Motorcycle Accident Statistics for Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month
Motorcycle riders are overrepresented in fatal traffic crashes with a higher fatality rate than drivers. The numbers are stark, with approximately 25 fatalities per 100 million miles of travel on a motorcycle compared to 0.80 fatalities per 100 million miles of passenger car travel.
Motorcycle accident statistics
- Motorcycles represent only three percent of registered vehicles but they account for 14 percent of traffic-related fatalities.
- A motorcycle driver is 27 times more likely to die in a crash than a car driver and 80 percent of all motorcycle crashes result in injury or death compared to 20 percent of all passenger car accidents.
- In 2019, 5,014 motorcyclists died in motorcycle crashes.
- Motorcyclists are also at an increased risk for single-vehicle accidents; 34 percent of motorcycle accidents do not involve any other vehicle compared to only 14 percent of car crashes.
May is Motorcycle Safety Awareness Month and it makes sense with the northern states entering the warm weather season. Many riders will be getting back out onto the road this month so it’s a great time to remind motorcyclists and drivers to be aware of each other and get good at sharing the road in order to prevent motorcycle accidents involving cars. Read on for motorcycle safety tips from NHTSA.
Motorcycle safety
The number one safety issue for motorcycles is vehicles not seeing them. It is vital for drivers to check their blind spots and mirrors and use their turn signals every time they change lanes or want to pass another vehicle. In addition, drivers should be extra careful to avoid distractions such as cell phone use during motorcycle season.
Riders can help to protect themselves by taking a defensive driving course and wearing protective gear including a DOT-compliant motorcycle helmet (learn more about choosing the right helmet), gloves and full-body clothing made of leather or heavy denim. Other safety tips include:
- Making themselves as visible as possible. Wearing brightly colored clothes with reflective material and/or adding reflective material to your motorcycle is the best way to make yourself more visible to drivers.
- Being aware of your surroundings is also key when you are riding a motorcycle as road hazards and bad weather conditions can be especially dangerous to motorcyclists.
- Never, ever, riding while intoxicated.*
- Obeying traffic lights, signs, speed limits, and lane markings.*
- Riding with the flow of traffic and leaving enough space between your bike and other vehicles.
*Almost half of motorcycle accidents were as a result of speeding or riding while intoxicated.
Sources:
https://www.iii.org/fact-statistic/facts-statistics-motorcycle-crashes https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/812785# https://one.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/motorcycle/motorcycle03/index.htm https://carsurance.net/blog/motorcycle-accidents/
Motorcycle accidents involving a car
If you have been injured in an accident with a car while riding, it is vital to report the accident to the police, file a police report immediately and to seek prompt medical treatment. Document and preserve the evidence from the scene of the accident if you are able and keep receipts and transcripts from all resulting medical care. You should also notify your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible but do not speak to the at-fault insurance agency or accept a settlement without first speaking with a motorcycle accident attorney.
If you have lost a loved one or been injured through no fault of your own, you have enough on your plate. Let an experienced accident attorney fight for the justice and fair compensation that you deserve. It is not uncommon to receive a settlement from the insurance company that is five to ten times larger with the help of a lawyer. Call the caring, tireless and experienced wrongful death attorneys at Tario & Associates, P.S. in Bellingham, WA today for a FREE consultation! We have been representing residents of Whatcom County, Skagit County and surrounding areas since 1979. You will pay nothing up front and no attorney fees at all unless we recover damages for you!
