One of the most well-known biker quotes is “Doesn’t matter what you ride, give respect to get respect!” Every motorcyclist knows it and by far, the majority practice that advice.
Sadly though, most other car and truck drivers seem to lack respect, at least when it comes to avoiding motorcyclist death and injuries. In this article, we’re going to discuss five death statistics for motorcyclists and then talk about legal options in the event of an accident.
Five Thousand Motorcycle Deaths Per Year
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), over 5,000 motorcyclist deaths are reported every year, making biking one of the most dangerous ways to travel. While 5,000 is a scary number, keep in mind there are over eight million registered bikes in the United States. The majority of riders handle their bikes safely and we can’t emphasize that part enough!
Texas is One of the Worst States for Accidents
In 2019, there were over 400 motorcyclist death reports and 1,800 injuries in Texas. As one Texas motorcycle accident lawyer firm states, a bike fatality is 27 more times likely to occur than any other vehicle.
The most common injuries are to the leg and foot, followed by the head and neck of the driver. By now bikers realize that it’s important to remain visible at all times and drive defensively because they are already at a statistical disadvantage.
Multiple Vehicles are the Greatest Threat
According to The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), 39 percent of fatal bike accidents involved just one single vehicle. However, 61 percent involved multiple vehicle crashes. Motorcyclists not only have to keep their eyes on the road but also must assess the threat of multiple vehicles coming too close.
Helmets Decrease the Death Count
The CDC states that motorcycle helmets do save lives and reduce the risk of death by over 37 percent. One misconception is that motorcyclists are reckless or never wear helmets. This is not always the case. In 2020, the IIHS reported that 94 percent of bikers in states with strict helmet laws wore helmets. Even in states where there are no universal laws, 60 percent still wore helmets for their own protection.
Cars Cause Most Bike Fatalities
Chances of dying on a motorcycle increase on the freeway, where chances of a multicar accident also increase. In fact, car collisions cause an estimated 30-50 percent of all motorcycle deaths according to the NHTSA. The most common causes of car-related motorcycle deaths include:
- Car drivers underestimating the distance
- Car drivers not checking their blind spot
- Pulling out before a motorcycle can safely turn
- Passing a motorcycle
- Bumping into a motorcycle from behind
- Entering two different lanes
Everyone on the road should remember that motorcycles cannot drive exactly like cars. There are differences in speed, size, distance, and braking power to consider.
Contacting a Motorcyclist Death Lawyer
If you have experienced an incident with motorcyclist death or injury, you may be entitled to medical compensation, wrongful death damages, as well as pain and suffering.
Getting help for motorcyclist death may be as simple as making one phone call or sending an email to a local law firm. Talking to a lawyer doesn’t cost anything and may give the surviving family peace of mind.