What Percent of Motorcycle Accidents Result in Death?
Motorcycle riders come of all ages. According to MoneyGeek, the age group of twenty-five to thirty-nine made up the largest share of fatal motorcycle crashes in 2020. The number of fatalities accounted for thirty-six percent of all crashes. Those aged 50 and older were also disproportionately represented. Furthermore, about half of all fatal motorcycle crashes occurred over the weekend, from 6 p.m. on Friday to 5:59 a.m. Monday.
(Looking for a Car Accident Lawyer? Contact us Today! Click here: Auto Injury Attorney)
80%
Motorcycle accidents are a leading cause of death in the United States. Almost half of all motorcycle crashes end in death. The main cause of these crashes is loss of control on a curve or bend in the road. According to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration statistics, more than seventy percent of motorcycle fatalities occur in head-on collisions with other vehicles. In many cases, this occurs because another vehicle failed to see the motorcycle and failed to react in time.
Speeding
The speed of a motorcyclist is a major contributing factor to motorcycle accidents resulting in death. Compared to car drivers, motorcyclists are more likely to die in motorcycle wrecks when they’re speeding, and nearly two-thirds of fatal motorcycle wrecks involved a driver who was speeding. Motorcycles don’t have many safety features, so they’re vulnerable to high-speed collisions. Furthermore, speeding can make people less aware of their surroundings and less able to react to the changing conditions of the road.
Collisions with fixed objects
Motorcycle accidents involving fixed objects are a significant cause of death and injuries. These crashes can happen for a variety of reasons, including speeding, distracted driving, and alcohol. Other factors can also contribute to the occurrence of these crashes, including inclement weather and poor road conditions. These factors can also result in motorcyclists losing control and colliding with parked or stalled cars, trees, traffic barriers, and other fixed objects.
Alcohol-impaired driving
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) tracks the number of fatal motorcycle crashes, and alcohol is a major factor in many of them. In 2018, over twenty-four percent of motorcycle fatalities involved a driver who was under the influence of alcohol. Additionally, motorcycle fatalities are significantly higher than other types of vehicle crashes. As a result, it’s important to be extra careful when you’re on the road.
Other factors
While the primary cause of death in motorcycle accidents is a collision with another vehicle, other factors also play a role. Motorcycles are smaller than automobiles, which makes them much more vulnerable to being ejected in an accident. Also, motorcycles can be more difficult to see than a car and it can be difficult to gauge their speed.
Most common places for fatal crashes
The most common places for fatal motorcycle crashes are rural areas and non-interstate highways. In 2012, nearly nine out of ten fatal motorcycle crashes occurred on non-interstate roads. These roads are typically used by travelers and commuters, but motorcycle riders often ride for fun.