How Do Motorcycle Crash Bars Work?

Bill Allen | September 15, 2021 | Motorcycle Accident

Motorcycle crash bars can reduce the damage to bikes’ engines and body panels. This is especially true when the side of the motorcycle collides with the ground.

Typically, crash bars are steel tubes that are mounted to the lower frame of a motorcycle. These tubes are often plated in chrome.

Although many motorcycles have them, some people are unsure about the way that motorcycle crash bars work. This guide will discuss several issues related to motorcycle crash bars.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle accident, make sure to consult a skilled legal professional. If your collision was the result of someone else’s negligence, you may be owed financial damages for the losses you sustained.

Can Crash Bars Protect Motorcyclists?

Crash bars offer motorcycle riders a degree of protection in a crash. In some circumstances, crash bars can limit damage to a rider and their vehicle.

Suppose that you were riding your motorcycle at a speed no greater than thirty miles per hour. If you were forced to break quickly and the bike tipped on its side, crash bars might be helpful. When a motorcycle is on its side, crash bars prevent the full weight of the vehicle from pressing against the roadway or ground.

Many motorcycle accidents result in the bike falling or sliding on its side. In a situation like this, crash bars may prevent the vehicle from crushing a motorcyclist’s leg.

Even if the bike is not traveling at high speeds, motorcycle crash bars can help to prevent injuries. Even if a bike tips over while it is stationary in a parking lot, these bars will ensure that the rider’s leg does not get trapped beneath the vehicle. 

Injury Prevention from Motorcycle Crash Bars

Some of the most common injuries in motorcycle crashes involve lower extremity damage. According to research from the Journal of Trauma and Acute Care, lower extremity injuries often lead to lifelong disabilities.

One effective way to prevent lower extremity injuries is to install crash bars. It is important to point out that not every type of crash bar is effective for injury prevention, however.

For instance, some crash bars are not strong enough to support the full weight of the bike. In these cases, bars may be poorly designed or made from weak materials.

Moreover, motorcycle crash bars do not offer protection in the event of the following types of collisions:

This safety device is only helpful in accidents in which the motorcycle lands on its side. 

Contested Claims of Protection

Many people contest the claim that crash bars provide reliable protection for motorcyclists. For instance, some research suggests that motorcyclists’ legs rarely stay in standard riding positions during a crash. 

Motorcycle accidents are incredibly chaotic and dangerous events. If the rider is thrown from the bike or their leg moves unexpectedly, crash bars may not fulfill their intended safety function. 

If you have sustained an injury in a motorcycle accident, you are not alone. Motorcycle accidents are much more common than they should be. 

If a negligent driver caused your crash, you may have the right to pursue financial compensation. For this reason, it’s important to speak with a motorcycle crash attorney right away if you are involved in an accident.

Contact Our Motorcycle Accident Law Firm in North Central Florida

If you need legal assistance, contact the Gainesville motorcycle accident lawyers at Allen Law Firm at your nearest location to schedule a free consultation today.

We have two convenient locations in North Central Florida:

Allen Law Firm, P.A. – Gainesville office
2550 SW 76th St #150
Gainesville, FL 32608
(877) 255-3652

Allen Law Firm, P.A. – Ocala Office
112 S Pine Ave
Ocala, FL 34471
(352) 351-3258