Are Airbags Effective in Motorcycle Accidents?
Since the advent of the motorcycle, the most significant safety drawback has been that motorcyclists do not have the same protection as motor vehicle occupants. They are not shielded from injury by a metal shell, seat belts or airbags. Advances in technology, however, have come up with a solution similar to traditional airbags: inflatable motorcycle gear.
The Importance of Airbags
Airbags have saved thousands of lives in traffic accidents. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, frontal airbags have prevented an estimated 50,457 deaths in 30 years. They are around 29 percent effective in reducing driver fatalities in front-end crashes. Unfortunately, motorcycles do not have the capacity for traditional airbags to be very effective, since riders are often thrown from their bikes entirely. For this reason, portable airbags that are attached to the riders themselves have emerged as a better solution.
Your Airbag Options as a Motorcyclist
Wearable airbag systems in the form of inflatable vests and jackets are becoming increasingly popular among motorcyclists. This inflatable gear is worn like a typical piece of clothing. In the event of a motorcycle accident, however, the jacket or vest suddenly inflates multiple air bladders by triggering a burst of carbon dioxide (CO2). The inflation of the jacket cushions the rider’s upper body upon impact, making it much more effective than an airbag that is affixed to the motorcycle alone. By absorbing most of the force of the collision, these devices can prevent common injuries to a rider’s vulnerable torso and abdomen, including rib fractures, punctured lungs and internal organ damage.
Do Inflatable Vests and Jackets Work?
Airbag gear for motorcyclists is still a relatively new development in safety technology. Therefore, research is limited. However, studies that have been conducted indicate that inflatable apparel can prevent injuries to the torso by up to 60 percent and to the legs by up to 40 percent. Research has shown that collisions that likely would have resulted in severe injuries – such as broken bones and spinal trauma – had the rider not been wearing inflatable technology instead only caused minor bruises, abrasions and soft-tissue injuries. The latest models have proven especially effective in protecting motorcyclists. Original models used a strap that tethered the motorcyclist to the bike. When the tether was detached, the air bladders would deploy. The latest vests and jackets use smart airbag technology to eliminate the tether and better protect the wearer’s spinal cord in an accident.
Limitations of Motorcycle Airbags
Airbags for motorcyclists – including both built-in and wearable – are not complete solutions. For example, inflatable gear mostly protects the upper body from injury, not the lower body. It is still important for motorcycle riders to wear proper gear, such as sturdy pants and boots. In addition, motorcyclists must still wear helmets to effectively prevent head and brain injuries.
Protect Your Rights After a Motorcycle Crash in Los Angeles
Overall, airbag vests and jackets for motorcyclists are effective in preventing injuries in accidents. However, no solution is perfect. Severe and life-threatening injuries can still occur. If you get injured in a motorcycle accident in California, protect yourself by contacting an attorney. A motorcycle accident lawyer in Los Angeles can help you hold a motor vehicle driver or another party responsible for your crash and related losses.