5 Shocking Motorcycle Crash Statistics

There are over 8.5 million motorcycles on the road in the United States. People often buy motorcycles for the thrill and the unparalleled feeling of freedom that they get when riding down a scenic road. The thought of the wind blowing through your hair on a warm, sunny day may sound appealing, but an innocent ride through the city may end in tragedy.

Motorcyclists face unique risks and dangers when they get on their bikes, and unfortunately, when an crash does occur, it is often far more catastrophic than a car crash. If you have a motorcycle, it’s important to prepare for the dangers that you may encounter on the road. Start by learning about these shocking motorcycle crash statistics:

Motorcyclists Are More Likely to Be Injured or Killed

According to the Insurance Information Institute, motorcyclists are five times more likely than car passengers to be injured in a crash and 29 times more likely to sustain fatal injuries. This is because motorcyclists have far less protection than motorcyclists do. When riding in a car, you are protected by seatbelts that strap your body in and airbags that limit the damage in the event of a collision. However, motorcyclists do not have this type of protection. Wearing a helmet, long-sleeved shirts, thick fabrics, and full-length pants can help, but these items don’t come close to providing the same level of protection as seatbelts and airbags.

Even if a car is traveling at a low speed when it hits a motorcycle, the impact could still be strong enough to send the motorcyclist flying off his bike or cause him to fall onto his side. Motorcyclists that are thrown from the bike can sustain traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord damage, road rash, and broken bones. If a motorcyclist falls to his side, it’s likely that the bike will topple over on top of him, pinning him to the ground and possibly crushing his limbs.

Many Motorcyclists Still Don’t Wear Helmets

Motorcyclists don’t have much protection, so you would think that they would take advantage of the little protection that they can get by wearing their safety gear at all times. However, It is estimated that only 50% of motorcyclists wear helmets. In addition, 40% of motorcyclists killed in crashes were not wearing a helmet at the time of the crash. Wearing a helmet is the greatest way to reduce your risk of sustaining a head injury, so not wearing one is irresponsible and dangerous.

Studies have shown that some motorcyclists are more likely to wear a helmet than others. Inexperienced riders, young riders, and motorcyclists who are going on short trips or riding on a hot day are less likely than others to wear a helmet.

Older Motorcyclists Account For More Than Half of All Fatalities

People often think of motorcyclists as young and reckless, but statistics show that older motorcyclists are more likely to be involved in fatal crashes than young riders. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported that 54% of motorcyclists killed in crashes in 2015 were at least 40 years old, which represents a 17% increase in deaths within this age group since 2006.

Why are so many older motorcyclists killed in crashes? According to researchers at Brown University, riders at this age begin to experience a decline in vision and reaction time. This makes it more difficult for them to see potential hazards and quickly react to changes on the road to avoid crashes. In addition, older riders tend to buy larger bikes that they view as more stable and reliable. However, these bikes are more likely to roll over in the event of a collision and lead to fatal injuries.

Motorists Are Usually At Fault For Motorcycle Crashes

About 75% of all motorcycle crashes involve a collision between a motorcycle and at least one car. Most of these motorcycle crashes are caused by motorists who fail to spot motorcycles in traffic when they turn, change lanes, move through an intersection, or merge. These drivers either fail to detect the motorcyclist altogether or only see him when it is too late to avoid the crash. The majority of motorcycle crashes occur in intersections when the motorist violates the motorcyclist’s right-of-way or fails to obey a traffic sign or light.

The other 25% of crashes are single-vehicle crashes, meaning they only involve the motorcycle. Roadway hazards such as potholes or debris can cause this type of crash, however these hazards only account for 2% of all collisions. More common causes of single-vehicle crashes include speeding, making wide turns, or sliding out due to rider error.

Motorcycle Crashes Cost $16 Billion Every Year

The Government Accounting Office (GAO) estimates that motorcycle crashes cost the country about $16 billion every year. This figure includes the cost of providing emergency medical services and other medical costs such as surgeries, rehabilitation, and mental health counseling. Also included is the loss of productivity, which occurs when motorcyclists must take time off of work to recover from their injuries. Believe it or not, the GAO estimates that the loss of productivity is higher than the cost of medical expenses for motorcycle crash victims. Loss of productivity typically accounts for 44% of the costs incurred after a crash, whereas medical expenses only account for 18%. However, it’s important to note that the GAO failed to include long-term medical expenses in this calculation. It’s possible that medical expenses could be the leading cost of motorcycle crashes if long-term expenses were factored in as well.

If you have been injured in a motorcycle crash, contact Trial Lawyers for Justice today to schedule a consultation regarding your case. Our team of attorneys has the experience and legal knowledge to help you recover the maximum amount of compensation available.

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