Clothing in a Crash

[ModernAndy]

Here's my daft thought for the day, not related to any personal experience, just something I was thinking about;

Do the clothes you wear have any significant impact on your well-being in a crash?

For example (and this is just one hypothetical scenario), if I was wearing my leather jacket when somebody crashed into me, would I be better protected against lacerations that could endanger my life? If I was only wearing a T-shirt, could I be vulnerable to deep cuts on my arms from flying glass and exposed metal, etc.?

Quick note: I'm not suggesting we make people wear special clothing (if any) when they get into a car and I'm certainly not suggesting an item of clothing will protect you from a large vehicle like a truck entering your cabin.

[TobyLaRohne]

you mean like nomex race suits or biker leathers?...clothing makes a difference but unless there is a fire I'd have thought it would make little difference in a car

[littleredrooster]

It can make a huge difference if there's only two wheels underneath you.

[RizzoTheRat]

Cotton is way better in a fire than synthetics.

A leather jacket or other tough material is going to give way more protection against minor abrasions/cuts, but I'd have thought they're pretty inconsequential injuries in a crash. Most glass these days is tempered so you don't get loads of sharp shards.

[Dr Interceptor]

ModernAndy said:

Here's my daft thought for the day, not related to any personal experience, just something I was thinking about;

Do the clothes you wear have any significant impact on your well-being in a crash?

For example (and this is just one hypothetical scenario), if I was wearing my leather jacket when somebody crashed into me, would I be better protected against lacerations that could endanger my life? If I was only wearing a T-shirt, could I be vulnerable to deep cuts on my arms from flying glass and exposed metal, etc.?

Quick note: I'm not suggesting we make people wear special clothing (if any) when they get into a car and I'm certainly not suggesting an item of clothing will protect you from a large vehicle like a truck entering your cabin.

Of course it can, depending on the severity of the impact. In a 2mph shunt from behind, it won't matter, but in an 80mph motorway prang, it would.

Full length sleeves to avoid burns to the arms from airbags deploying, driving gloves for the same reason.

[N Dentressangle]

doogz said:

Does bike insurance cover your clothing?

You're riding a £500 bike in leathers and a lid worth £2k? Is it covered?

It does if you specify that it should. I've mostly ridden bikes worth less than the gear I'm wearing.

[marting]

doogz said:

What about in a car? You're driving a £500 snotter wearing a £2k coat, and you crash, write the car off, walk away, but have torn your coat?

The PH consensus would be you're priorities are wrong. Should be a 2.5k MX 5 and no coat

[RizzoTheRat]

doogz said:

Does bike insurance cover your clothing?

You're riding a £500 bike in leathers and a lid worth £2k? Is it covered?

Generally it's an addon rather than part of the standard policy. My kit's worth more than my bike so I have it covered, but it doesn't cost that much extra.

[Disastrous]

Dr Interceptor said:

Full length sleeves to avoid burns to the arms from airbags deploying, driving gloves for the same reason.

Please tell me that you aren't advocating driving in full-length sleeves and driving gloves for safety reasons!?

[Dr Interceptor]

Disastrous said:

Please tell me that you aren't advocating driving in full-length sleeves and driving gloves for safety reasons!?

No... but if you did happen to be wearing them at the time of an impact, they would protect you to a degree.

[Tango13]

doogz said:

Does bike insurance cover your clothing?

You're riding a £500 bike in leathers and a lid worth £2k? Is it covered?

What about in a car? You're driving a £500 snotter wearing a £2k coat, and you crash, write the car off, walk away, but have torn your coat?

Some bike insurers will cover your kit to the tune of £1k for £20 which is next to useless when your gloves are £350 a pair.

Check your home contents insurance

[Bill]

doogz said:

What about your helmet?

Always make sure that's covered

[Ash From Flux]

Tango13 said:

Some bike insurers will cover your kit to the tune of £1k for £20 which is next to useless when your gloves are £350 a pair.

Check your home contents insurance

Next to useless? I'd take £1k towards helping reimburse the costs, for £20!

In all seriousness, though. As many people have pointed out, it's generally an additional policy. As an indication, our Bikesure arm offer 3 different levels of cover; £24.99 = £1,000. £29.99 = £1,500. £34.99 = £2,000.

As far as I'm aware, there are no plans to spread this over to the car branch, but you never know :-)

Thanks,

Ash

EDITED to Add; This provides covers for helmet, protective clothing and leathers.

[chunoo]

Think clothing will make a small difference, but never really life or death in a car.

Think I have heard a story previously whereby someone was wearing glasses and this protected their eyes in a crash - good to know seeing as I waer then to drive!

[RizzoTheRat]

Though I think any reduction in injuries sustained due to me wearing my glasses in a crash is going to be pretty insignificant compared to the reduced chance of me having a crash when I'm wearing them

[Hugo a Gogo]

yes, if drivers and passengers wore light cycle helmets it would prevent a number of head injuries

just like cyclists

[Prizam]

Yes, it makes a difference in both a car and bike.

A bike, is obvious.

In a car, thicker materiel protects the skin better.

I had a crash in a car and the impact and tightening of the seat belt cut straight through my shirt and cut the skin over my collar bone. Had some good bruising too.

[TKF]

I never drive in anything less than a full Nomex(tm) suit and insist on the same for my passengers. Refuse and walk. My car, my rules.

[Disastrous]

TKF said:

I never drive in anything less than a full Nomex(tm) suit and insist on the same for my passengers. Refuse and walk. My car, my rules.

Especially if you're piloting at 10/10ths.

No compromises - no half-measures.

[Tango13]

Ash From Flux said:

Tango13 said:

Some bike insurers will cover your kit to the tune of £1k for £20 which is next to useless when your gloves are £350 a pair.

Check your home contents insurance

Next to useless? I'd take £1k towards helping reimburse the costs, for £20!

In all seriousness, though. As many people have pointed out, it's generally an additional policy. As an indication, our Bikesure arm offer 3 different levels of cover; £24.99 = £1,000. £29.99 = £1,500. £34.99 = £2,000.

As far as I'm aware, there are no plans to spread this over to the car branch, but you never know :-)

Thanks,

Ash

EDITED to Add; This provides covers for helmet, protective clothing and leathers.

£2000 would only just cover my leathers and gloves, I'd still need to find another £1500 for helmet, boots and back protector.

So an extra £34.99 on my bike policy or I can get them all covered on my home contents for their full value for an extra £0.00