The environment of a motorcycle accident is clearly different from that of other motor vehicle accidents, and a distinguishing feature is the occurrence of groin injury to the motorcycle rider. During the typical crash impact, the motorcycle rider slides forward into the top of the gas tank, handlebars, radio, steering head, etc., with the prospects of groin contact and injury.

Detailed information of groin injury was collected for 900 motorcycle accidents investigated during NHTSA sponsored research. Injury mechanisms were defined and the effect of speed, contact surface, motorcycle type and seating position were determined by analysis.

Groin injury information is analyzed to portray the causes of high injury severity, and vehicle configurations which are associated with high injury severity are identified.