There are currently more than 8.3 million registered motorcycles in the United States and is increasing every year with more and more riders getting their motorcycle license. Taking your bike out on the road is a great way to get out and about and explore lesser-known parts of the country.
Unfortunately, a large number of fatal motorcycle crashes occur on America's roads every year. These can result in fatal crashes or leave riders with serious, life-long injuries. Even while adhering to the rules of motorcycle safety from the highway traffic safety administration, there are certain circumstances out on the road that are hard to predict.
So just how dangerous is it to ride a motorcycle in America? Read on to find out the percentage of motorcycle accidents that occur each year and what to do if you are involved in one.
What is the Rate of Motorcycle Accidents?
Each year there are around 89,000 motorcycle accidents on roads across America. Based on the number of registered motorcyclists this means that just over 1% of them will be involved in motorcycle accidents each year.
However, as any motorcycle crash lawyer will tell you, a large number of minor crashes will not be reported. So the actual figures are probably higher than this.
Of these reported, more than 5,000 will be fatal accidents and the rest will result in severe injuries.
What are the Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents?
A number of things can cause motorcycle crashes. The most common are crashes involving drunk driving, as we know that a high blood alcohol concentration impairs drivers’ reaction times to various road conditions, which increases the chances of collisions and fatality rate.
Even without driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, head-on collisions with other vehicles are common among motorcycle riders. This is because motorcyclists are able to maneuver around passenger cars on the road more easily. However, at the wrong moment, this can put them in the way of other traffic or objects on the road.
Other vehicles ignoring traffic signals or distracted driving and making left turns can also cause serious issues for motorcyclists while on the road. If a vehicle fails to notice a motorcycle rider who is going straight or passing before they turn this can cause a serious collision.
When this happens, the turning car enters the motorcyclist's path suddenly. This type of collision accounts for a large number of motorcycle deaths on the roads.
Exceeding the speed limit is another common cause of motorcycle crashes. When this happens, the excess speed reduces the amount of time that most riders have to react to other road users and vice versa. High-speed accidents often result severe injuries or fatalities because of the force with which the vehicles collide.
Obviously, the circumstances of each motorcycle crash on the roads will be different, even with these common factors.
A lot of the time, motorcyclists that are involved in a fatal accident are the result of other road users driving dangerously. That said, motorcyclists driving under the influence or exceeding the speed limits can endanger the lives of other vehicles around them.
How Does a Motorcycle Accident Compare to Car Accident?
Of course, motorcycle riders are not the only people that can be involved in accidents on the road. Cyclists, passenger vehicles, larger vehicles, and even pedestrians are all at risk while using the road. So, how do motorcycle accidents compare to other motor vehicle crashes?
Motorcycle fatalities make up around 14% of all traffic-related deaths in America. This might not seem like a high figure. However, when you consider the number of motorcyclists on the road versus the number of other road users, this shines a new light on the figures.
In fact, a motorcycle rider is 35 times more likely to be involved in a fatal crash than people using another motor vehicle. This is because they simply have less protection during a crash compared to other road users and more susceptible to dangerous weather conditions. The injuries sustained by motorcycle riders during crashes also tend to be more severe such as head injury, road rash, broken bones, or other fatal injuries.
How Can Motorcycle Riders Get Help After an Accident?
If you have been involved in a motorcycle accident on the road then it is important to get help with your recovery.
Of course, you should seek medical attention or head to the emergency room as soon as possible to address any serious injuries and organize treatment. It is important to note that some of the motorcycle accident injuries are not just physical.
Psychological injuries, such as post-traumatic stress disorder, can have a huge impact on your life as well. So it is important to get support recovering emotionally from your accident as well.
During your recovery period, you may have to take time off work and pay expensive medical expenses. Your accident may also have a big impact on your long-term health and personal relationships.
This is why it is important to get help from a motorcycle accident lawyer if you have been involved in a motorcycle crash. They will help you to seek compensation for your accident. This can cover the cost of your medical bills and provide financial relief so that you can focus on getting better.
An experienced lawyer will support you by collecting evidence about your crash, meeting essential deadlines, and representing your interest in court or legal meetings. They will also be able to provide valuable legal advice with the best way to move forward with your case and insurance claim throughout the process.
Get Support Today
As you can see, motorcyclists are at significant risk when on the road, especially from a passenger car driver that has more protection in place. Fortunately, help is at hand if you have been involved in a motorcycle accident on the road.
A motorcycle accident attorney can help get you valuable financial compensation for your injuries. So if you have been an injured rider on the road, get in touch today for a free consultation. We get justice for motorcycle accident victims.