Getting help after injuries from a motorcycle accident

Motorcycle accidents: Who’s affected? 

To avoid serious motorcycle injury, ride like your life depends on it.

Motorcycles are serious fun, and seriously dangerous. Some 6,000 motorcyclists were killed on U.S. roads and highways in 2021.

The chances of a fatality in a motorcycle accident are approximately 30 times higher than in a car. Motorcycle accidents have a staggering 80% injury or death rate, while car accidents remain around 20%.

Motorcycle accidents change the lives of the families of those killed and result in catastrophic injuries to bikers and passengers who survive an accident. Because these wrecks are frequently tallied up to driver error, you may want to seek help in recovering compensation for such mitigating factors as roads in disrepair, defective equipment and other drivers who played a part in the accident.

Wisdom on the road

No matter who churns the numbers, the conclusion is always the same: road biking kills. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA),13 out of every 100,000 cars are involved in a fatal accident, compared to 72 out of 100,000 motorcycles. The numbers also reveal that steps can be taken to avoid accidents.

The best way to avoid catastrophe is to ride defensively, and follow the rules of the road and of the U.S. Department of Transportation.

• Get a license. A motorcycle license and a clean driving record is proof to courts that you know the laws and take your responsibility seriously. Driving without one breaks the law and compounds your legal problems when you are in an accident. Even so, more than a third of motorcycle riders involved in fatal crashes in 2021 were riding without a valid motorcycle license.

• Buy insurance. Rates vary for types of policies from state to state. Know what you are buying, and buy the best you can afford. Look for liability, comprehensive protection for your bike and accessories, new motorcycle replacement coverage, 24-hour services, accident forgiveness and other features that will provide the basics for you, your passengers, and your family. Some companies provide discounts for multiple bikes, to veterans, and to persons who take motorcycle safety classes. Most require you to show a valid motorcycle license.

• Drive sober. Some 43% of motorcycle drivers and passengers who died in single-bike crashes in 2021 were drunk. Motorcycle riders killed in crashes at night were three times more frequently found to be alcohol-impaired than those killed during the day (42% and 16%) in 2021.

• Ride sober. Alcohol-impaired passengers can lose their grip or balance, pass out, fall off or distract the driver. Some 296 of fatalities in 2021were passengers.

• Wear a helmet. Wear a helmet even if you aren’t required to. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, motorcycle helmet use saves more than 1,800 lives each year. In states without universal helmet laws, 55% of motorcyclists killed in 2021 were not wearing helmets, compared to 9% in states with helmet laws.

Dress for success

Make sure your helmet has a valid U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) label; the label means the helmet meets the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, also known as the FMVSS 218 standard. Novelty helmets without this label may not meet the same standard and will not provide the best protection needed in a crash.

Check the fit of your helmet to ensure optimal protection.

Wear protective gear like a sturdy jacket, pants, boots, and gloves; such gear may provide protection in case of falls or crashes and improve comfort during the ride.

Make yourself visible by using high-visibility colors and reflective materials to maximize the ability of drivers to see you.

Who gets hurt

People 55 and older accounted for 23% of motorcycle accidents in 2020. The average age of those killed in 2020 was 43.

According the NHTSA, more than half of the motorcycles fatal crashes were collisions with other motor vehicles.

In two-vehicle fatal crashes, 76% of the motorcycles were struck in the front. Only 7% were struck in the rear.

Motorcycles were more frequently involved in fatal collisions with fixed objects than other vehicle types. In 2020, 25% of motorcycles involved in fatal crashes in 2020 collided with fixed objects, compared to 18% for passenger cars, 14% for light trucks, and 5% for large trucks.

In 2020 there were 2,741 fatal two-vehicle crashes involving a motorcycle and another type of vehicle. In 1,158 of these crashes (42%), the other vehicles were turning left while the motorcycles were going straight, passing, or overtaking other vehicles. Both vehicles were going straight in 575 crashes (21%).

From approximately 2016 through 2020, some 500 fatalities were on motorcycles with engine sizes up to 50cc. Fatalities on motorcycles with engine sizes between 501 and 1,000 cc numbered 1,883. There were 1,247 fatalities on motorcycles with engine sizes between 1,001 and 1,500 cc, while the number of motorcyclists killed on motorcycles with engine sizes 1,501 cc or higher increased by 22% to 1,416.

Some 34% percent of all fatal motorcycle accidents crashes in 2020 were caused by speeding, compared to 22% for passenger car drivers, 16% for light-truck drivers, and 7% for large-truck drivers. Most bike speeding crashes were among riders 25 to 29 years old.

Car and truck drivers: Give ’em a chance

Motorcyclists have the same road rights as other vehicles, but they depend far more on reflexes, skills, eyesight and judgment with virtually none of the protection afforded by a car, and with no room for even the smallest mistake.

It is up to you as a car or truck driver to:

• Always be on the lookout for motorcyclists.
• Check your blind spots carefully.
• Be aware that a motorcycle’s size and narrow profile can make it difficult to judge its distance and speed.
• Take extra care when turning or merging.
• Keep a safe distance from the motorcycle in front of you; motorcyclists can slow their motorcycles by downshifting instead of using their brakes. This means the brake lights won’t come on.
• Remember that motorcyclists sometimes change positions in their lane to avoid debris on the road.

Join a motorcycle action lawsuit investigation

Courts and insurance companies play a big role in your life and the life of your family if you are injured or a loved one killed in a devastating motorcycle accident. You may want help navigating the system.

Please fill out the form on this page to see if you qualify for a FREE case evaluation.