Motorcyclists must wear the appropriate gear to ensure road safety from the crash.
Motorcycle accidents are one of the worst scenarios where protected riders end up in a crash.
In this article, I am going to provide you with a factual guide about motorcycle accident statistics.
Motorcycle Death Statistics
Motorcycle deaths are increasing each year which motorcycles are less visible than cars. With the over-representation on the road, the number of motorcycle deaths is rising each year.
According to the NHTSA, there are more than 89,000 motorcycle accidents each year and 4985 of the annual number of fatal motorcycle accidents in 2018. These numbers showed an increasing number of motorcycle crashes happening each year, which even the safest and well-protected riders end up in a crash.
In 2019, more than 5000 riders have died in a motorcycle crash, which leads to a whopping number of motorcycle deaths due to over-visibility on the road. Since riding a motorcycle is riskier than driving a car, riders must ensure to wear proper gear and ensure to wear a properly fitted helmet. This includes looking for a helmet that meets the safety standard of DOT.
Since riding a motorcycle poses to deaths, motorcyclists are 29 times more likely to suffer fatal injuries compare to drivers. According to the Insurance Information Institute, 45% of motorcycle accidents have resulted in more than a minor injury. With the growing number of riders wearing helmets, about 1872 riders have been saved from the crash.
To talk about the motorcycle accident statistics in the USA, Nevada has reported the highest motorcycle rates in 2016, which occurs around 22.6% of the total motorcycle fatalities while the lowest motorcycle fatalities in Alaska which account for just 7.1%. The reason behind these two huge numbers is due to the weather and condition in Nevada in which the place is hot all year round. Since riders enjoy motorcycle riding in summer seasons, they expose to more road hazards that lead to high motorcycle deaths.
Motorcycle VS. Car Accident Statistics
Motorcycle riding is more dangerous than car-driving which causes greater accident deaths to compare to fatal car accidents. Since riding a motorcycle is more representative and less visible, they are more prone to exposing different road hazards than driving a car.
Motorcycle and car accidents have similar road hazards that have been caused by alcohol or speeding. These two main things pose distractions from having to reach the destination safely. Other factors of road accidents including the use of mobile phones, speeding, and alcohol usage are the worst distractions that result in a fatal road crash.
Common Causes of Car Accidents
In the USA, more than 11 million car accidents are happening each year. This figure leads to common reasons that cause fatal car accidents on the road. The causes of these accidents are changing weather, road conditions, health emergencies and tire or brake failure.
Other common reasons mention below:
- Road distraction
Distraction is one of the most common reasons for car accidents, in which drivers stick to their mobile phones constantly, which results in a fatal crash. According to the National Safety Council, around 28% of all car accidents occur due to the constant use of mobile phones and texting, which is highly dangerous. This is because the brain cannot process the information coming from one than one source that causes a reaction to a road crash.
- Fatigue
Fatigue is another cause of car accidents as drivers fall asleep on the steering wheel. Between 2.5-3% of traffic fatalities in the US have been caused by driver fatigue and sleeping on the steering wheel.
- Alcohol or speeding
Alcohol and speeding are relatable to almost half of all car accidents.
- Aggressive driving
Aggressive driving is one of the most common causes of car accidents that have been linked to overspeeding. Aggressive tailgating, ignoring traffic signals, failure to yield the right way, and changing lanes frequently are the results of aggressive driving that lead to car accidents.
Common Causes of Motorcycle Accidents
Motorcycle accidents pose the same threats like car accidents due to the changing weather, road conditions, health emergencies, and tire puncture. However, other common reasons cause motorcycle accidents.
The common reasons mention below:
- Car making a left-hand turn
Motorcyclists are in danger when drivers take a left turn. About more than 42% of all traffic accidents involve cars and motorcycles taking a left turn. This is because the motorcycle might be stuck when going through an intersection, which riders try to pass the vehicle or overtake the car. In most cases, motorcycles try to pass a car within the same lane and the driver cannot see or expect the motorcycle maneuver.
- Lane splitting
Lane splitting is a contributing factor in motorcycle accidents. Motorcycle riding between two lanes is at a higher risk of a crash due to the reduced space for maneuvering. This is the fact that a driver does not anticipate a motorcycle passing through them in slow or stopped traffic.
- Speeding and alcohol use
Speeding and alcohol use are common in motorcycle accidents, which account for half of the riders.
- Collision with a fixed object
Collision with a fixed object is another cause of motorcycle accidents as bikers strike a fixed object that accounts for one-quarter of motorcycle deaths. Riders are unable to know if the object is further away and end up colliding with a fixed object. This is the major cause of motorcycle deaths.
- Roaduolist hazards
Motorcycles are small and less stable than cars which riders suffer uneven lane heights, slick roads, potholes, and hazards pose serious motorcycle crash. These unseen objects lead to motorcycle accidents.
Which Factors Lead to More Motorcycle Crashes Than the Others?
As mentioned earlier, motorcycle accidents are rising each year and there are common reasons why riders end up in a crash. Here I am going to unwrap the risk and causes behind motorcycle accidents.
The causes mention below:
Colliding with vehicles
Colliding with vehicles is one of the most common and dangerous situations of motorcycle accidents as most accidents either occur on side-impact or head-on collisions. This two account for the severe bike accidents that lead to severe damage or death. Side impacts are the most common motorcycle accidents where riders take the car’s blind spot.
This causes the bike to be too close to the car as the driver switches lanes. In 2013, around 51% involved in fatal crashes that suffered a collision.
Unmarked fixed objects
Unmarked fixed objects are another factor causing motorcycle accidents. At times, riders are unable to see a fixed object that results in a crash. This makes it one of the most common causes of motorcycle crashes than the others.
In case if there are unmarked fixed objects, roads must have hazard lights and a warning triangle to indicate any fixed object.
Left turns
Motorcycle accidents occur when drivers take a left turn, which motorcyclists try to pass the vehicle or overtake the car. In most cases, riders try to ride on the same lane which drivers cannot expect the motorcycle to maneuver.
About more than 21% of fatal bike accidents happen when both vehicles ride within the same lane.
Speeding
Motorcycle riding involves enjoying riding at the highest speed. It is no surprise riders love to ride at high speeds, which is all right to ride on a racing track but not on simple roads. Speed limits exist for a reason, which riders must stick to the speed limits to save from the crash.
Another thing that results in speeding is due to riders getting drunk that results in deaths.
Untrained riders
Untrained riders end up in a crash compare to professional riders. Riding a motorcycle requires skills and training to ride professionally. Not having proper bike training would result in a fatal road crash.
This cause of motorcycle accidents due to little to or no training at all.
Older riders
Most riders think that young motorcyclists are to blame for the crash. But the case is older riders can become groggy when riding on the road. The majority of riders think that they have all the experience they need so they can forget to alert other riders on the road.
According to NHTSA, around 55% of motorcycle accidents were 40+.
Days of the week
Motorcycle crashes happen on weekdays and weekends. This is the cause of riders commuting and weekdays cause rush hours that result in a crash.
Even riding on weekends might not be safer, around 52% of fatal motorcycle crashes happened on weekends.
Wrap Up
Here is the guide on motorcycle accident statistics where motorcycle crashes are increasing each year. Wearing the right gear and a properly fitted helmet will save you from the crash. Motorcycle riding is a fun activity but can be dangerous if you do not follow the precautions carefully.
These guides will benefit riders to ensure a safe ride and gear up properly to save from accidents. If you have not to think about what motorcycle riding would do to you, it is time to refer to these statistics to allow you to hit the road safely.
So read this guide and ride safely!
You can also read can you plug a motorcycle tire and best bar-end mirrors.