Few vehicles provide the adrenaline-pumping freedom that motorcycles offer. From customization to maintenance and convenience, motorcycles have been every adventure seeker’s best friend.
But just like everything, motorcycles come with their fair share of risks. Motorcyclists are particularly vulnerable to catastrophic injuries when involved in an accident. In addition to other vehicles, even minor obstructions can turn a relaxing ride into a trip to the emergency room.
Knowledge about motorcycle accidents will go a long way toward avoiding them. Remember, you can claim compensation if the accident was caused by someone else’s negligence by filing a claim. You should know that resolving motorcycle accident claims can take some time. However, hiring a motorcycle accident lawyer can accelerate this process quite a bit.
1. Motorcyclists account for 14% of all traffic fatalities
This is a rather depressing statistic, mainly because motorcycles take up only 3% of all registered vehicles. These numbers are for 2021. Despite having a relatively small presence on the road, their huge contribution to the overall accident numbers is a concern.
There are numerous reasons why motorcycle accidents happen. Some of the common reasons include:
- Reckless driving
- Driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Rough weather conditions
- Road hazards
2. Half of all fatal motorcycle accidents happened at night
The numbers are very close when it comes to motorcycle accidents and the time of day. 50.44% of all motorcycle accidents happened at night, while 48.92% happened during the daytime.
Avoid riding at night if possible. If circumstances force you to ride, consider the tips below:
- Wear reflective or high-visibility clothing
- Consider opting for LED lights over incandescent ones
- Installing a headlight modulator that highlights your motorcycle
- Avoid dark, tinted visors and glasses
3. 6% of motorcycle accident victims were sober
Motorcyclists seem to be fairly disciplined compared to car drivers when it comes to DUI. The statistics reflect that. But the fact that sober riders are losing their lives in motorcycle accidents is problematic.
Operating a motor vehicle under the influence of alcohol is an issue that is not limited to US roads. Irresponsible riders prefer to get on their vehicles after a couple of drinks, unmindful of the impact they have on the road. Here are some ways alcohol affects a rider:
- Poor judgment skills
- Loss of coordination
- Vision issues
- Lower reaction times
- Loss of balance
- Perception problems
4. Single-vehicle accidents accounted for 38.82% of all motorcycle deaths in 2021
Of all the fatal motorcycle accidents in 2021, 38.82% involved just the motorcycle, while 53.25% involved two vehicles.
Motorcycle accidents that don’t involve any other vehicles are called no-contact accidents. In these types of accidents, external elements often force the rider to leave the motorcycle. These external elements are usually other cars that blindside the rider, who will
- Swerve the motorcycle and ride into the path of another vehicle or into oncoming lanes
- Lay their motorcycle down and jump off it, putting them in the path of traffic
Both of these situations may not end well for the rider.
5. 62% of fatal motorcycle accidents happened in clear weather
A good chunk of fatal motorcycle accidents happening under clear skies is an indication that the weather had nothing to do with motorcycle accidents, at least in 2021. Either the motorcyclists themselves are at fault or the fellow drivers didn’t follow the best practices when hitting the road.
2021 also saw rain take responsibility for 1.72% of the total fatalities.
Conclusion
You just read 5 statistics related to motorcycle accidents. There are numerous reasons why accidents may happen. It’s the rider’s responsibility to keep an eye out for hazardous elements and react as required.
The statistics in this article prove that even experienced riders may end up in accidents for no fault of theirs. When this happens, the best course of action is to hire a lawyer. They’ll do what’s required to make sure that the victim receives fair compensation.
