Riders and drivers alike can agree that safety should always be a priority. Accidents can happen anywhere and at any time, but the severity and likelihood of said accident depend significantly on which mode of transport you decide to use.
Motorcycle riders are at a much greater risk for serious injury or death than individuals on other modes of transport. Although statistics indicate that motorcycle deaths are falling, this transport option is still significantly more dangerous than other means. So what is it about motorcycles that make them so perilous?
Listed below are some motorcycle death statistics that can give you an idea of how dangerous this form of transport is.
Motorcycle Fatality Statistics
Motorcycle death statistics show that every year an average of 4,502 people are killed, and over 88,000 are injured due to motorcycle crashes in the United States. Of these fatalities, most of the victims are riders rather than passengers, almost half of the fatalities are the result of single-vehicle accidents, and most of the victims are male.
Unhelmeted riders are four times as likely to be killed compared to riders wearing helmets, and speeding is an undeniable factor in 37 percent of all fatal motorcycle crashes.
It can also be seen that most fatalities occur during weekends and summer months and that half of all motorcycle crashes occur in rural areas. Overall, it’s clear that motorcycle fatalities occur mainly due to negligence and lack of proper precautions.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics by State
Motorcycle death statistics by state can be illuminating when looking at motorcycle safety. In the US, over 5,000 people died in motorcycle accidents in 2019 alone and an additional 104,000 were injured. This can be broken down even further when we look at the statistics state by state.
In some states, the number of deaths was two times higher than in others. For example, California and Florida suffered the most deaths with over 500, while Wyoming, Arkansas, and South Dakota had the lowest, with less than 20.
Although some states have higher death and injury statistics than others, hospitals in each state reported a similar, if not an increased, number of admitted patients from motorcycle-related accidents. This indicates that although deaths may be spreading throughout the country, rider safety and injury risks are still ever-present.
While the need for satisfaction is still present for riders, legislators must take a serious look at the legal ramifications of allowing motorcycling, with an emphasis put on safety and legal enforcement.
For victims and their families, engaging more about motorcycle accident lawyer may be the best way to gain justice and the peace of mind that comes with it.
Motorcycle Helmet Use Statistics
Motorcycle death statistics paint a grim picture of the dangers of motorcycle riding and the importance of proper helmet use when riding. In 2018 alone, 4,985 riders lost their life due to motorcycle accidents in the United States.
Of those fatalities, 1,837 riders were not wearing a helmet. Additionally, in 2018, helmets were estimated to have reduced the risk of death by 37% and the risk of head injury by 69%. Unfortunately, only 47% of riders operating in the United States in 2018 reported regularly wearing a helmet.
Studies have found that states with universal helmet laws, whereby all riders are legally required to wear one, have a 28% lower fatality rate than states with no helmet laws.
Further, a study conducted in 2018 showed that 95% of riders reported the use of a helmet when operating their motorcycle. This is a clear testament to the importance of wearing a helmet and its effectiveness in reducing the fatality rate resulting from motorcycle accidents.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics by Demographic
Motorcycle death statistics reveal a clear gender gap when it comes to motorcycle fatalities. Men account for ninety-six percent of all motorcyclists killed in motorcycle crashes. Men also account for ninety-eight percent of all motorcyclists impaired by alcohol or drugs when killed in a crash.
In terms of age, younger motorcyclists (aged 16-29) account for a disproportionate number of motorcycle fatalities, accounting for forty-two percent of all deaths. The highest fatality risk appears to be experienced by riders aged 40 years or older, who account for forty-three percent of all fatalities.
Regionally, the majority of motorcycle deaths tend to occur in the western United States, though this is partly attributed to the higher percentage of motorcycles located in these regions.
Motorcycle accident statistics by demographic reveal that there is an unequal distribution of risk when it comes to motorcycle fatalities, with young men, older men, and west coast riders being particularly at risk.
Motorcycle Accident Statistics Over Time
Motorcycle death statistics have steadily increased over the past several years, even as overall traffic fatalities have continued to decline. The most recent statistics from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) show that in 2016, 5,286 motorcycle riders and passengers were killed in crashes – a 5.1 percent increase over 2015’s total of 5,029 deaths.
Furthermore, motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to death in traffic accidents, since they are not protected in the way that drivers and passengers in automobiles are.
In 2016, motorcyclists accounted for 14 percent of all traffic fatalities and 28 percent of all fatalities involving a single vehicle, even though motorcycles only made up 3 percent of all registered vehicles in the United States.
Motorcyclists are at greater risk of injury or death in a crash due to the lack of protection that a car provides and this is evident in the increase in motorcycle death statistics over time.
National Fatality Data
Motorcycle fatalities are often cited as a major public safety concern. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s Fatality Data System provides a legal look at the number of fatalities per year.
In 2018, there were 4,985 motorcyclist fatalities, accounting for 14 percent of total highway deaths. Most fatalities occurred as a result of single-vehicle crashes; however, more than half of all fatal crashes involved more than one vehicle.
In addition to the motorcyclist, other drivers and passengers were also involved in the accidents that resulted in fatalities. Factors such as alcohol, speed, and not wearing a helmet are linked to the majority of motorcycle deaths.
The motorcycle death statistics provide insightful information to the legal field, allowing for the implementation of strategies that can help reduce the number of fatal accidents.
Learn All About Motorcycle Death Statistics
In conclusion, motorcycle death statistics are a complex and unfortunate reality.
With proper safety precautions and training, we can all help reduce the number of fatal motorcycle accidents and continue to enjoy the freedoms of the road. Take steps to educate yourself and others and help make all roads a safer place.
