Motorcycles are incredibly popular – but they can also be incredibly dangerous to ride. With less protection and fewer safety features included on their vehicles, motorcyclists are much more vulnerable on the road than cars. As a result, motorcycle accidents can have devastating consequences. Whether you’re a biker or you’re a driver sharing the road with motorcyclists, review these statistics before you hit the road to fully understand the risks involved in motorcycle riding.
Motorcycle Injury and Fatality Statistics
Of the more than 8 million motorcycles being ridden in 2013, statistics indicate that, per mile, those riding motorcycles were approximately 26 times more likely to have a fatal accident than those in automobiles. Their rate of injury for motorcyclists was also 5 times higher than their counterparts in four-wheelers.
Despite these sobering statistics from the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), during the same year, motorcycle deaths actually declined. The fatality rate dropped over six percent (6%) to 4,668 from 2012, when the total deaths were 4,986.
The injury rate also declined during 2013, down to 5.3 percent (5.3%), with 88,000 injuries compared to the 93,000 in 2012. That is still quite high, however, when you consider that out of every 100,000 registered motorcycles in the United States, there were 56 fatal collisions in 2013. This is striking when compared to automobile statistics, which indicate that only 9 out of 100,000 drivers were involved in fatal crashes.
It is not likely that those figures will dissuade true aficionados from climbing astride their motorcycles and riding off into the sunset. Those over the age of 40 seem to fare the worst, as during the 9 years between 2004 and 2013, the death rate actually rose by thirty-nine percent (39%), in comparison to the overall rate of sixteen percent (16%). In fact, data supplied by the NHTSA shows that in 2013, fifty-five percent (55%) of those killed in accidents on motorcycles were 40 or older.
Part of the reason for the higher fatality rate in older riders is their tendency to suffer more critical injuries than younger motorcyclists. Studies done at Brown University attribute this to slower reaction times, age-related visual changes and the physical fragility that comes with aging. Older riders also tend to favor larger bikes that often tip over and injure the riders.
Those 60 and over were at 2.5 times the risk of suffering serious injury than the youngest riders. The older groups had more dislocations, broken bones and traumatic brain injuries, as well.
Alcohol played a big role in fatal crashes, to no one’s surprise. An impaired driver of an automobile at least has an armor of metal surrounding him or her, whereas a biker has nothing but leather and hopefully a helmet.
Injured in a Motorcycle Accident? Our Motorcycle Accident Attorneys Can Help!
If you or a loved one has been injured in a motorcycle accident, please contact Maynard Injury Law immediately. Our team of personal injury lawyers understand the unique legal issues affecting motorcyclists. As your motorcycle accident attorneys, we will work with you to help you to understand your rights and return to the road. Give us a call today at (800) 721-3553 or request a free case review to get started.
