While many do not realize it, anytime one uses a motor vehicle he or she is putting themselves at risk to be injured in an accident. Most of the accidents that occur on a daily basis result in minor or no injuries to the driver or vehicle occupants. Some car accidents however result in more serious injuries. Because of the lack of protection afforded a rider, serious injuries are more likely when the vehicle involved is a motorcycle.

According to Pennsylvania State Police, last month a man on a motorcycle sustained injuries characterized as major. The 39-year-old man from Everett was riding his 2007 Yamaha 1100 motorcycle on U.S. 30 at 3:52 in the afternoon when he rear-ended a 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser. At the time of the accident the 53-year-old driver of the Toyota was reportedly stopped to let a dog cross the roadway. The accident occurred near Licking Creek Township Route 410.

Though the state of Pennsylvania does not require motorcyclists to wear helmets, at the time of this accident the man did have one on. Despite this protection, the man was injured. Accordingly he was transported to Fulton County Medical Center.

Rear-end accidents are one of the most common types of accidents in the U.S. Injuries in these types of cases often happen to the driver of the vehicle that is hit from behind and affect the back, shoulders and neck. In this particular case the driver of the Toyota did not sustain any injuries. This is likely due at least in part to the difference in size between the motorcycle and Toyota.

As is common in rear-end accidents, the speed of the motorcycle at the time of the crash appears to be a factor in this case. The 39-year-old man was cited for driving at an unsafe speed.

Source: Waynesboro Record Herald, "The Monitor: Major injuries reported in crash," Sept. 30, 2011