by Gabrielle DeSantis

Motorcycle crashes are far deadlier than car accidents. Following motorcycle safety tips, such as “ride like you are invisible,” can help you avoid a tragedy. And if you’re unable to evade an accident, safety gear such as helmets and airbag-equipped vests and jackets can help you escape death. But even with safety gear, you should always go to an emergency room to get checked after a crash. As one man in Italy found out, it could save your life. 

The motorcycle accident that caused the rider’s heart to rotate inside his chest

File this under “craziest motorcycle accident ever.” In 2014, an Italian man was in a serious motorbike crash and went to the local emergency room. There, doctors found an interesting injury, Live Science reports.

His heart rotated 90 degrees and ended up on the right side of his chest.

If you didn’t know, your heart should be on the left side, and it isn’t supposed to rotate. Doctors determined that a punctured lung had caused air to leak from his lungs and crowd the heart out of its normal position. Thankfully, medical staffers drained the air, and his heart returned to its proper location. 

Motorcycles are high-risk vehicles

Exposure and lack of visibility are the top two things that make motorcycles high-risk vehicles. Cars and trucks have difficulty seeing motorcycles due to their small size, which often puts riders’ safety in another drivers’ hands.

In addition, because riders are out in the open and not enclosed in a protective vehicle, any motorcycle accident can be deadly. Getting thrown from the bike without any protection, such as airbags, is a big reason why motorcycles are so dangerous.

How to stay safe on a motorbike

Even though motorcycles carry a high risk, there are many ways to mitigate hazards and stay safe while riding. The number-one tip — ride like you are invisible — is the most important. Don’t assume other drivers see you. Despite modern cars’ advanced safety features, such as blind-spot monitoring, you should never rely on other drivers or their vehicles’ safety features.

While you should ride as if you’re invisible, you can also do things to make yourself more visible, including wearing reflective and bright colors. And always wear motorcycle safety gear, including a helmet, a protective jacket, boots, and pants. Additionally, ensure that your bike is working properly and that you’re comfortable operating it. 

If you love riding motorcycles or even the idea of riding them, don’t let this story deter you. Though a rotating heart is definitely dramatic, there’s a reason this man’s story appears in medical journals: It is a rare case. Additionally, according to reports, it appears the driver recovered quickly after doctors drained the excess air from his chest. 

The main takeaway from this story is that with high risk comes high reward. Wearing appropriate safety gear, remaining laser-focused on the road and the surrounding environment, and following safety tips, tricks, and rules will help minimize your risk and maximize your reward. And always see a doctor if you’re in an accident. Going to the emergency room might seem like a bother and an expense, but it can save your life.

RELATED: The Simpler Motorcycle Airbag Jackets Might Be the Best

The post 1 Severe Motorcycle Accident Caused the Driver’s Heart to Rotate 90 Degrees appeared first on MotorBiscuit.

by Gabrielle DeSantis

Recall alert: certain Chevy Equinox and GMC Terrain compact SUVs have been recalled due to faulty Hankook tires. If left unchecked, the tire tread could separate from the rubber. The affected vehicles could lose control and risk a crash if the tires fail while in motion. Though, fortunately, this recall is rather small.

Only 7,000 Equinoxes and Terrains are impacted, but bring your car in anyways.

According to Kelley Blue Book, only 7,082 Equinoxes and Terrains made from 2021 to 2022 need to go back to the dealer for inspection. From there, mechanics will look at the tire number and, if they’re one of the failure-prone tires, will replace them at no cost. Signs that your Hankook tire is failing include bulges in the tire or harsh vibrations while in motion. However, just because your Terrain or Equinox is riding on Hankook tires doesn’t mean your car is automatically impacted.

Again, only 7,082 GMC Terrains and Chevy Equinoxes have been recalled, and only a handful of those will need to be fixed. While GM hasn’t issued any letters to customers yet, it’s said that they’ll do so starting September 20th. That said, if you’re worried your car is riding on faulty tires, take it into a dealership anyways and they’ll check it out for you.

Are there any other problems with the 2021 to 2022 Chevy Equinox or GMC Terrain?

The only other recall listed on Cars.com is for the 2021 Chevy Equinox, which has a faulty seatbelt. The assembly itself may not have been properly installed. So, in the event of an accident, the occupant may not actually be restrained. In other words, it’d be like driving without a seatbelt on.

This recall began February 6th, 2021, so by now, you’ve likely taken care of it. However, if this is news to you, or you’re buying a used 2021 Chevy Equinox, then you may want to have that looked at. As always, the recall will be of no cost to you, just bring it in.

That said, in terms of reliability, the Chevy Equinox is miles ahead of the GMC Terrain. In recent years, the Terrain’s general durability has seen an upswing, but it hasn’t always been perfect. According to U.S. News, the GMC Terrain got a reliability score of 82 out of 100, while the Chevy Equinox got a 91 out of 100.

Should you buy a Chevy Equinox or a GMC Terrain?

That all depends on luxury. There’s no denying that the two cars are basically twins. They both fall under the same company umbrella, and they both cater to the compact SUV market. But while the Chevy Equinox is an all-around SUV, the Terrain is comfier on the inside.

On top of that, the Terrain is mated to a nine-speed automatic, whereas the Equinox is stuck with just six gears. Their engine options, however, are identical. They start with a 170 horsepower 1.5-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and can be bumped up to a 2.0L turbocharged engine that knocks the horsepower up to 252. With these two compact SUVs, the devil is in the details. But just be sure to get those recalled Hankook tires looked at if you drive a 2021 to 2022 Chevy Equinox or GMC Terrain.

RELATED: 2021 Chevy Equinox: The Biggest Changes Coming for the SUV

The post Tread Trouble: GMC Terrain and Chevy Equinox Recalled for Faulty Tires appeared first on MotorBiscuit.