Surviving a motorcycle fall

This article explains the best actions you can take in the unfortunate event of becoming unseated from your motorcycle. The advice won't prevent you from being hurt but it can help you to minimise damage and possible save your life! Facts and statistics quoted in this article are taken from the MAIDS - Motorcycle Accident In Depth Study and the Hurt Study - Motorcycle Accident Cause Factors and Identification of Countermeasures.

 

Obviously, the best way to avoid being hurt is to not be involved in an accident in the first place! However, with 3/4 of all motorcycle accidents involving another vehicle, and the majority of these taking place because the driver of the other vehicle did not see the motorcyclist, accident avoidance is not always an option.

 

To avoid being in an accident at all a rider can take many preventative steps. The best advice anyone can follow is to drive safely and never put yourself in a position where you are required to use biking skills you have not yet had a chance to develop.

 

It's unreasonable to physically practice falling off a bike or crashing in to another vehicle. To be prepared for such an event you will be better served sitting down and thinking about what actions you would like to take. A biker generally has around 2 seconds to react prior to a fall or crash. Once you realise you’re going to kiss the floor your adrenaline will kick in. If you've never thought about it before you may freeze, and fall, and gravity will take it out on your body. If you have considered your 'falling style' there is a chance your natural reactions will take over and perform some of the actions you hoped it would when you planned your crash. Every accident is different so prepare in your mind for different events.

 

A fall at speed will involve pain! Once you are unseated your best option is to attempt to slide. This prevents you from rolling or tumbling, which is the main cause of broken arms, legs and backs! Protective gear will help cause friction and slow you down although this protection won't last for ever at least it's only your skin that gets broken (also know as road rash), not your neck.

 

Another method sometimes mentioned is the controlled rolled. This involves raising your hands above your head and rolling along the floor, very much like how a child would roll down a hill. This should only be attempted if a slide is not possible as limb snappage is likely to occur. It does however beat tumbling.

 

When on your bike you should really be wearing as much protection as possible. Should you attempt the 'slide to a halt' manoeuvre, if you're not wearing a sturdy leather jacket/outfit you can kiss goodbye to a whole lot of skin.

 

A motorbike back protector can also help in a roll situation. While only 10% of motorbike injuries involve some form of spinal damage, it's still an injury you should take steps to prevent.

 

Hopefully you will be wearing a motorbike helmet. If not, well you clearly are too stupid to be able to take any of this advice onboard. Just pray luck is on your side because you're really going to need it!