Anti-lock braking systems (ABS) are a modern feature on many motorcycles that improve rider safety by preventing wheel lock during sudden stops. This helps riders maintain better stability and control.
Read on to learn how anti-lock brakes can prevent accidents and decide if your motorcycle needs them. If you’re injured in a crash due to someone else’s negligence, a Florida motorcycle injury lawyer can support your rights and help you claim the compensation you deserve.
What are Anti-Lock Brakes?
ABS, when installed on motorcycles, is an automatic assistant for braking in emergencies and removing the need for manual brake pumping. It uses sensors on the wheels to track changes in speed and automatically adjusts the brake pressure to prevent the wheels from locking up.
During a hard brake where a wheel might lock, ABS lowers the pressure on the brake calipers with fast pulses, effectively pumping the brakes better than manual effort. This improves your control and steadiness during abrupt stops.
You may feel a slight vibration when the ABS activates. This sensation is the system in action, helping you keep grip on the road and agility, contributing to a safer ride, especially during emergency situations like needing to avoid debris in the road or another vehicle changing lanes unexpectedly.
Are Anti-Lock Brakes Effective at Reducing Crashes?
A 2022 study found that anti-lock brakes were highly effective at reducing motorcycle fatalities. The study revealed a 22% reduction in fatal accidents per 10,000 registered vehicles when using ABS compared to those without one.
Here are a few scenarios that show how ABS can help prevent a collision:
- Unexpected Rain Showers: Florida’s weather can be unpredictable, with sudden rain showers making roads slippery. ABS prevents wheel lock-up during these quick weather changes, enabling you to maintain control and avoid potential hazards on wet roads.
- Stop-and-Go Traffic in Miami: Traveling through the congested streets of Miami, you might encounter abrupt stops due to traffic. ABS allows for a controlled and rapid stops, minimizing the risk of rear-end collisions in tight traffic conditions.
- Sand and Debris: Riding in coastal areas like Miami, you may come across sand or debris on the roads. ABS helps you navigate safely by adjusting brake pressure and preventing skidding on these slippery surfaces.
- Rapid Deceleration on Freeways: With the high-speed nature of Florida’s freeways, unexpected slowdowns can be dangerous. ABS assists in a smoother and quicker deceleration, helping you avoid pile-ups and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles.
Why You Can’t Always Rely on Safety Features
As a motorcycle rider in Florida, you prioritize safety by riding on a bike with features like ABS that can reduce your risk of a crash. You also take required training courses to learn and implement safe driving techniques and wear safety gear like a helmet, eye protection, and armored clothing.
However, despite these precautions, crashes and collisions can still happen. In 2022, there were 9,270 motorcycle crashes in Florida, higher than in the two years prior. This includes 631 fatalities and 1,999 incapacitating injuries to riders, and 26 deaths and 154 incapacitating injuries to motorcycle passengers.
Many of these injuries and deaths are due to another driver’s negligence. Nationally, the statistics show that:
- 57% of fatal motorcycle crashes involved another motor vehicle
- 75% of deadly motorcycle accidents involved a motorcycle being hit in the front rather than from behind
- 43% of two-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle occurred when the motorcycle was going straight, passing, or attempting to overtake another vehicle making a left turn.
These numbers show that when another driver acts negligently by failing to yield or check their blind spots, devastating crashes can happen. Unfortunately, this results in motorcycle riders being 24 times more likely to die in a collision with another vehicle than are people riding in cars and SUVs.
Get Fair, Compassionate Legal Representation After a Motorcycle Crash
While ABS is a major technological advancement for motorcycle safety, it doesn’t always prevent collisions when other drivers act negligently or recklessly. Choosing a bike with this feature can give you more stability and control and help you avoid crashes, but if another driver’s negligent actions result in an accident, you have the right to seek compensation.
Our team at Aigen Injury Law has many years of experience representing motorcycle accident victims in Florida. We know the unfair biases you might face from insurers and can help you fight these perceptions to get a fair settlement for your injuries.
Contact us today for a free consultation. We can discuss your case, help you understand your legal options, and start your compensation claim.