Summer is motorcycle season in Ohio. With the advent of warm weather, riders take to the highways and secondary roads throughout the state to enjoy their bikes and the company of fellow-riders. Unfortunately, with the increase in riders comes an increase in accidents. A few statistics about Ohio motorcycle crashes tells the story.Motorcycles were involved in 169 fatal accidents on Ohio roadways in 2011. Additionally, 1,064 people were seriously injured in that year, according to the Ohio Department of Transportation.There are patterns to motorcycle accidents, whatever the year. As one might expect, motorcycle accidents in Ohio and other northern states occur primarily during the warmer months when roads are free of ice and snow and more people ride. Motorcycle accidents follow motorcycle registrations, which in turn follow gasoline prices. Rising gas prices are reflected in increased motorcycle registrations and more accidents.Weather changes play a part in motorcycle accidents. Rainy weather reduces crashes, as shown by the numbers for 2011 in Ohio.

The weather in that year was very wet, particularly in the spring, and experts have speculated that storms kept motorcyclists off the roads. The result: fewer accidents than in the previous year.Nationally, the number of fatalities in 2011 was similar to that in 2010. However, between 2011 and 2012, preliminary data suggests that national motorcycle fatalities increased by around nine percent, reflecting both rising gas prices and an improving economy. Another reason for the increase is that traditionally cold-weather states like Ohio had record high temperatures in 2012, allowing riders to get on the road earlier than in other years.Fatalities in all types of traffic accidents have been falling steadily. Between 1997 and 2011, total motor vehicle accident fatalities fell by 23 percent, from 42, 013 to 32,367. However, the trend for motorcycle fatalities goes the other way. During the same years, motorcycle accident deaths more than doubled, from 2, 115 to at least 4,612.Helmet Use Is Key To Reducing Motorcycle Accidents, According To ExpertsAdvocacy groups say that the single fastest way to reduce motorcycle accident deaths is to have universal helmet laws that apply to every rider, regardless of the state or the age of the rider.

Ohio repealed its universal helmet law in 1978, replacing it with a law that covered only:Only 19 states and the District of Columbia have universal motorcycle helmet laws. Laws like Ohio's that require some riders to wear helmets are in place in 28 states. Three states, New Hampshire, Iowa and Illinois, have no helmet laws at all.Many state legislatures have passed weakened state helmet laws, reducing the number of riders required to wear helmets. motorcycle shop kildareThis also contributes to an increase in motorcycle deaths. motorcycle paint shop anchorageAccording to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, 97 percent of riders in states with universal helmet laws comply with the law and wear helmets. motorcycle compression tester for sale

In contrast, only 58 percent of riders in states with limited or no laws wear helmets; in general, those states have higher fatality rates.If you were injured or lost a loved one in a motorcycle accident, an attorney at Elk & Elk Co., Ltd. can advise you about your options.You are using a version of this browser that is no longer supported. Please update to a supported versionzebra print motorcycle helmets When you click "Continue" you will be taken to a site owned by , not GEICO. arguments for motorcycle helmet lawsGEICO has no control over their privacy practices and assumes no responsibility in connection with your use of their website. crotch rocket motorcycles for sale used

Any information that you provide directly to them is subject to the privacy policy posted on their website. GEICO: Motorcycle helmets improve riders' chances of survival by 29 percent WASHINGTON, D.C., Oct. 15, 2014 – GEICO says a helmet is a motorcycle rider's best friend. Helmets protect riders against the potential risks of severe injury or even death. According to a National Highway Traffic Safety Administration survey, riders wearing a helmet have a 29 percent better chance of surviving a crash than riders without a helmet. But only 19 states, plus the District of Columbia have universal motorcycle helmet laws that require all motorcycle operators and passengers to wear a helmet. Another 28 states have partial helmet laws that do not require adults to wear a helmet, and three states (Illinois, Iowa and New Hampshire) do not have any helmet laws or restrictions. "A motorcycle helmet is the most important piece of safety equipment that a motorcyclist has," said Steve Stojanovich, director of GEICO's motorcycle/RV division.

"Because motorcycle regulations vary from state to state, it's important that riders become aware of the dangers they face if they ride without one." The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration survey also found that motorcycle helmet use in the U.S. remained at 60 percent in 2013, unchanged after a significant drop from 66 percent between the years 2010 – 2012. Helmet use continues to be significantly higher in states that have universal helmet laws. Stojanovich mentioned that all motorcyclists should wear a Department of Transportation - approved helmet even if it's not the law in your state. "Make sure the helmet includes a face shield or protective eyewear to minimize severe injuries in case of an accident," said Stojanovich. States with universal helmet laws include: Alabama, California, DC, Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Oregon, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, and West Virginia.

States with partial helmet laws include: Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. GEICO (Government Employees Insurance Company) is a member of the Berkshire Hathaway family of companies and is the second-largest private passenger auto insurance company in the United States. GEICO, which was founded in 1936, provides millions of auto insurance quotes to U.S. drivers annually. The company is pleased to serve more than 14 million private passenger customers and insures more than 23 million vehicles (auto & cycle). Using GEICO's online service center, policyholders can purchase policies, make policy changes, report claims and print insurance ID cards. Policyholders can also connect to GEICO through the GEICO App, reach a representative over the phone or visit a GEICO local agent.