Whether going for a long trip or a short drive across town, the thrill of riding a motorcycle remains unmatched. Unfortunately, if you are reckless, your innocent ride could be tragic.
Though less common that car accidents, motorcycle accidents have far more devastating and far-reaching consequences for the rider and passenger.
That said, how common are motorcycle accidents?
The best way of understanding this is to analyze statistics of motorcycle accidents. These statistics offer valuable insights into the leading causes of crashes and what to do to make your rides safer.
If you’re a motorcyclist, the information presented herein will be helpful to you. Read on to know how common motorcycle accidents are and what to do when you are involved in an accident.
Motorcycle Accidents – What Do the Statistics Say?
Motorcycles represented only 3% of all registered automobiles in the United States in 2019. Yet, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), riders have a fatality rate of 58.33%. This exceeds the death rate of passenger car occupants and is nearly nine times that of light-truck occupants.
Here are the key statistics on motorcycle accidents from 2021:
- 84,000 motorcyclists were injured and 5,014 killed.
- Riders accounted for 14% of overall traffic fatalities and 17% of all occupant fatalities (driver and passenger).
- There’s been an 11% increase in motorcycle fatalities between 2010 and 2019.
- Alcohol impairment contributed to over 15% of motorcycle accidents.
- 42% of motorcyclists killed in single-vehicle accidents in 2019 were alcohol-impaired.
- 30% of motorcyclists involved in fatal accidents in 2019 did not have a valid motorcycle license.
- 57% of motorcycle riders killed in 2019 (in states without universal helmet laws) were not wearing helmets, while only 9% died in states with universal helmet laws.
Motorcycle vs Car Accidents – How Do They Stack Up?
One thing you should be aware of when riding a motorcycle is that you don’t have the same level of protection as the person in a car. Drivers and passengers in cars are usually safeguarded by the vehicle’s stability, seat belt, airbag, and metal body.
The only safety gear for motorcyclists is the helmet, yet most riders ignore it. A whole 57% of riders who died in motorcycle crashes in 2019 were not wearing helmets!
Another thing, a motorcycle may go unnoticed by other motorists because of an obstructed view or driver distraction. Statistics of motorcycle vs car accidents from 2019 show that 75% of all traffic accidents involve a collision with another vehicle.
These factors (among others) contribute to the high rate of accidents and fatalities between cars and motorcycles.
Motorcycle accident vs car accident statistics show that:
- Motorcycle accident fatalities are 30 times higher than those of car accidents.
- A motorcyclist is nine times more likely to sustain injuries when riding a motorcycle than a car driver/passenger.
- 31% of motorcyclists involved in fatal crashes were speeding compared to 18% of car drivers.
- 28% of motorcyclists in fatal crashes drive without a license compared to 13 percent of passenger car drivers.
- 22% of motorcycles in fatal accidents crash into fixed objects, compared to 16% of cars
- Motorcyclists over 40 are 20 times more likely to sustain injuries in an accident than car drivers of the same age.
- Riders involved in fatal accidents have higher BAC levels than auto drivers (29% for motorcycles, 20% for passenger cars, 19% for light trucks, and 2% for large tracks).
These statistics have been consistent over the decades. If there’s anything you could learn from this, take safety rules and laws in your state seriously. That way, you can keep yourself safe while on the road.
How Often Does This Happen – What Percentage of Motorcycle Riders Get in Accidents?
Statistics from the Insurance Information Institute (III) can show how often motorcycle accidents happen.
According to the III, there were about 84,000 injuries from motorcycle crashes in 2019. The records also show that 8,596,314 motorcycles were registered in the U.S in 2019.
Based on this number, what percentage of motorcycle riders get in accidents?
If each registered motorcycle had a good rider and neither sustained injuries even once that year, roughly one percent of all motorcycles would be in a crash.
Since most accident cases go unreported, it would be accurate to assume that more than one percent of motorcycles are involved in an accident.
Why Are Motorcycle Accidents So Common?
Motorcycle accidents occur for various reasons, and most crashes are entirely avoidable. You could reduce your risk by making a conscious effort to avoid these common causes of motorcycle collisions.
1. Cars Turning Left
Almost half of all collisions between a motorcycle and another vehicle happen when the car makes a left turn. These crashes are prevalent at intersections and when motorcyclists overtake passenger cars.
Riders should be cautious when approaching intersections, even when they have the right of way.
2. Alcohol Use
Driving under the influence (DUI) is the leading cause of all traffic crashes. But statistically speaking, motorcycles have a disproportionately higher accident rate when the rider is DUI.
Statistics show that 30 percent of motorcyclists who die in collisions have a blood alcohol concentration (BAC) above 0.08.
Anyone in charge of a motor vehicle should have a BAC of less than 0.05. Else they are likely to be reckless and negligent, thus causing an accident.
3. Lane Splitting
Lane splitting is when a rider moves across lanes full of cars to avoid traffic. The maneuver can be risky because other motorists do not expect a rider to be approaching at a faster speed than the traffic flow.
A slight mistake can lead to a horrible accident leaving you with severe injuries or even death. In fact, most states do not allow lane splitting.
4. Road Hazards
Car drivers barely notice uneven road surfaces, railway tracks, or gravel on pavements. But motorcyclists should always be alert to such common road hazards.
Since motorcycles are smaller and less stable than cars, any irregularities and unexpected objects on the road can cause a bike to crash. Things as simple as leaves have the potential to topple a bike off and cause an accident.
5. Speeding
Speed is thrilling as far as motorcycles are concerned. But in case of an accident when speeding, your chances of survival are slim. The 2019 NHTSA study reported that 33 percent of riders involved in fatal motorcycle accidents were speeding.
Notably, young riders are more likely to die from motorcycle accidents resulting from speeding. In 2019, 50% of riders who died in accidents when speeding were aged between 21 and 24.
So, if you are a young enthusiast, it’s time to start riding at a reasonable pace.
How Can Motorcycle Riders Get Help After an Accident?
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident, you need help to recover fully. Seeking medical attention for injuries sustained is the first step to recovery.
But that doesn’t mean injuries from motorcycle accidents have to be physical. It’s possible to sustain psychological injuries such as post-traumatic stress disorder, which can significantly affect your life too. So, getting support during the recovery period is crucial.
Also, remember that you may have to take time off work during recovery and bear the cost of treatment. A severe injury may also leave you with life-long problems.
That’s why you should seek help from a personal injury lawyer specializing in motorcycle accidents if you have been involved in a motorcycle accident. Your lawyer will help you file a case and seek compensation for your damages, which will help settle your medical bills.
An experienced motorcycle accident lawyer will collect evidence about your crash, file the case within your state’s statute of limitations, and represent you in court. Through them, you can increase your chances of winning a case.
Have You Been Involved in a Motorcycle Accident? Get Legal Help Today!
Motorcycles are at high risk when on the road, especially compared to passenger car drivers with more protection. Fortunately, you can get help if you’ve been involved in a motorcycle accident.
An experienced motorcycle lawyer can help you get fair compensation for your injuries. At Legal Giant, we enjoy helping accident victims seek justice for their damages. Contact us today for a no-obligation consultation and review of your case.
