Young people shouldn’t have all the fun, and, according to recent statistics, they aren’t the only ones traveling by motorcycle. The number of riders over age 50 more than doubled from 1990 to 2003 and by 2003 one quarter of all motorcycle riders in the U.S. were 50 or older. While motorcycle riding can be a great joy and an efficient form of transportation, it is also important for older riders to understand the risks that they face.
Older Bike Riders May Be at Increased Risk of Serious Injuries
A recent study published in the online journal Injury Prevention found that older riders are three times as likely to suffer serious injuries in motorcycle accidents when compared to younger riders. From 2003 to 2008 the number of riders over the age of 60 who were injured in accidents rose by 247 percent. Motorcycle riders over the age of 60 were three times as likely to be hospitalized for motorcycle accident injuries as riders in their 20s and 30s.
Some of the injuries more likely to be sustained by older riders and result in hospitalizations include:
- Bone fractures.
- Dislocations.
- Internal organ damage.
Some of the reasons why older riders may be at greater risk of injury are:
- Physiological changes such as decreasing bone strength, changes in body fat distribution and decreasing elasticity in the chest wall.
- Underlying medical issues.
While you, as an older rider, may be at increased risk of suffering serious motorcycle accident injuries you have the same right to a potential recovery that a younger rider would have if he was hurt.
Call a Quad Cities Motorcycle Accident Lawyer Today to Learn More
If you have been hurt in an Iowa motorcycle wreck then you may be able to recover damages for your accident injuries. Please contact an experienced Davenport motorcycle accident attorney today at 1-800-800-5678 and please read our FREE book, The Ultimate Guide for Motorcycle Accident Victims, to learn more.
