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Protecting Accident Victims Throughout Western Pennsylvania.

Motorcycle passengers more prone to head injuries than drivers

On Behalf of | Jul 8, 2022 | Motor Vehicle Accidents

Helmet use helps determine how likely you are to suffer a head injury in a motorcycle crash. However, other variables also factor in and impact your chances of suffering a serious injury in a Pennsylvania motorcycle wreck. Whether you are the person driving the bike or the person riding on the back of it is among them.

According to Reuters, you are more likely to experience a traumatic brain injury in a motorcycle crash when you ride on the back of the motorcycle, as opposed to driving it.

Head injury statistics

Studies show that traumatic brain injuries are the most common injury suffered by those involved in motorcycle wrecks, and this holds true for motorcycle drivers as well as passengers. Research shows that motorcycle passengers suffer TBIs in 40% of bike crashes, whereas those driving the bike suffer TBIs in about 36% of bike wrecks.

Helmet statistics

You face a higher TBI risk as a passenger than you do when you ride on the back of the bike because, as a passenger, you are statistically less likely to wear a helmet when you ride. Studies indicate that motorcycle drivers wear helmets about two-thirds of the time. Motorcycle passengers, however, do so in about 57.5% of instances. Yet, even when you and the person driving the bike both have helmets on, you still face higher head injury risks. This may be because, as a passenger, you face a higher chance of ejection from the bike in the event of a wreck.

TBIs have the potential to impact many aspects of your life. They may, too, lead to substantial medical bills and long-term care needs, depending on circumstances.