycle involved in an accident.

A few years ago, Canadians empathies were torn in a tragic case that involved an act of kindness towards ducks that turned into an act of negligence that killed a father and daughter.

On June 27^th 2010, Emma Czornobaj chose to stop her vehicle in the left lane along Highway 30 in Candiac to help remove a group of ducklings that she noticed on the highway.  During this time motorcyclist Andre Roy, who had his sixteen year old daughter Jessie Roy riding on the back of his motorcycle, crashed into the rear of Emma’s vehicle.

Andre Roy died immediately and his young daughter succumbed to her injuries shortly after arriving at the hospital.  They were both wearing helmets that met safety standards at the time.

Almost four years later, Emma Czornobaj was found guilty of two counts of criminal negligence and dangerous operation of a motor vehicle.  At a later date she was sentenced to a ninety day jail term to be served on weekends, a ten year suspension of her driver’s licence and two hundred and forty hours of community service.

Cases like this receive worldwide attention because of their tragic nature and serve as cautionary tales to the general public.  In this case, the riders unfortunately died from their injuries even with protective gear; in other cases, there have been serious but non-life threatening injuries.

The most common injuries associated with motorcycle accidents are head injuries (concussions, #link(brain-injuries,,traumatic brain injuries)) broken limbs and joints (arms, legs, wrists, hips) soft tissue damage (skin and muscle damage) and permanent disfigurement (road burns).

It is very possible to ride safely without incident.  While your safety will be reliant on others as well (other motorists who should be vigilant when driving), motorcycle riders need to keep in mind that accident avoidance strategies are an important aspect of safety.

We urge all motorcyclists to keep in mind the following to help keep safe on the roads this spring and summer season.

• Ensure that you are knowledgeable about bikes and their performance.  The performance level of motorcycles these days is vastly different from earlier models.  For example you may find motorcycle models with small-displacement engines are faster than larger engines used to be.
• When seated on a motorcycle your feet should be able to reach the ground easily and flatly.  The handlebars should be comfortably within reach and the bike should not be too heavy for you to handle.
• Antilock brakes have been shown to save lives not just on motor vehicles but on motorcycles as well.  It was seen that motorcycles that utilized antilock brakes were thirty-seven percent less likely than those without to be involved in a fatal accident.
•  As with most things in life, learning and nurturing a skill is the only way to improve it.  Aside from learning how to ride a motorcycle from a licensed institution, enrolling in additional safety courses will only help solidify and increase your experience and safety on the road.
• Wearing the right gear is not just for visual gratification.  The leather full-bodied outfits that are well known to bikers offer a protective layer against the unforgiving road if ever the rider should take a spill.
• Helmets are required by law for a reason.  Some riders feel that it should be their choice to not wear a helmet but research has shown that motorcyclists are forty percent more likely to suffer from a fatal or traumatic head injury when they do not wear the prescribed helmets.
• Be alert for any foreign hazards on the road.  Potholes, leaves and pebbles will affect the contact that a motorcycle has with the road.  If not avoided, such hazards can easily cause skidding and loss of control of the motorcycle.
• As with any motor vehicle, always do a quick walk around to ensure that your motorcycle is in working order.  Check the tires, lights, chain, brakes, etc., to ensure that they are all functioning properly.

At #link(contact,,Burn Tucker Lachaîne), we practice in many areas of #link(personal-injury,,personal injury), including motorcycle accidents.  If you or someone you know has been hurt, injured or killed in a motorcycle accident, call us today for a free no obligation initial consultation.  We serve clients in Ottawa and throughout eastern Ontario and our expertly staffed firm will be at your disposal.

We offer a professional and competent service that goes beyond just representing you in court.  We treat all our clients in an empathetic and inclusive manner, ensuring that they are always aware of the progression of their case which will in turn allow them to focus on their recovery during this sometimes lengthy and emotional period.